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Since 2006, the ACQ5 AWARDS programs have been celebrating achievement, innovation and brilliance in their annual awards. Anybody can make that claim, but ACQ really is different. We boast a legitimately independent nomination process, most importantly, our award winners, are chosen based on qualitative and quantitative metrics or/and by the industry itself. We always rely on reader insight and experience to provide nominations and we relish hearing about new experts and burgeoning markets. Every year, we seek their assistance in recognising industry leaders, eminent individuals, exemplary teams and distinguished businesses, which we believe represent the benchmark of achievement and best practice in a variety of fields – and every year, our readers help as we strive to recognise an ever-widening spectrum of services, markets, industries and organisations that serve our global market place. Our awards rise above the status of participation certificate and actually represent an endorsement of outstanding work. We recognise smaller market participants as well as larger organisations adapting international models to unique geographies. Entry into all awards programs is free of charge. This includes Submission, Nomination and Selection of winners. Hosted by ACQ5 magazine & the ACQ5 news portal, we would like to thank all who choose share their thoughts by making nominations related to performance and the best practices they have experienced first-hand.
ACQ5 magazine’s annual Hedge / Fund Industry Awards honour the hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, investment consultants, endowments, foundations, family offices, corporate funds, public funds, sovereign funds, advisory services and rising stars that stood out for their performance innovation, achievements and contributions to the industry in the past year. The judging process is impartial and unbiased and seeks to reward genuine performance and quality. The application and judging process is ONLY conducted online via the ACQ5 nomination platform.
2016 Methodology The ACQ5 HEDGE / FUND AWARDS 2016 are open to any practice, individual or related sector supplier.
We feel that the best way to “judge” is to take into account qualitative and quantitative metrics of “the fund” along with their experience of the management firms. With regard to quantitative measures, of course returns play the main role but we look at other factors such as performance relative to the peer group, volatility, draw downs, size of the fund etc. Qualitatively when judging, we will ask, “Is this a sensible business?”. Other programmes of this kind use a simple statistical rankings, such as only the highest sharpe ratio, which we feel belittles the industry and lowers their credibility amongst investors and serious hedge funds. Winners are selected based on a methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis (Data Provider Assistance). The process begins by running a quantitative screen over those either entering or automatically qualifying based on performance statistics, extracting raw performance figures as well as other important metrics. Where performance is our guide, those that meet the qualification criteria are then ranked based on various criteria. (returns, Sharpe and Sortino ratios and downside deviation etc). Those with the best aggregate ranking (and where applicable, with associated nominations) are selected as a winner in each category.
More than just performance (Non-performance categories) Whilst self-nomination is accepted, we encouraged entrants to circulate the voting information to strategic partners and clients to improve their chances of category winning success. Following a public call for nominations, the editorial staff of ACQ5 magazine selected award nominees based on how strongly candidates, both those put forward via the call for nominations, and those independently identified by the editorial staff, meet the criteria for their respective categories. Once the nominees were shortlisted, ACQ5’s editorial staff analysed the results of the voting to determine the winners, who are announced in this annual awards supplement. Where performance is not applicable, only categories with a sufficient number of votes were included in the final poll. The poll is not only designed to reflect actual performance in any particular area of expertise, it is also aimed to reflect direct market share based on a number of criteria and voters could base their decisions on addressing expertise, risk profile, understanding of a business and its needs, exposure, technical insight, long term approach, short term approach, governance, diversification, strategy, customer service, reliability, experience and knowledge, integrity. In that sense, this poll should be considered a reflection of how professionals view any practice, individual or related sector supplier in terms of overall quality of service. When analysing the votes, we looked to strip out what we considered to be invalid votes. These included multiple votes from the same person, proxy votes, votes from people using personal email accounts, votes by people who choose the same nominee indiscriminately throughout the poll and block votes from groups of people at the same institution voting for the nominee. Self-submission is however accepted. The editor’s decision was final. Practice area rankings were produced in each geography that ACQ5 has a penetration in. Because some practice areas have minimal presence in particular markets or geographies, or because there is not enough data garnered for proper evaluation, some practice areas that are covered in our research may not be represented in the 2016 awards publication. All of the quantitative and qualitative practice area data were combined and then added to actual “Best of Breed” nominations (where applicable) to provide the resultant overall “Best of Breed” for each