Jersey Private Funds: From Speed to Scale – What the New Investor Limit Means for UK Fund Managers
A game‑changing update for private market GPs
In August 2025, the Government of Jersey introduced a major enhancement to its Jersey Private Fund (JPF) regime. Historically limited to 50 offers or investors, JPFs can now admit unlimited professional or eligible investors—provided that marketing is restricted to a pre‑qualified group. The change removes a structural brake on fund size and scale and is accompanied by a 24‑hour turnaround for compliant applications, the ability to list JPF interests and a broader definition of “professional investor.” Existing JPFs must apply for a revised COBO consent to take advantage of the new rules.
Why JPFs matter to UK private equity, VC and real estate managers
JPFs were created to offer fast, flexible vehicles without requiring full collective investment fund regulation. Key features include:
Fast‑track approval – applications are typically approved within 24 hours.
No mandatory audit or offering document requirements.
Flexible structuring options, including companies, partnerships and unit trusts.
National Private Placement Regime (NPPR) access to the EU and UK, allowing cross‑border capital raising.
These attributes have made the JPF regime popular; more than 750 structures have been created since 2017. By removing the investor cap, Jersey now enables managers to raise larger vehicles, tap broader pools of capital and improve fund economics. Institutional managers use JPFs to market real estate and private equity funds into Europe, entrepreneurs pool capital for bespoke co‑investments, and family offices collaborate through JPFs to invest in private businesses.
Impact on fund operations and investor onboarding
The regulatory update is not just about scale; it introduces operational complexity. An unlimited investor base means greater volumes of Know‑Your‑Customer (KYC) checks, subscription agreements and ongoing reporting. To capture the benefits of the new regime without introducing friction, managers should:
Automate investor onboarding. Leveraging SaaS tools that integrate e‑signatures, identity verification and AML checks can reduce approval times from weeks to days. FTS’s white‑label platform enables investors to submit information digitally and IR teams to track progress in real time.
Design audit‑ready reporting flows. With a larger investor base comes more regulatory scrutiny. Automated capital account statements, distribution notices and financial reporting should be generated in a format that meets FCA and Jersey Commission requirements.
Maintain clear investor communications. Even when marketing to a restricted professional group, transparency around fees, risk and governance is essential. Digital portals let GPs share legal documents, periodic reports and ad‑hoc updates securely, ensuring investors have the information they need.
Plan for cross‑jurisdictional compliance. NPPR access into the EU and UK means managers must align with local regulations such as AIFMD, UK AIFM rules and ESG disclosure regimes. Data integration with compliance tools can reduce manual processes and support regulatory filings.
The strategic opportunity for mid‑sized managers
For many boutique and mid‑sized UK private market firms, raising capital has been constrained by investor limits and administrative overhead. Jersey’s update removes one barrier and invites managers to think bigger. Continuation funds, follow‑on vehicles and cross‑border co‑investments can now be structured under the JPF regime without sacrificing speed or flexibility.
Yet scale brings risk: overloaded operations teams, outdated spreadsheets and inconsistent onboarding processes can erode investor confidence. GPs that pair the JPF’s regulatory advantages with modern fund administration technology will differentiate themselves. Early adopters of automated onboarding solutions report a significant reduction in time‑to‑close and improved investor satisfaction.
Key takeaways
The Jersey Private Fund enhancements effective August 2025 remove the 50‑investor cap and broaden the definition of professional investor.
Managers can now raise larger funds and access broader capital pools while retaining the regime’s hallmark speed and flexibility.
To manage an unlimited investor base, GPs should invest in digitised onboarding, AML/KYC automation and audit‑ready reporting tools.
The combination of a scalable Jersey vehicle and FTS’s platform empowers UK private market firms to unlock growth while meeting regulatory and operational obligations.
By staying ahead of regulatory shifts and adopting operational excellence, fund managers can turn this policy change into a competitive advantage.