KNEIP, a service provider to the investment fund industry, has announced that it has expanded its European presence with the opening of an office in Frankfurt, Germany, headed by Dr. Jrgen Fass.

Fass joined KNEIP in 2005 as relationship manager for German speaking clients in Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In his new role as manager of the German office, Fass will also be in close contact with German industry associations, regulatory bodies and other regional stakeholders to gain an insight into the challenges that the industry faces in light of forthcoming European regulatory obligations, particularly UCITS IV.

Commenting on the opening of the German office, Bob Kneip, CEO of KNEIP, said: “The opening of a local office in Frankfurt is in-line with our 2011 growth strategy and with our ambition to be closer to our clients. This development will help to enhance our market intelligence and better service our German client base.”

Fass, Relationship Manager at KNEIP, commented: “I look forward to leading the operations in Germany. Over the last two years, the German fund management industry has opened up and we’ve seen a greater appetite towards outsourcing by key participants, which follows the general trend towards cross-border distribution. In addition, with the move to UCITS IV in July this year, German asset managers will need to become swiftly aligned with the new requirements. As a provider of high quality services, KNEIP has the potential to provide significant support to the German fund management market at this important stage of its development.”

In addition to its Luxembourg headquarters, KNEIP has offices in London, Paris, Brussels and Lausanne.