Why Cayman?
The Cayman Islands is recognized as one of the most respected and leading international financial centres in the world. When it comes to international insurance business, the Cayman Islands is the preferred jurisdiction due to our high level of success. As a world leader, the Cayman Islands has earned the position of being number 1 worldwide for healthcare captives. Also, Cayman is the 2nd largest captive insurance centre. Overall, the Cayman Islands is established as being the only offshore international financial centre to possess such diversity in financial services.
Why Lainston?
Lainston differs from others because of our direct and personalized service approach for clients. As a small firm of offshore independent directors and a privately held company, client confidentiality and privacy are assured. Lainston specializes in assisting both corporate and individual clients with corporate, trust, investment, risk management, insurance, and broking solutions to help them realize their business and private wealth goals. Our track record of success has lead corporations, institutions and high-net-worth families from all over the world to trust us with the establishment and management of their offshore business structures.
Our Services
Company Incorporation and Formation
Company incorporation and formation in the Cayman Islands is a quick process. A company can generally be set-up through our offshore incorporation services within 24 hours.
Working under the Cayman Islands Companies Management Law, Lainston registers all types of allowable entity formations including exempt companies, foreign companies, ordinary resident companies and ordinary non-resident companies. Our team handles document preparation (e.g. the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association), communication with regulatory offices, licensing fees and all statutory filings.
Lainston also assists with due diligence requirements mandated by the country’s anti-money laundering regulations. We can coordinate the process of obtaining bank references, address verifications, recommendation letters and other support documentation.
Cayman incorporation also requires that a physical location be designated for all businesses. Lainston, therefore, provides its company incorporation clients with registered office services to expedite the incorporation process.
Registered Office
Under the Cayman Islands Companies Law, all companies registered in the country must maintain a physical presence via a registered office. Additionally, all resident companies and non-resident companies must maintain a register of past and present members that is kept at the registered office. Lainston helps clients adhere to these aspects of the law by providing reliable registered office facilities to accompany its offshore incorporation services.
As a company’s registered office that acts as a local agent, we provide a Cayman Islands address where postal mail can be received and forwarded. We also maintain and provide storage for critical company records such as the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, contracts, trademarks and intellectual property materials. We also display the company name in the office and maintain the Register of Members, Register of Directors and Officers, and Register of Mortgages and Charges.
Insurance Management
Offshore insurance captives are cost-effective alternative risk programs. When home coverage is not available or rates are expensive, Cayman captives provide parent companies, affiliates, mutual companies, funds, insurance brokers, associations and other industry-based groups a viable insurance solution. Thanks to their flexible nature, Cayman captives allow for the design of custom insurance platforms that meet even the most complex needs. Another key benefit of offshore insurance captives is the ability to lower costs through the reduction of claim administration and income tax. Offshore insurance captives also enable parent companies to generate profits through the accrual of investment income.
At Lainston, we help clients navigate all aspects of Cayman insurance management. From structure formation and establishment to the ongoing, everyday needs of Cayman captive management, we guide clients through the intricate aspects of ownership, capitalization, underwriting, claims control and taxation. Our Cayman captive management services encompass single parent captives, group captives, association captives, rent-a-captives and rent-a-captive segregated portfolio companies, among others. Lainston is a licensed insurance manager that is regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA).
Provision of Non-Executive Independent Directors
Lainston offers independent director services for offshore funds and investment management companies. Our provision of non-executive independent directors work for only a select number of hedge funds and mutual funds at any given time. This ensures that our clients receive the resources and personal attention their individual situations require.
Our provision of non-executive independent directors are impartial and autonomous. As such, they are detached from management and free from relationships that present a conflict of interest. This leaves them well-positioned to act in a manner that supports the company’s best interests. Thanks to our team’s relevant fund industry experience, we are able to provide our clients with independent directors that take a skilled, proactive approach to meeting the specialised needs of offshore funds and business structures.
Lainston’s non-executive directors participate in board meetings, review company management and offer counsel on critical corporate governance areas to enhance business operations. They ensure that industry best practices are followed, high standards of corporate governance are maintained, and that governance actions support the interests of company investors, regulators, creditors and other involved parties.
