Paget-Brown Financial Services

Cayman Islands firm Paget-Brown Financial Services builds international capability through its Northern Ireland Centre of Excellence

In February 2025, Cayman Islands-based Paget-Brown Financial Services announced a £1.2 million investment to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Belfast, creating 12 high-value jobs in financial, regulatory and governance services. The investment marked the company’s first operational presence outside the Cayman Islands and formed an important part of its international growth strategy.

Since establishing in Belfast, Paget-Brown has accelerated the growth of its Northern Ireland team ahead of the original recruitment plans and expanded the specialist capability delivered from the region.

Founded in 1981, Paget-Brown provides financial, regulatory and governance services to corporate, fund and trust clients across the Middle East, Europe and North America. The company is recognised for delivering specialist governance, fiduciary, regulatory, fund administration and corporate services within highly regulated international markets.  

Why Northern Ireland?

As Paget-Brown assessed options for international expansion, it evaluated a range of potential locations including London, Dublin, and the Middle East, with Northern Ireland emerging as the preferred choice.

The company identified several advantages that supported its decision, including the availability of experienced financial and professional services talent, a competitive operating environment, strong levels of employee retention, and an established and growing financial services ecosystem.

Having strong Northern Irish representation within its leadership team also provided the company with first-hand knowledge of the region's strengths. Ryan Cooke, a Director of Paget-Brown, who is originally from Northern Ireland, understood the depth of expertise available locally and recognised the opportunity to build a high-performing team.  

Access to specialist talent

Paget-Brown’s Northern Ireland operation supports clients across multiple international markets and provides expertise in corporate governance, regulatory compliance, fund administration and corporate services.

The company selected Northern Ireland because of the region’s strong talent base and reputation as an international hub for financial and professional services. The region offered access to professionals with the regulatory, governance and financial expertise required to support global clients while providing an attractive environment in which to recruit, develop and retain talent.

Paget-Brown has built its Northern Ireland team ahead of schedule and continues to expand its local capability, creating specialist roles and providing opportunities for professionals to work within an international business serving clients worldwide.  

Led locally by Darren Leonard, Director, the Belfast operation has developed into a multidisciplinary team working closely with colleagues in the Cayman Islands to support Paget-Brown’s international client base. As the operation has grown, the Belfast team has also taken on a broader role within the business, contributing to the development of the firm’s services, capabilities and wider strategic direction.  

Supporting international growth from Belfast

The Belfast Centre of Excellence has become an increasingly important part of Paget-Brown’s wider business and long-term growth strategy. In addition to delivering specialist services to clients, the Belfast team contributes to the development of the firm’s capabilities and strategic priorities as Paget-Brown continues to grow internationally.

The Belfast and Cayman Islands teams operate as part of an integrated international business, combining specialist expertise across both locations to support clients and contribute to the continued development of the firm. Northern Ireland also offers strong cultural alignment, English-language capability and a convenient time zone for serving clients across Europe, North America and the Middle East.

By establishing in Northern Ireland, Paget-Brown has joined a growing cluster of international financial and professional services firms that are successfully serving global markets from the region, further reinforcing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a location for specialist financial services expertise.  

Invest NI support

Invest NI worked closely with Paget-Brown throughout its evaluation process, supporting the company as it assessed a range of potential international locations for its expansion.

The Invest NI team provided guidance on establishing operations in Northern Ireland, facilitated visits to the region, introduced the company to key stakeholders and supported the creation of the new roles.

Invest NI continues to work with Paget-Brown as it grows its Northern Ireland operation and develops additional capability within its Belfast team.  

This relationship has also extended to leadership development, with senior management participating in Invest NI’s Leadership Programme alongside leaders from other Northern Ireland businesses. The programme has provided an opportunity to explore approaches to leadership and growth as Paget-Brown continues to develop its Belfast operation. 

Find out more about our Financial services sector