geography. Any data accessed for such purposes was treated as confidential unless voters specifically allowed their nominations to be released to nominees. Data providers for the 2016 awards In addition to funds submitting themselves for performance awards, we work with data providers. Funds reporting to the data provider will be put forward if they meet the criteria and have positive performance for the periods under review. The judging panel will apply the same criteria to these funds and decisions will be based on both qualitative and quantitative factors. Launched by financial professionals in 2001, Eurekahedge’s track record spans over a decade, setting the company apart as the world’s largest independent data provider and alternative research firm specialising in hedge fund databases covering North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in New York and Cebu, the global expertise of its research team adapts to industry changes and needs, allowing Eurekahedge to develop and offer a wide array of products and services coveted by accredited investor groups, financial institutions and media sources. In addition to its hedge fund databases and analysis, Eurekahedge’s other business functions include hedge fund publications, due diligence services, investor services and an analytical platform service. www.eurekahedge.com
INTERNATIONAL ADVENT SOFTWARE APEX
FUND ACCOUNTING / REPORTING SYSTEM OF THE YEAR
INDEPENDENT FUND ADMINISTRATION SOLUTIONS PROVIDERS OF THE YEAR
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, NAÏM ABOU-JAOUDÉ
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
HIGH YIELD & CREDIT ARBITRAGE MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
MULTI-ASSET INCOME & GROWTH STRATEGY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
OVERALL ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
SYSTEMATIC LONG SHORT EQUITY STRATEGY OF THE YEAR
CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR (ODD), CHRISTOPHER J. ADDY
CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES
OPERATIONAL DUE DILIGENCE FIRM OF THE YEAR
CITY FINANCIAL INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD
BEST UCITS HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), CITY FINANCIAL ABSOLUTE EQUITY FUND (CLASS I ACC)
DANSKE INVEST HEDGE FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES
RELATIVE VALUE FIXED INCOME FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ECONOMICS PARTNERS, LLC
TRANSFER PRICING ADVISORY OF THE YEAR
EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION
HEDGE FUND IT SERVICE CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR
EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION
CLOUD COMPUTING SOLUTION OF THE YEAR (FUNDS)
EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JOHN CAHALY
FTM LIMITED
OFFSHORE FIXED INCOME FUND OF THE YEAR
GOTTEX ASSET MANAGEMENT
MULTI-ASSET INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS ADVISORY OF THE YEAR
HEDGE FUND RESEARCH
HF INDEX PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
INVESTMENT POD
WEALTH MANAGEMENT SOLUTION PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
NATIXIS ASSET MANAGEMENT
BEST MACRO HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), H2O ALLEGRO
OPUS FUND SERVICES
HEDGE FUNDS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (OFFSHORE)
ORANGEFIELD COLOMBUS
FULL SERVICE FUND SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
PARAMETRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD
BEST LONGSHORT EQUITY MANDATED (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), PARAMETRICA GLOBAL FUND LTD
PEREGRINE COMMUNICATIONS
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM OF THE YEAR
SATOR REGULATORY CONSULTING LIMITED
FUND CONSULTING & RESTRUCTURING FIRM OF THE YEAR, (CHANNEL ISLANDS)
SUNGARD HEDGE360
MANAGED ACCOUNTS TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
SYLEBRA HK COMPANY LTD
BEST GLOBALLY MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), SYLEBRA CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND LTD
VISTRA GUERNSEY
FUND AMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
VISTRA GUERNSEY
FUND OF HEDGE FUNDS AMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
VISTRA GUERNSEY
FUND OF HEDGE FUNDS AMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (OFFSHORE)
VONPREUSSEN HOHENBERG MANAGEMENT AG
BEST CTA MANAGED FUTURES HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), GLOBAL MACRO UNIVERSAL
AMERICAS 361 CAPITAL
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND OF THE YEAR (361 MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND)
50 SOUTH CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC
MULTI-MANAGER HEDGE FUND PORTFOLIO SOLUTIONS FIRM OF THE YEAR
ABSOLUTE VALUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
AC INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LLC
COMMODITIES FOHF MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ACE FUND SERVICES
FULL SERVICE FUND SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
ADAWS CAPITAL, LLC
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (DELAWARE)
ADAWS CAPITAL, LLC
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, CHRISTOPHER MAIHOFER, (DELAWARE)
ADAWS CAPITAL, LLC
LONG / SHORT STRATEGY FUND OF THE YEAR, ADAWS EAGLE FUND, LP:
ADVENT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
CAPITAL STRUCTURE ARBITRAGE PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ADVENT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
CONVERTIBLE ARBITRAGE FUND OF THE YEAR (1 YEAR), ADVENT HEDGED CONVERTIBLE FUND
AGECROFT PARTNERS LLC
INVESTOR RELATIONS TEAM OF THE YEAR
AGECROFT PARTNERS LLC
THIRD PARTY MARKETING FIRM OF THE YEAR
ALKIMIS SGR
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
ANCHIN BLOCK & ANCHIN
INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE YEAR
BARINGTON CAPITAL GROUP
ACTIVIST FUND OF THE YEAR (UNDER $1BN), BARINGTON COMPANIES EQUITY PARTNERS, L.P.