Physical Presence
Cayman family office structures are the preferred choice for many private wealth owners. As affluent families seek diversification and cross-border investment opportunities, they also need world-class strategies and proactive portfolio management to maintain wealth for generations to come.
At Lainston, we provide support for sophisticated, multi-asset class portfolios. We offer portfolio structure consultation, cash management and portfolio accounting. This includes analytics for asset classes, positions, performance and risk. Our expert team also helps clients create advantageous, inter-generational offshore family offices in the form of single-family office and multi-family office structures. Whether our clients require private trust companies, foundations, family limited partnerships, charitable or non-charitable trusts, we offer complete solutions that range from formation to governance. We also help each generation plan for the next by providing comprehensive succession plans and implementation.
For situations where business is being conducted across a number of countries, our Cayman serviced office solutions help centralize international operations. Lainston’s offshore serviced offices provide an ideal location for headquarter operations thanks to our full suite of virtual business services. From mail and phone support to document preparation and company administration, our Cayman serviced offices enable offshore family offices to have a facility in the Cayman Islands. Our offshore serviced offices can also handle all company incorporation requirements as well as registration for assets such as yachts, ships and aircraft.
Business Incubation
When physical offshore presence is needed, Lainston’s support staff and local network can get a business up and running fast. Our knowledgeable team assists clients in finding suitable office locations by leveraging our Cayman Islands real estate relationships. We then work with telecommunications companies, IT providers, furniture suppliers and others to bring full functionality to the office space. Lainston also obtains any local licenses that may be required.
To staff an office with the best employees, Lainston can project manage large or small scale human resource initiatives. Our business incubation services achieve this by working with recruitment agencies and placing advertisements for local staff. We then conduct initial interviews and background checks. Other human resources services we offer include contracts, payroll operations, and employee relations and mediation.
From basic consulting on physical business establishment to full local office support, Lainston simplifies the process of having a Cayman serviced office when corporate executives and companies are located in other parts of the world. Our business establishment services also include maintenance of all company administration and record keeping, coordination of required board meetings, provision of offshore directors to handle daily business operations and registered office services.
Corporate Secretarial Services
Once offshore structures are established, the Lainston team provides comprehensive corporate secretarial services and company administration services to ensure they remain compliant with all aspects of the law. Whether dealing with Cayman trusts, Cayman funds or other types of Cayman incorporation vehicles, our team maximizes a thorough expertise of the country’s laws and requirements to keep our clients in good legal and financial standing with Cayman regulatory bodies.
A key component of the Lainston corporate secretarial services and company administration services includes the maintenance of company records and completion of all mandatory filings. We also provide systematic board meeting documentation, agendas and meeting minutes for annual/quarterly meetings, and correspondence materials for company stakeholders. To stay abreast of policy changes in regulation, we evaluate the Cayman legislative environment on an ongoing basis, and develop strategies and action plans for compliance with all new Cayman statutory codes. From the provision of nominee shareholders to registered offices, our team handles share transfer forms, yearly payments to the Registrar of Companies, business license renewals, land title transfers and more. A one-stop shop, the Lainston team also acts as a liaison between lawyers, regulators, tax advisors and auditors to give our clients a full service way to do business in the Cayman Islands.
Corporate Structuring
The Cayman Islands is a preferred destination among managers looking to form alternative investment funds offshore. Whilst these can take the shape of corporate entities, unit trusts, or limited partnerships, the vehicle used has important implications for the ultimate success of the fund. Structured vehicles may inhibit or attract investors based on levels of familiarity with the types of structures.
Whether creating a new structure or restructuring an existing entity, Lainston has the expertise to help you identify the corporate structure that will help you operate most efficiently. We assist in structure design for exempted companies, exempted limited partnerships, segregated portfolio companies and feeder fund structures. Our strategic counsel on costs, taxation, regulation, fund raising and stock exchange considerations arms our clients with the tools and best practices they need to maximize the corporate structuring process.
