Acclime buys Australian fund firm Polar 993

Hong Kong-based corporate services firm Acclime has agreed to acquire Polar 993, an independent Australian fund services provider, strengthening its position in the region’s financial sector.

Deal expands Acclime’s regional footprint

The acquisition includes Polar 993’s trustee and fund administration business, which operates under an Australian financial services license. The company focuses on trustee, responsible entity, custody, and compliance services for private equity, venture capital, and private credit managers.

After the deal closes, Polar 993 will continue operating from its Melbourne office. Its leadership and staff will remain in place, ensuring service continuity for current clients while extending Acclime’s reach across the Asia-Pacific region.

Leadership and technology drive the acquisition

Adam Lindell founded Polar 993 in 2020. He previously led Labassa Capital and spent 12 years at Merricks Capital. The firm’s approach blends legal, investment management, and compliance expertise with a technology-driven platform.

“We provide modern, institutional-grade trustee and fund administration services to a growing market of sophisticated fund managers,” Lindell said. “Joining Acclime gives us significant institutional backing and the scale to support our clients and staff in Australia and beyond.”

Acclime’s leadership described the acquisition as a key step in building a regional professional services platform. Group chief executive Izzy Silva called Polar 993 a strong addition to Acclime’s fund service capabilities, noting its client base and operational technology as major benefits.

“Polar 993 brings us a high-quality Australian platform and a proven operating system that can support our global fund services business,” Silva said.

Randolph van der Burgh, Acclime’s regional managing director for Australia and New Zealand, emphasized the firm’s technology as a key factor. “Their platform aligns well with our goals, and we’re pleased to welcome Adam and his team,” he said.

The acquisition follows several recent deals by Acclime, including Bourke Group in Melbourne, Boutique Capital and Capital Architects in Sydney, and Rockburgh Fund Services in New Zealand. These moves support its strategy of creating a regional network of professional services.

For now, Polar 993’s clients, including private equity and venture capital managers, will experience no immediate changes. Both firms confirmed that operations will remain stable during the transition.