Linklaters appoints new Global Practice Head for Investment Funds
Linklaters has announced the appointment of Silke Bernard, partner in the firm’s Luxembourg office, as its new global head of investment funds. Silke succeeds Matthew Keogh who completes his six-year term and will join the firm’s Partnership Board. Silke’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Silke joined Linklaters in 2004 and is an accomplished funds lawyer who works extensively with international asset managers and global banking groups. Dual-qualified in German and Luxembourg law, she has deep experience with various regulated and unregulated investment funds, particularly in the alternative funds area. Her field of expertise covers all asset classes with a particular focus on private equity, real estate, infrastructure and private credit.
Following the recent wave of regulatory change which integrates ESG factors into investment decision-making, Silke is one of the firm’s leading experts on sustainable finance. She is supporting asset managers and funds clients to meet a range of complex and new obligations across jurisdictions.
Silke is also leading industry efforts on European pension funds initiatives and on the implementation of the European regulation of ELTIFs. She is a regular contributor to working groups and committees that are part of Luxembourg’s industry body for investment funds, the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry.
Andrew Vickery, Global Head of Linklaters’ Finance Division, commented:
“Silke is a versatile and trusted advisor with extensive experience in highly-regulated and complex funds, with a track record of finding innovative solutions to her clients’ most pressing problems. The firm’s investment funds group, one of the deepest and most globally integrated funds practices in the world, will continue to thrive under her leadership.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Matt on behalf of the firm, for his outstanding leadership and contribution in the role over the last six years.”
Linklaters’ clients benefit from an unparalleled overview of the global investment funds market, with specialist, full service expertise from over 90 lawyers, including 14 partners, in the firm’s global investment funds practice across all major financial sponsor centres, such as London, Paris, New York, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
In 2020, the practice advised on US$62bn of fundraising by top tier sponsors across private equity, real estate, infrastructure and credit strategies whilst acting for the world’s largest cornerstone investors who committed more than US$20bn to 148 private funds and co-investments.