Hedge Fund Formation
The Cayman Islands are the world’s leading jurisdiction for offshore hedge funds. These Cayman funds are an ideal choice for several reasons. For investors, regulation is beneficial thanks to the country’s tax neutrality and straightforward fund laws. For funds, the costs involved in setting-up a new fund are inexpensive in comparison to other jurisdictions. New entities can also be up and running in a matter of days.
Hedge funds seeking to tap into international investor pools can benefit from Lainston’s offshore fund services. Our highly skilled team helps managers establish offshore versions of their funds to facilitate global investor participation. By working with onshore teams, including legal and accounting advisors, we are able to deliver comprehensive strategies for setting-up appropriate structures for each fund manager’s unique requirements. This includes structuring and establishment of offshore hedge funds, private equity funds, funds of funds, limited partnerships, unit trusts, feeder funds and segregated portfolio companies.
Our Cayman funds fiduciary services team also provides required office support for every day administration through our registered office and corporate secretarial services. We liaise with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), provide legal administration, and offer auditing and reporting coordination and support. Lainston provides offshore non-executive directors to hedge funds as well. As independent directors and trustees, our Cayman directors help offshore funds maintain high standards when it comes to corporate governance.
Special Purpose Vehicles
Cayman Special Purpose Vehicles offer many benefits when it comes to isolating financial risk in the financing of new projects and the acquisition of assets. Thanks to a flexible legal and regulatory framework, no licenses are required. Since capital can be raised off of balance sheets, the activities of Cayman Special Purpose Vehicles can, in certain instances, be protected against creditor claims. Well-structured Special Purpose Vehicles can also enhance a parent or holding company’s balance sheet as they may not be required to include the new entity’s debt. In certain cases, Special Purpose Vehicles can also minimize taxation requirements outside of the Cayman Islands.
Lainston’s experienced team facilitates asset acquisition, securitisation and leasing through our establishment and management services for Cayman Special Purpose Vehicles. We assist clients in raising capital for multi-jurisdictional projects by utilizing trust and corporate structures. Most common among these are exempted companies, which are not subject to capital gains, income or corporation tax. To ensure independence from a parent or holding company, Lainston also offers a range of corporate administration and registered office services.
Restructuring & Liquidation
Lainston carries out restructurings and liquidations of all types. We assist solvent entities with restructuring that enables takeovers and mergers as well as those entities that need to close their operations quickly and efficiently, whilst adhering to Cayman Islands laws. We help operations wind-down by guiding companies and hedge funds through the Cayman process for voluntary liquidations and strike offs.
To carry out a voluntary liquidation in the Cayman Islands, a company must fit the mandated criteria for solvency. This means the company can pay all debts plus interest for up to a year, or that it receives support from an outside entity. Alternatively, if an entity has never traded, or has not traded for at least two years, it may request to strike the company from the Registrar of Companies if it does not have liabilities or assets.
From the early stages of gathering financial information to receiving the final liquidation notice, our team offers expert advice and handles all aspects of the liquidation process. We help with creditor list preparation, director/shareholder resolutions and declaration signature requirements. We offer dissolution services to entities that are managed by our firm as well as to those that are not.
Establishment of Bank Accounts
With over 200 banks and more than 9000 mutual funds, the Cayman Islands are the fifth largest financial centre in the world. A British overseas territory with efficient regulation and a judiciary system based on English common law, the Cayman Islands are an ideal location to establish an offshore bank account or a brokerage account.
Both individual investors and institutional businesses can benefit from the many advantages to the establishment of bank accounts in the Cayman Islands. Funds can be transferred freely in and out of the Cayman Islands, in any currency, thanks to the fact the country does not have exchange controls. Additionally, there are no reserve requirements for assets and client information is protected by confidentiality laws for all legal transactions. The country’s tax-neutral climate also enables the accrual of tax-free interest on funds in Cayman bank accounts. Individuals are, however, responsible for reporting income to the tax bureaus of their respective countries.
To support our clients’ businesses, Lainston leverages its unique understanding of the Cayman banking and brokerage environment to help clients identify and establish appropriate offshore bank accounts at local financial institutions. Our team also handles required administration such as preparation and submission of bank application forms, reference letters and notarised corporate documentation.
