Katherine Garrood

Katherine advises banks, lenders, and other financial institutions on regulatory compliance, product launches, governance matters, and the provision of financial services, combining deep sector knowledge with extensive experience of Isle of Man and cross-border banking transactions.

• Advised banks on standard terms and conditions.
• Advised banks on new product offerings and associated regulatory requirements.
• Advised banks and other lenders on financial services regulation.
• Acted on the transfer of a deposit-taking business by way of a court-sanctioned transfer scheme.

Katherine advises on complex corporate restructurings, recapitalisations, and group reorganisation projects, helping businesses implement efficient structures and manage significant corporate change across multiple jurisdictions and sectors.

• Implemented restructures of a large UK real estate group.
• Implemented restructures of an Irish grocery group.
• Advised on the reorganisation of a complex Isle of Man investment structure.

Katherine advises on company formations, fund establishment, and corporate structuring arrangements, supporting clients with constitutional documentation, governance frameworks and ownership structures tailored to their commercial objectives.

• Advised on the establishment and structuring of Isle of Man investment funds.
• Drafted bespoke constitutional documents for family investment holding structures.
• Drafted shareholder agreements for a range of corporate structures and investment vehicles.

Katherine advises listed companies, issuers and corporate groups on Isle of Man legal matters relating to public markets transactions, listings, ongoing corporate governance obligations, and capital-raising initiatives.

• Advised Isle of Man companies on matters of Isle of Man law in connection with listings on the London Stock Exchange and the Aquis Stock Exchange.
• Acted for Isle of Man companies listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
• Provided regulatory advice to listed companies with Isle of Man investors.
• Provided Isle of Man company law advice to Isle of Man acquisition structures undertaking take privates of listed companies.

Katherine advises directors and boards on governance responsibilities, fiduciary duties and decision-making obligations, helping organisations navigate both routine governance matters and complex situations during periods of uncertainty.

• Provided directors’ duties training to boards of regulated entities.
• Advised boards of Isle of Man funds on directors’ duties.
• Advised boards of Isle of Man funds on governance obligations during times of crisis.

Katherine is a former Chair of the Isle of Man Wealth and Fund Services Association and continues to head up regulatory affairs for the association. She is an experienced funds lawyer and advises on both private and retail schemes at every stage of their life cycle.

• Advised on the establishment of Isle of Man funds structured as stand-alone and umbrella companies, PCCs, and limited partnerships.
• Advised on the conversion of an Isle of Man international scheme to a regulated fund.
• Advised on the winding up of Isle of Man authorised schemes.
• Advised on the restructuring of a complex PCC fund structure.
• Advised on the redomicile of a portfolio of Isle of Man funds and their managers to the BVI and Cayman Islands.
• Advised on the establishment of a novel Isle of Man fund transacting entirely in Bitcoin.
• Advised a fund in the context of the acquisition of its fund manager and consequent changes to the fund.

Katherine advises businesses, investors, and fund sponsors on joint venture arrangements and strategic partnerships, with particular experience in the financial services, payments, and investment funds sectors.

• Acted on a joint venture in the payment services sector.
• Acted on the establishment of Isle of Man funds structured as limited partnerships.
• Advised on investment structures involving multiple stakeholders and partnership arrangements.
• Acted on implementation of employee equity schemes and equity rollover schemes.

Katherine advises corporates, private equity firms, and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, disposals, and strategic investments, including many high-value and highly regulated transactions.

• Acted for sellers on some of the largest Isle of Man life insurance deals of recent years.
• Advised private equity backers on management buyout of a corporate and trust services provider.
• Acted on the sale by way of merger of a mining business.
• Acting for private equity owners of Isle of Man regulated entities on change of control applications.

Katherine advises banks, wealth managers, payment service providers, insurers, and investment funds on a broad range of regulatory and corporate matters. She has extensive experience of the Isle of Man financial services framework, including cross-border business, regulatory compliance, M&A transactions, digital assets, funds, and change of control applications.

• Advising banks and wealth managers on providing services to Isle of Man customers on a cross-border basis.
• Advising payment service providers on providing services to Isle of Man customers on a cross-border basis.
• Acting on a number of M&A transactions in the regulated sector in the Isle of Man.
• Acting for private equity owners of Isle of Man regulated entities on change of control applications.
• Advising clients on the application of the Isle of Man regulatory regime.
• Advising on Isle of Man regulation of digital assets and virtual currencies.
• Drafting terms and conditions and other product documentation for banks and wealth managers.
• Advising Isle of Man banks, insurers, wealth managers, and trust and corporate service providers on outsourcing obligations and reviewing agreements.
• Advising on the promotion of funds into the Isle of Man.
• Advising on the establishment, expansion, ongoing operation, and wind-down of Isle of Man funds (both private and retail schemes).

Katherine advises issuers, exchanges, and service providers on Isle of Man regulation of cryptocurrency and digital assets. She has been consistently recognised by Chambers Fintech since 2023.

• Advised on the establishment of a novel Isle of Man fund transacting entirely in Bitcoin.
• Acted for a listed Isle of Man Bitcoin treasury company.
• Advised issuers on regulation of cryptocurrency and digital assets in the Isle of Man.
• Advised international cryptocurrency exchange on the Isle of Man regulatory regime.
• Advised an online gambling operator on regulation of virtual assets in the Isle of Man.

Recognised by The Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner for Corporate & Commercial 2026

Recognised by Chambers Fintech as an “Associate to Watch” 2026

Recognised by IFLR1000 as a ‘Rising star’ for Corporate and Finance 2025

Recognised by Chambers UK as an ‘Associate to Watch’ 2022-2023

“An associate gaining a strong reputation for her ability to advise clients on investment fund regulation.”  Chambers 2023

“An expert in Isle of Man FinTech regulatory work. Katherine Garrood offers an excellent level of communication and service.”  Chambers Fintech Guide

Former Chair of the Isle of Man Wealth and Fund Services Association and continues to sit on the committee, heading up regulatory matters

Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public in the Isle of Man