BARINGTON CAPITAL GROUP
LONG-TERM ACTIVIST INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
BAYOU CITY CAPITAL
CTA MANAGER OF THE YEAR
BNY MELLON
GLOBAL CUSTODIAN OF THE YEAR
BOOTHBAY FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC
EMERGING HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
BOOTHBAY FUND MANAGEMENT, LLC
EMERGING MULTI-STRATEGY FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), BOOTHBAY MULTI STRATEGY FUND
BROADRIDGE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
RISK MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
CAPSTONE PARTNERS LLC
MIDDLE MARKET INVESTMENT BANK OF THE YEAR
CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR (ODD), CHRISTOPHER J. ADDY
CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES
OPERATIONAL DUE DILIGENCE FIRM OF THE YEAR
CENTAUR ASSET MANAGEMENT
INVESTMENT / FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (BERMUDA)
CENTAUR ASSET MANAGEMENT
LEGAL FINANCING HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (BERMUDA)
CHECK FUND MANAGER LLC
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, GUY SIMONIAN
CHECK FUND MANAGER LLC
INVESTOR DUE DILIGENCE PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
CHECK FUND MANAGER LLC
OPERATIONAL DILIGENCE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION REPORT DATABASE OF THE YEAR
CHL CAPITAL
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (CHILE)
CONCEPT CAPITAL MARKETS LLC
PRIME BROKER OF THE YEAR
CONCEPTONE
NORTH AMERICAN REGULATORY ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR
CONIFER FUND SERVICES
ASSET MANAGEMENT SERVICING COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
CORE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
CORE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
SPECIALITY CREDIT FOHF OF THE YEAR, CORE CLASSIC
COWEN PRIME SERVICES
GLOBAL PRIME BROKER OF THE YEAR
CPV POWER HOLDINGS, L.P.
ELECTRIC POWER GENERATION DEVELOPMENT AND ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
DELOITTE
TRANSFER PRICING FIRM OF THE YEAR
DIX HILLS PARTNERS, LLC
GLOBAL INTEREST RATES FUND OF THE YEAR, DHP ABSOLUTE RETURN STRATEGIES
DMS OFFSHORE INVESTMENT SERVICES
REGULATORY ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR , (CAYMAN ISLANDS)
DRAKE FUND ADVISORS
FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR (MUTUAL / HEDGE FUNDS), (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
ECONOMICS PARTNERS, LLC
TRANSFER PRICING ADVISORY OF THE YEAR
EXCEPTION CAPITAL
GLOBAL LONG/SHORT MULTI-STRATEGY FUND OF THE YEAR, THE FAMILY FUND
FERRERE ECUADOR
INVESTMENT BANKING LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
FINSER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
EVENT-DRIVEN HEDGE FUND (2 YEARS) OF THE YEAR (CORFISER SIMI FUND)
FINSER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (FLORIDA)
FOREX CAPITAL MARKETS LLC
GLOBAL FOREX BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR
FUNDADMINISTRATION
FULL SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
FUNDADMINISTRATION
PREMIER FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
GALNET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
VOLATILITY ARBITRAGE CTA FUND OF THE YEAR, (GALNET ALPHA FUND LLC)
GALNET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
EMERGING VOLATILITY ARBITRAGE HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (GALNET ALPHA FUND LLC)
GALNET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
GALNET ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
OPTIONS STRATEGY OF THE YEAR
GENESEE INVESTMENTS LLC
SECURITIZED CREDIT FUND OF FUNDS OF THE YEAR, GENESEE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
GENESIS FUND SERVICES LIMITED
BOUTIQUE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FIRM OF THE YEAR, (THE BAHAMAS)
GLOBAL RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISORS
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, SAMUEL K. WON
GLOBAL RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISORS
INVESTMENT RISK MANAGEMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR
GNP CONSULTORES ASOCIADOS S.A.
TRANSFER PRICING FIRM OF THE YEAR
GRATIA CAPITAL LLC
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
GREENHAVEN ROAD CAPITAL
LONG BIASED EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
HALCYON FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, L.P.