Notarisation & Apostilling Documents
Documents for companies formed in the Cayman Islands frequently need to be notarised, apostilled or legalised. Lainston makes it easy for clients to obtain this quickly through our in-house staff. We deliver a same day notary service and we facilitate the legalisation of foreign documents to be used in the Cayman Islands through our apostille services.
Apostilling is used to certify (i) signatures, (ii) the context under which individuals sign documents and (iii) the identity of seals or stamps. In many cases, it eliminates the need to visit consulates and embassies when getting documents legalised. In cases where document legalisation requires a consular or embassy visit, Lainston can liaise with the proper offices in the Cayman Islands on your behalf. Lainston also offers certified translation services for documents that need translation.
With a knowledgeable team that is experienced in all aspects of Cayman certification, clients can depend on Lainston to authenticate important documents such as articles of incorporation, bylaws, agreements, certificates, patents, trademarks, bank letters, passports, powers of attorney and more.
Estate Planning
Lainston acts on behalf of high-net-worth families to provide estate planning via tailored private wealth strategies for inheritance, wills and trusts. From drafting letters of wishes to coordinating the set-up of Cayman trusts (that are free from domicile legislation), we help them protect their assets and plan for the future.
One vehicle commonly used is the Private Trust Company. These types of trusts can be set-up quickly, often in just a few days, and costs are substantially lower than those incurred with trustees at large financial institutions. They also enable participation by allowing family members to sit on the board.
Another vehicle Lainston is familiar with is the Cayman Islands’ STAR trust. A key advantage of the STAR trust is that it can be structured in different ways. It can be structured as a purpose trust, whose purpose could be, for example, the continuation of a business, or it can be structured as a non-purpose entity whose beneficiaries can, for instance, earn income from the trust’s investment activities. A STAR trust can also continue for an indefinite period of time, and therefore across multiple generations, whereas many other trusts are limited in lifespan. Through the combination of well-designed Cayman trust structures, litigation and disputes that may arise in the event of death can be minimized.
Patent & Trademark Registration
Patent and trademark owners are unable to register Intellectual Property directly with the Cayman Islands Registry of Patents and Trademarks. Whilst general IP searches can be carried out by the public, a Cayman Islands registered agent is needed to conduct transactions with the Registry.
To meet this need, Lainston offers Cayman Islands patent and trademark registration services. Our Intellectual Property specialists also handle renewal of expired patents and trademarks as well as requests to protect inactive properties through abandonment.
In order for a patent or trademark to be recorded in the Cayman Islands, it must first be registered in the UK or the EU. Lainston has a presense in the UK and can assist with this requirement. For applications meeting all prerequisites, Cayman patent and trademark registration generally takes between thirty and sixty days.
Yacht, Ship & Aircraft Registration
The Cayman Islands is a leader for super-yacht and mega-vessel registration with their Category One British Registry. At Lainston, we liaise with the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MACI), ship builders, surveyors and others to assist yacht owners, brokers and managers with all aspects of Cayman yacht and ship registration.
Whether a vessel is under construction, bank financed with a mortgage, or needs a corporate ownership entity, Lainston has the team in place to ensure a smooth registration process. We work to establish ownership through offshore corporate entities such as exempted limited companies and individual ownership companies. We also assist in securing Cayman yacht names through the three ports of registry: George Town (Grand Cayman), Bloody Bay (Little Cayman) and The Creek (Cayman Brac). Other Lainston yacht solutions include radio licensing, crew payroll, transfers of ownership and certificate renewals.
Similarly, private jet owners and corporate aircraft management companies around the globe choose to register planes in the Cayman Islands for the many benefits the country provides. At Lainston, our experienced team handles the process of aircraft registration from start to finish. We do this by working with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands (CAACI) to submit registry applications, facilitating financial and due diligence requirements, managing on-site survey requirements and submitting ongoing maintenance documentation. Our incorporation services also enable the formation of Cayman Island companies to take ownership of aircraft.
Our Team
Johann Moxam - Partner
Johann is a Partner of Lainston International Management, Ltd.
