Confirm that the provider is DNB-licensed under the Wtt 2018, understand whether you will work directly with experienced staff or be routed through a large back office, and check its track record. Local Management is management-owned and boutique, and has worked with over 325 clients since 2010.
A Checklist
- Licence. Check the provider and the exact legal entity in DNB’s public register. See Which Dutch trust offices are licensed by DNB?
- People. Ask who will handle your entity, how experienced they are and how often staff change. See boutique versus large offices.
- Track record. Ask how long the firm has operated, how many clients it serves and whether it works with structures like yours.
- Scope of services. Check which services are included, such as director, domiciliation, bookkeeping and corporate secretarial, and what is charged separately.
- Fees. Ask for a fixed proposal with a clear scope. See What does a trust office cost?
- Process. A reliable provider explains its onboarding and due-diligence steps up front, as required under the Wtt 2018.
- Exit. Check the notice period and what happens to your records and entity if you leave.
Warning Signs
Be careful with a provider that does not appear in the DNB register, offers to skip identity checks, or cannot explain who would act as director of your company. Proper due diligence is a legal duty of a licensed trust office, not an optional extra.
Questions about this topic? Talk to Rolf Wemmi, Director of Corporate Clients at Local Management, via rolf@localmanagement.nl or +31 20 737 2217.