As one of the directors here at HFL, I’ve had the privilege of watching our business grow - not just in size, but in strength, capability and culture. As we move through 2025, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on that growth, what’s driving it, and most importantly, the people making it possible.

Already this year, we’ve welcomed six new starters - and we have eleven more joining us in the coming months. But this isn’t just about numbers. This is about the kind of company we are building, and how we’re doing it the right way: intentionally, collaboratively, and with a deep respect for our people.

Growing Through Service and Trust

Our growth has come from something we’re incredibly proud of: positive word of mouth.

We’ve focused on doing excellent work, nurturing strong relationships, and letting our reputation speak for itself. As a result, the overwhelming majority of our growth has been driven by introductions from existing clients, and we continue to attract new clients who are aligned with our values and who challenge us to keep raising the bar.

Our purpose is to act as a seamless extension of our clients’ teams, which tends to build a level of trust and collaboration that goes far beyond a typical 3rd party administrator relationship. This depth of connection has led many fund clients to also trust us with their family offices and personal investment structures. In fact, two of our biggest fund clients began as private clients, choosing to launch their first funds through us after many years of trusted support.

Planning, Not Reacting

At HFL, we don’t scramble to fill gaps - we plan ahead. Our hiring strategy is designed to ensure we have the right people in place before the need becomes urgent.

When I joined in February 2021, we had a team of less than 30 people and by the end of this year, we expect to have grown to 70+. Looking back, it’s been a natural, healthy progression that reflects our growing client base, quality and evolutionary services, as well as our increasingly strong reputation in the market.

It’s important to emphasise: this growth is not the result of high turnover. In fact, we’re proud of the retention and stability within our teams. What we’re seeing is the result of growth in demand, not gaps in performance - and that’s something to celebrate.

HR: Quietly Driving Big Change

Our HR team has played an absolutely crucial role in this chapter of growth. This year alone, they’ve reviewed over 150 CVs, conducted more than 50 interviews, and made thoughtful improvements to our recruitment and onboarding systems.

They’ve worked hard to ensure that new joiners are welcomed into a structured, supportive environment from day one. They’ve centralised information, streamlined processes, and made onboarding feel personal, not transactional. I’m deeply grateful for the care and diligence they bring to their work.

Recruitment and onboarding aren’t just the responsibility of our HR team - they’re a shared commitment across the business, with colleagues stepping up to interview, mentor, and support new starters to ensure every joiner feels welcomed, prepared, and part of the team from day one.

Our colleagues, who have given their time, energy, and care in helping others settle in, are the reason we’re growing the right way.

Making Space for What’s Next

To support this growth, we’re also expanding our physical space, and working on plans which will give us capacity for up to 100 people.

This isn’t just about desks. It’s about designing a workplace that reflects who we are: open, collaborative, and built for connection.

Looking Ahead

As we continue to grow, our focus remains clear: to provide excellent service, to plan thoughtfully for the future, and to create an environment where our people can do their best work and feel proud to be part of something meaningful.

We’re still hiring - and if you’re someone who wants to grow with a company that values its people as much as its performance, we’d love to hear from you.