The Onboarding Balancing Act
In wholesale funds, the onboarding experience is the first real test of your operating model. And when it falters, the consequences are immediate.
Delayed capital inflows, repeated document requests, frustrated investors, and compliance gaps that resurface at audit — all of these can stem from onboarding that isn’t built to scale. By contrast, when onboarding runs smoothly, it signals to investors that your fund is organised, disciplined, and focused on long-term relationships.
Why Onboarding Matters
EY research has highlighted what many fund managers already know: onboarding is one of the most complex and resource-intensive processes in private funds. Delays don’t just create inefficiencies — they erode trust, with investors losing confidence before the fund has even begun to operate. In some cases, missed deadlines on capital calls or documentation can cause reputational harm that takes years to repair.
Onboarding is not a “back-office task.” It’s a direct reflection of a fund’s ability to execute.
The Dual Challenge
Wholesale fund managers face a balancing act:
Personalisation — Investors expect nuanced, responsive service, particularly in a wholesale environment where relationships matter.
Efficiency — At the same time, speed, accuracy, and clarity are critical to meeting regulatory expectations and investor timelines.
Many funds struggle because they lean too far in one direction: over-reliance on manual processes that slow things down, or rigid automation that misses important details.
Wicklow’s Approach
At Wicklow, we see onboarding as an opportunity to demonstrate scale, discipline, and investor care. Our model combines:
Personal support where nuance matters, such as complex investor structures or bespoke compliance requirements.
Technology-enabled steps where speed helps, streamlining data capture, AML/CTF checks, and document management.
Robust oversight so compliance obligations are met continuously, not retrofitted after the fact.
Handled well, onboarding does more than get investors through the door. It shows them they are joining a fund that is resilient, compliant, and built for growth.
First Impressions, Lasting Trust
The first impression matters. For wholesale funds, onboarding is not just an administrative hurdle — it’s the foundation of investor trust. Done poorly, it undermines confidence before capital is deployed. Done well, it becomes the strongest evidence that your operations are built to scale.