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A brief history of bfinance
bfinance is an award-winning specialist consultant that provides investment implementation advice to institutional investors around the globe. Founded in 1999, the London-headquartered firm has conducted engagements for more than 520 clients in over 45 countries and has 11 offices globally. Services include manager search and selection, fee analysis, performance monitoring, risk analytics and other portfolio solutions. With customised processes tailored to each individual client, the firm seeks to empower investors with the resources and information to take key decisions. The team is drawn from portfolio management, research, consultancy and academia, combining deep sector-specific expertise with global perspective.
1999
Creation of bfinance (Paris office)
Raising first round of PE funding with Net Partners.
2000
Opening of London and Munich offices
bfinance pioneers innovative model for Manager Selection (tender and success fee). Second Round of PE funding lead by Carlyle, Net Partners.
2001
Third round of PE funding
Lead by Seat Pagine Gialli, Net Partners, Carlyle, GE Capital eFund and Accenture.
Dot com bubble bursts
2002
Clients in 3 countries
(United Kingdom, Germany, and France)
2000-2010: Thousands of DB pension schemes close to new members as companies de-risk themselves with DC
2004
First clients in the Netherlands and Sweden
2005
First client in Denmark
2006
Opens first non-European office in Montréal
Clients in 13 countries, including the addition of first Finnish and Italian clients in Europe.
2007
Expansion of Investment Consulting service provision
(Asset Allocation)
2008
Enters Private Market advisory
Global Financial Crisis wipes 44% off global stock market value
IMF creates International Forum of SWF, countering political concerns around international investment
2009
1st management buyout
bfinance becomes 100% Employee owned.
Global pension assets at $27 trillion following GFC
Trend to passive escalates, backed by new academic research
2010
Opens Netherlands office in Amsterdam
First Family Office and Insurance clients
Clients in 30 countries.
Total assets advised on exceed $100+ billion
2011
Global pension assets at $27 trillion following GFC
2012
Establishment of dedicated Hedge Funds team
2010-12: Peak of European sovereign debt crisis
2014
De-merger of Redbridge Debt and Treasury Advisory
(formerly part of bfinance)
2015
Total assets advised on exceed $150+ billion
Consolidation of investment consulting industry continues with Willis/Towers Watson merger
2016
Opens first APAC office in Sydney. Wins first US client.
Clients in 35 countries.
Baird Capital takes majority stake in bfinance
2017
Establishment of Portfolio Solutions team
UK CMA launches investment consultant probe over concentration and 'conflicts of interest'
Launch of US office
China A-Shares join MSCI Emerging Markets Index
2018
Adds a dedicated insurance focus committed to meeting insurers specific investment implementation needs
Investment consultant M&A continues: Mercer completes 6th acquisition since 2010 (Pavilion).
2019
Major push in Asia with first clients in Japan & Malaysia
Clients in 40 countries.
2020
Continues expansion in Europe by opening an office in Italy
bfinance now has 5 offices in Europe (London, Paris, Munich, Amsterdam, Rome).
Covid pandemic precipitates national 'lockdowns' around the globe, shift to virtual work
Total assets advised on exceed $200+ billion
2021
Establishment of dedicated ESG Advisory unit
Global pension assets hit $60 trillion
Establishment of Operational Risk Solutions unit
Aon/WTW merger halted amid US regulatory objections
Founder signatory of Net Zero Investment Consultants Initiative
Achieves a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70
Independent "Voice of the Customer" feedback demonstrates exceptional levels of client satisfaction.
2022
Joins Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
Passive fund ownership of US stocks overtakes active for the first time
2023
Management buyout: bfinance returns to employee ownership
2021-23: European SFDR regulations come into effect as regulators try to clarify 'sustainable' fund landscape
2024
Opens first Middle Eastern office in Dubai
Clients in 45 countries.