NICHE IT SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR (INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT)
HARMONIC FUND SERVICES
HEDGE FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (CAYMAN ISLANDS)
HARNEYS
INVESTMENT FUNDS & REGULATORY LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
HATHERSAGE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
ABSOLUTE RETURN CURRENCY SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR
HEDGE FUND ASSOCIATION
INTERNATIONAL NOT FOR PROFIT INDUSTRY TRADE AND NONPARTISAN LOBBYING ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
HEDGEMARK
MANAGED ACCOUNT PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
HILLAIR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
EVENT DRIVEN EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
HYPERION CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
SUSTAINABLE QUANTITATIVE STRATEGY FUND OF THE YEAR, HELIOS FUND
HYPERION CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
SYSTEMATIC STRATEGY MANAGER OF THE YEAR
IMAGINE SOFTWARE
RISK MANAGEMENT PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
INDEXIQ
40 ACT LIQUID ALTERNATIVES FUND OF THE YEAR
INTERCAP
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (MEXICO)
KPMG
ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE YEAR, (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
LAUREOLA
FUND OF THE YEAR, THE LAUREOLA INVESTMENT FUND, (BERMUDA)
LEDGEX SYSTEMS LLC
HEDGE FUND CRM PLATFORM OF THE YEAR, LEDGEX CRM
LIONGUARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC.
LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR (1 YEAR), LIONGUARD OPPORTUNITIES FUND LP, (CANADA)
LIONGUARD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC.
LONG/SHORT EQUITY MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (CANADA)
LITTLE HARBOR ADVISORS, LLC
MULTI-MANAGER FUND OF THE YEAR
LOPRESTI LAW GROUP, P.C
SECURITIES LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LOPRESTI LAW GROUP, P.C
HEDGE FUND LAWYER OF THE YEAR
LOPRESTI LAW GROUP, P.C
HEDGE FUND LAWYER OF THE YEAR, MARC LOPRESTI, ESQ.
MGG INVESTMENT GROUP LP
PRIVATE DEBT FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
MONETA GROUP
FINANCIAL ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
MORGAN, LEWIS & BROCKIUS, LLP
CHINA INVESTMENT ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR, JAMES C. CHAPMAN
MOURANT OZANNES
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS)
NAV FUND ADMINISTRATION GROUP
HEDGE FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
NEDELMA INC
FUND ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING SERVICES FIRM OF THE YEAR
NEPHILA CAPITAL LTD
INSURANCE LINKED SECURITIES INVESTMENTS FIRM OF THE YEAR
NEXT LEVEL TRADING
NICHE TRAINING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (FUNDS TRADING)
NEXT LEVEL TRADING
INDICATOR TRADING SYSTEM OF THE YEAR, X90 WAVERIDER
OKUMUS FUND MANAGEMENT LTD
BEST NA MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), OKUMUS OPPORTUNISTIC VALUE FUND (CLASS A)
OYSTER CONSULTING, LLC
FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSULTANCY FIRM OF THE YEAR
OYSTER CONSULTING, LLC
REGULATORY ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR
PALL MALL ART ADVISORS
TANGIBLE ASSET MANAGEMENT ADVISORY OF THE YEAR
PAULSON & CO
EVENT DRIVEN ARBITRAGE INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE YEAR
PAVLIK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
EQUITY HEDGE EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PAVLIK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
NON DIRECTIONAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR
PAVLIK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
RELATIVE VALUE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PAVLIK CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
VOLATILITY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR
PAVLIK CAPITAL PARTNERS LLC
RELATIVE VALUE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PEAQ CAPITAL STRATEGIES, LLC
CTA OF THE YEAR (QUANTITATIVE STRATEGIES / MANAGED FUTURES )
PETERS ADVISORS LLC
TRANSFER PRICING ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR (FINANCIAL SERVICES)
PRISTINE ADVISERS
INVESTMENT FUND MARKETER OF THE YEAR
PRIVATE ADVISING GROUP
HEDGE FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
PRIVATE WEALTH SYSTEMS
INVESTMENT REPORTING PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
PROSKAUER ROSE LLP
OVERALL LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
PULTENEY STREET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
MULTI-STRATEGY FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
RED ROCK CAPITAL
TACTICAL COMMODITIES PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
RIVEMONT INVESTMENTS
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (QUEBEC)
ROGERSON LAW GROUP
ASSET PROTECTION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (CANADA)
ROTELLA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
DIVERSIFIED INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ROTELLA CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
DIVERSIFIED TREND FUND OF THE YEAR, ROTELLA POLARIS PROGRAM
SADIS & GOLDBERG LLP
GLOBAL FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
SADIS & GOLDBERG LLP
PRIVATE FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
STARPOINT PROPERTIES, LLC
REAL ESTATE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
STARWOOD ENERGY GROUP GLOBAL, LLC
ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS FIRM OF THE YEAR
