Fairway Group Expands International Presence with New Madeira Office

Madeira office marks major step in Fairway’s international growth 

Fairway Group expands its international footprint with the launch of a new client-facing office in Madeira. The office marks a key milestone in the Group’s growth, offering enhanced services to international clients, including company formation, tax compliance, visa support, HR, legal, and maritime registrations. The launch event brought together Fairway’s senior leadership, including CEO Alistair Rothwell and COO Matt Ebbrell, alongside regional dignitaries Miguel Albuquerque, President of the Regional Government of Madeira, and Ana Filipa Ferreira, Executive Director of Invest Madeira, underscoring the strong collaboration between Fairway and the island’s business community. 

To learn more about the expansion and the opportunities Madeira offers, we caught up with Sara de Sá Leão, Head of Fairway Madeira, to hear her perspective on why the island is such a compelling destination for international clients and how the office has evolved. 

Why Madeira? 

Madeira offers a unique combination of lifestyle, logistics, and business opportunity: EU access, attractive tax incentives, a highly educated and multilingual workforce, and strong cultural ties to Jersey. 

The island’s talent pool is young, multilingual, and globally minded. It’s also a place where the company can deliver the same high standards clients expect, while running operations efficiently behind the scenes. With strong historical and cultural ties to Jersey, Madeira felt like a natural extension for Fairway, both strategically and culturally. 

Tell us about the journey so far? 

Fairway established its Madeira presence in 2018, initially focused on operational support. Since then, the team has grown from five to over twenty professionals, expanding into fully client-facing services and becoming a key hub for international clients seeking corporate, relocation, and fiduciary solutions. 

How does Fairway support its clients? 

Fairway Madeira now provides a comprehensive suite of services, including: 

• Company formation and management 
• Tax compliance 
• Visa support (D2/D7) 
• HR, legal, and maritime registrations 
• Virtual office solutions 

This hands-on approach helps clients hit the ground running and ensures cross-border operations run smoothly. 

What sets Fairway apart? 

Independence and a client-centric mindset are central. By combining global reach with local expertise and a trusted network of advisers, Fairway delivers tailored solutions that meet complex international needs. 

The firm’s approach is particularly valued by international businesses navigating cross-border requirements. With integrated services spanning fiduciary, corporate, and fund operations, Fairway provides a single point of contact that simplifies complex processes and ensures compliance with EU and international regulations. 

What incentives in terms of tax and business set up does Madeira offer? 

The International Business Centre (IBC) offers competitive corporate tax rates, dividend exemptions, access to Portugal’s tax treaties, and streamlined processes for companies investing locally or creating jobs. 

Madeira’s regulatory framework is complemented by its strategic positioning within Europe, providing businesses with legal certainty, cost efficiencies, and access to a single market. Combined with lifestyle and EU access, Madeira provides a compelling base for entrepreneurs, investors, and international businesses looking to establish a foothold in Europe. 

And what’s next? 

Fairway Madeira is fully operational and delivering its expanded client-facing services. The launch event brought together Fairway’s leadership and regional officials, highlighting the office’s role as a trusted partner in Madeira’s evolving business landscape. The team looks forward to continuing to support international clients and businesses establishing a presence in Portugal and across Europe.