Company: AKD
Interviewed person: Arnaud Barchman
Position: Partner
Web: www.akd.eu

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Shortly describe your professional career.

I am Arnaud Barchman, Partner at AKD, leading the Banking & Finance and Capital Market practice. I started working in Brussels first and moved to Luxembourg in 2012. I advise multinational clients, including banks, private equity houses, public and private companies on all types of financing transactions, including secured lending, securitisations, high yield debt issuances, securities laws and listing related matters.

Which activity does your company currently develop in Luxembourg?

AKD is a full business law firm, advising clients on corporate law, investment funds, tax, private equity, banking & finance, litigation, and regulatory compliance. In Luxembourg we support fund formations, cross-border transactions, and regulatory matters for financial institutions. We combine multidisciplinary legal expertise to help international clients navigate complex markets, with a strong focus on structuring and transactional aspects.

What added value does your company offer in Luxembourg compared to its competitors?

AKD combines deep legal expertise with a practical commercial approach. Our multidisciplinary teams advise on cross-border structuring, regulatory compliance, and complex transactions, bridging Benelux, UK, and Spanish-speaking markets notably. We offer personalised services, responsiveness, and sector specialisation — particularly in investment funds, private equity and financial services — tailored to each client’s strategic goals.

What link does your company maintain with Spain?

AKD has longstanding ties with Spanish clients and advisors, supporting inbound and outbound investments between Spain and Luxembourg. We assist Spanish asset managers, corporates, and investors with regulatory advice, fund structuring, and M&A transactions. We have Spanish speakers within our team and excellent understanding of the Spanish legal and business culture, enabling seamless collaboration and cross-border execution. We frequently travel to Spain to attend clients’ events, business meetings and conferences, strengthening our Spanish focused offering. Luxembourg is a renowned structuring venue for investments in Spain, and this combination is trusted by international investors, making it an excellent combination.

How do you think the Spanish Financial Forum can add value to the financial services industry in Luxembourg and its professionals?

The Spanish Financial Forum can strengthen ties between Luxembourg and Spain by fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange and networking. It promotes best practices in finance, highlights investment opportunities, and supports collaboration between actors of the business sphere, asset managers and service providers. This enhances cross-border business, innovation and professional development in both markets. Cross-border business is all about having the right forum to meet and develop trust among the participants involved.