An international financial services professional with 18 years’ experience with private equity funds and private wealth management portfolios, he spent more than 15 years of his career at Merril Lynch Bank and Trust (Cayman) Ltd. where he served as the Managing Director, MLRO and Corporate Secretary for its Cayman Islands Class A Bank and Trust Company and its subsidiaries.
He brings a proven track record of strategic leadership, broad business management skills, board governance and extensive regulatory and compliance experience.
Skilled in Banking, Asset Management, Fiduciary Services, Private Client matters, Equities and Capital Markets his role at Lainston entails serving as Managing Partner with responsibility for business development and as an independent director for clients on a wide range of alternative investment funds including hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds and segregated portfolio companies, as well as related offshore companies, SPV’s and investment management solutions.
He received his LLB and LLM in the United Kingdom and worked for several years the City of London before returning to Cayman. He is a past President of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Board of Directors for the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange and served as a member of the Cayman Islands Immigration Department’s Board responsible for Business Staffing Plans. He volunteers with the Lions Club of Grand Cayman and a number of community service projects.
Carlos Farjallah – Partner
Carlos is a Partner of Lainston International Management, Ltd.
Carlos Farjallah has extensive experience in onshore and offshore financial services. After starting his career at Citigroup and Societe Generale Asset Management in London, he moved to the Cayman Islands in 2004 to join MaplesFS, the financial services arm of international law firm Maples and Calder, where he served as a Senior Vice President.
Having worked in the fiduciary business for the past decade, Carlos has expertise in a range of innovative and multi-jurisdictional financing and investment structures. He has served on the boards of numerous structured finance vehicles, hedge funds and private equity funds. While at MaplesFS, Carlos managed the company’s Islamic Finance book of business and served as a director to Shariah-compliant investment companies and Sukuks.
Carlos has a Certificate in Securities and Financial Derivatives and a Certificate in Investment Management from the UK Securities Institute. Additionally, Carlos has been granted the Accredited Director designation from the Canadian Institute of Chartered Secretaries. He is a member of the Cayman Islands Directors Association and the UK Securities Institute.
Brad Fisher - Account Manager
Brad is an Account Manager at Lainston International Management, Ltd.
As a financial services professional Brad has spent his offshore career involved in the Fiduciary Services and Insurance Management Industry. Prior to moving to the Cayman Islands he assumed the role of Manager, Commercial Banking for the Royal Bank of Canada, where he was responsible for managing the commercial banking and finance clients across multiple bank locations in his home province of Nova Scotia, Canada.
Brad brings a robust background of client relationship management, team leadership, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance to Lainston.
Brad received his Bachelor of Commerce (Maj. Accounting) from St. Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada, and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) licensed under CPA Canada.
Trevor Neckles - Director
Trevor is a Director of Lainston International Management, Ltd.
Trevor is a director based in the Cayman Islands with a career spanning over 35 years, with a specialist background in trading, risk assessment, company management and fund management in the fields of commodities, metals and derivatives.
He began his career in 1977 in London with Commodity Analysis Limited, a commodities trading and research firm. In 1980, he joined HWH Limited, a boutique commodity fund management group, as director of Trading and Operations and in 1983, joined Refco Overseas Limited, the UK arm of the then largest US FCM/Prime Broker and was responsible for bullion and currencies as manager of the customer desk and as a trader/broker in metals and commodities. In 1992 he joined a UK-based proprietary trading and investment group and spent a year in the Middle East on a tripartite investment venture before moving to the Cayman Islands in early 1995 to establish the group’s offshore operations. From 2003 he served as a director for a company management provider, and was on the board of directors of several property investment companies. In addition, he was a director of a private trust company in the Cayman Islands, as well as being a director to other funds.
He is a member of the Cayman Islands Directors Association.
Let's get in touch
Give us a call or drop by anytime, we endeavour to answer all enquiries within 24 hours on business days.
Lainston International Management, Ltd.
128 Elgin Avenue
Grand Cayman, PO Box 31298
Cayman Islands, KY1-1206
Tel: +1 (345) 943-1207
Email: [email protected]