16 January 2024, UAE: M/HQ, the UAE’s leading private wealth optimization platform, is proud to announce that it has boosted its Corporate Secretarial Services (CSS) capabilities with the appointment of Ms. Hermione Harrison as Director and Ms. Marcia Rocha as Associate Director – as clients increasingly seek support in managing their compliance obligations in line with the UAE’s continued enhancement of its regulatory framework.
Established in 2021, the CSS team has since tripled in size 3 to 9 as its portfolio of clients has skyrocketed to close to 500 regulated and non-regulated clients across all UAE jurisdictions (particularly in the DIFC, ADGM, and DMCC).
Over the past decade, the UAE government has raised the bar on almost all business standards to increase supervision, accountability, and transparency – resulting in a substantial widening of reporting and filing obligations, as well as systematic supervision and monitoring, and regular enforcement. Clients are thus turning to M/HQ’s CSS team to help review and close compliance gaps – reducing their risk profile and allowing them to focus on successfully growing their business with peace of mind.
Yann Mrazek, Managing Partner M/HQ commented: “The impressive growth of M/HQ’s Corporate Secretarial Services (CSS) team not only reflects the increased demand for compliance assistance but also the exceptional quality and leadership of the CSS team. We congratulate Hermione Harrison and Marcia Rocha on their appointments to Director and Associate Director respectively and on their past and future successes.”
Hermione has designed, built up and been leading M/HQ’s market leading Corporate Secretarial Services & Governance team, and also heads M/HQ’s Abu Dhabi office. She has over 20 years of international legal and business experience in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and in-depth knowledge of current and emerging UAE regulations. Hermione works closely with authorities to develop and enhance regulations to promote and support the development and implementation of wealth structuring tools in line with the vision of the UAE.
Marcia brings over 12 years of experience in the UAE corporate services industry and a STEP Certification in International Trust Administration. Clients benefit from her sharp business acumen and in-depth knowledge of the UAE business environment, which enable her to break down problems into small actionable parts and communicate solutions clearly and effectively.
Further background information about Hermione and Marcia is below.
Note to editors:
- M/HQ is a multi-services platform catering to successful individuals and international families. Our one-stop-shop offering is unique in the Middle East: a holistic and cross-disciplinary combination of a market-leading corporate services firm, a private client specialist team and a regulatory & compliance services practice, all through one single platform. We have extensive experience advising on a broad range of wealth structuring and legacy planning issues. We particularly assist in establishing and servicing Family- and Group- Holdings, Single- and Multi- Family offices, Foundations and other asset consolidation/ protection and intergenerational wealth management structures. Headquartered in the UAE since 2009, we are an entrepreneurial firm for entrepreneurial clients.
- M/HQ’s Corporate Secretarial Services team supports all types of regulated and unregulated legal entities (companies, partnerships, foundations, branches) to comply with their annual compliance obligations in the UAE. While many clients seek our help from the design phase of a corporate or family structure, others come to us with established entities and structures. We review and close compliance gaps – reducing your risk and allowing you to focus on growing your business with peace of mind.
For an overview of the CSS team’s services, please click here:
- For further information, please contact Sarah D’Souza, Marketing & Communications Specialist at dsouza@m-hq.com and +971 56 368 7106
Hermione Harrison
Director & Head of Corporate Governance
+971 4 295 57 37
A key member of the team, Hermione has designed, built up and been leading M/HQ’s market leading Corporate Secretarial Services & Governance team. She has in-depth knowledge of current and emerging UAE regulations and provides expert advice on compliance obligations, corporate governance, and complex structuring. Drawing on her strong legal skills, Hermione consistently delivers practical, clear, and actionable advice.
Heading up M/HQ’s Abu Dhabi office, Hermione actively represents the firm in regulatory engagements, working with authorities to develop and enhance regulations to promote and support the development and implementation of wealth structuring tools in line with the vision of the UAE.
As a natural connector, Hermione is known for her high-quality delivery, enthusiasm and approachability.
Admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales, Australia and holding a degree in law and international relations as well as a certificate in Corporate Governance from the Wharton Executive Education School, Hermione has over 20 years of international legal and business experience in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Marcia Rocha
Associate Director – Corporate Secretarial Services
+971 50 340 4274
Bringing over 12 years of experience in the UAE corporate services industry, Marcia is an anchor member of team M/HQ. Over the past two years, she has successfully managed the delivery of M/HQ’s Corporate Secretarial Services & Governance offering by a team that has grown from strength to strength under her organizational leadership.
Naturally people-oriented, Marcia excels at client communication. Her clients benefit from her sharp business acumen and in-depth knowledge of the UAE business environment, enabling her to break down problems into small actionable parts and communicate solutions clearly and effectively.
Originally from Portugal where she graduated in Tourism/Business Administration, Marcia has completed her training in wealth planning and administration in the UAE and obtained her Certification in International Trust Administration from STEP.