CAREY OLSEN: Carey Olsen advises Opera Group Limited on acquisition of HFL Limited

Press Release from Carey Olsen, Friday 5 September, 2025.

Carey Olsen’s Guernsey corporate team has advised privately owned financial services group Opera Group Limited (“Opera”) on its acquisition of Guernsey-based fiduciary and fund administration firm HFL Limited (“HFL Limited”).

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, after which Opera’s combined assets under administration will be more than US$37 billion.

HFL is Opera’s third acquisition, joining Oak Group and Amber Trust Ltd. under one portfolio. The acquisition is part of Project Overture, Opera’s five-year strategic plan to simplify work with smarter technology, deliver sustainable organic growth by increasing market visibility, and expand globally through targeted acquisitions.

Opera is majority backed by Pula, the family office of Steven Lansdown CBE, co-founder of Hargreaves Lansdown and like-minded shareholders including Sealyham Investments Ltd, family office of Tom Scott.

The Carey Olsen Guernsey corporate team acting as lead counsel to Opera. It was headed by partner Tom Carey and senior associate Melissa Wilkins who were assisted by counsel Julie Currie and Carly Parrott, and associates Kim Courtney and Tabitha Lepp.

Partner Tom Carey commented: “We were delighted to act for Opera in their acquisition of HFL, a highly regarded business in the market. The deal ideally positions Opera for its next phase of innovation and sustainable growth and demonstrates the strength of Guernsey as a jurisdiction of choice for fund administration, corporate and private client services. We look forward to supporting Kim Sgarlata and the team at Opera as they embark on their next stage of global expansion.”

12 September 2025

FAMILY OFFICES: Goldman finds family offices have less private equity exposure

Some of the world’s richest families are less exposed to private equity as they lean more heavily on public markets, with surging prices underscoring stocks’ value as a consistent wealth engine.

Read More
4 October 2024

UK: The UK Dominates the Most Damaging Tax Havens

New analysis by the Tax Justice Network has revealed the United Kingdom to be the biggest enabler of corporate tax dodging in the world. As this infographic shows, British Overseas Territories and

Read More
4 April 2025

EU: EU Proposes SME Sustainable Finance Standard to Boost ESG Funding Access

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance (PSF) has unveiled a new proposal to accelerate small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) transition toward sustainable practices. The proposed “SME sustainable

Read More
21 August 2025

CRYPTO: Navigating the Storm: The Economic Landscape and Cryptocurrency’s Future

Inflation worries are no longer whispers in the economic trenches; they resonate loudly, shaking the foundations of financial markets and altering investor bravado. For those deeply immersed in the

Read More