STERLING FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
FIXED INCOME MORTGAGE BACKED FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), NPIF, (THE BAHAMAS)
SUNRISE CAPITAL PARTNERS
ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (CA)
SUNRISE CAPITAL PARTNERS
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JASON S. GERLACH
TARCAN CAPITAL LLC
INVESTMENT ADVISOR OF THE YEAR
THE BLUESHIRT GROUP
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
THE LIND PARTNERS LLC
ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
THIRD EYE CAPITAL
CUSTOMIZED LENDING SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (CANADA)
THIRD EYE CAPITAL
PRIVATE DEBT HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (5 YEARS), THIRD EYE CAPITAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND - INSIGHT FUND, (CANADA)
THIRD POINT LLC
EVENT DRIVEN INVESTMENT ADVISER OF THE YEAR
TKS SOLUTIONS
OVERALL PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
TRIGON INVESTMENT ADVISORS
DISCRETIONARY ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
VERDE ASSET MANAGEMENT
MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), CSHG VERDE FIC FIM, (BRAZIL)
VITEOS SHADOW-ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE YEAR WALEKPEPPERCOMM
PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM OF THE YEAR
WYNKOOP LLC
EARLY-STAGE INVESTMENT FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), TIMBERLINE FUND, LP
YULISH & ASSOCIATES
ALTERNATIVE FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (CA)
YULISH & ASSOCIATES
FUND OF HEDGE FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (CA)
YULISH & ASSOCIATES
HEDGE FUND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR, (CA)
ASIA APS ASSET MANAGEMENT
ASIAN L/S FUND OF THE YEAR, APS ASIA PACIFIC LONG SHORT FUND, (SINGAPORE)
APS ASSET MANAGEMENT
LONG/SHORT ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
ARTHVEDA CAPITAL
LONG BIAS ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (INDIA)
ARTHVEDA CAPITAL
LONG BIAS EQUITY STRATEGY OF THE YEAR (SMARTT ALPHA), (INDIA)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
EX JAPAN MANDATED HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC ASIA FRONTIER FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
FRONTIER FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC ASIA FRONTIER FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
NEW EMERGING MARKETS HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC IRAQ FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
ASIA FOCUSED HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC ASIA FRONTIER FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
BOUTIQUE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
FRONTIER MARKETS FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (CHINA)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
HIGH GROWTH ASIAN FRONTIER FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
HIGH GROWTH FRONTIER FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC VIETNAM FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
NICHE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR (AFC IRAQ FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
OPEN ENDED FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC ASIA FRONTIER FUND)
ASIA FRONTIER CAPITAL
SINGLE COUNTRY FUND OF THE YEAR (AFC VIETNAM FUND)
ASIACITI TRUST SINGAPORE PTE LTD
FUND ADMINISTRATION FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
ATHENAEUM LIMITED
FUND OF THE YEAR, ATHENAEUM ASIAN EQUITIES FUND, (SINGAPORE)
AUSCAP ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRALIA)
BLUE SKY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
ABSOLUTE RETURN FUNDS MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRALIA)
CENSERE GROUP
VALUE CONSULTING GROUP OF THE YEAR, (JAPAN)
EFA GROUP
DIRECT LENDING HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
EPIC PARTNERS INVESTMENTS CO.. LTD
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
EQUIP MYPENSION
AUSTRALIAN FUND OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRALIA)
EVENSTAR CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LTD
BEST EVENT DRIVEN HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), EVENSTAR SUB FUND I, (INC JAPAN)
FTM LIMITED
FIXED INCOME CREDIT EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
GREENWOODS ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD
BEST AXJ MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), GOLDEN CHINA FUND (RESTRICTED CLASS)
HAWKSFORD
CORPORATE, PRIVATE CLIENT AND FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
JBS INVESTMENTS
LONG-TERM FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
JEFF LEONG, POON & WONG
CORPORATE INVESTMENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
JP FUND ADMINISTRATION
HEDGE FUNDS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
LYGH CAPITAL PTE LTD
BEST NEW EMERGING HF (RETURN SINCE INCEPTION), GH CHINA CENTURY FUND, (GREATER CHINA)
ORCHARD GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
ALTERNATIVES ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
ORCHARD GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), CHAPELGATE, (SINGAPORE)
PHOENIX CAPITAL
ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (VIETNAM)
PHOENIX CAPITAL
EMERGING MARKETS FUND OF THE YEAR, (VIETNAM)
PLATINUM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD
BEST JAPAN MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN), WISDOM ADVANCED FUND JPY (S CLASS), (JAPAN)
PONTIS LAW
ASSET MANAGEMENT AND OFFSHORE FUND FORMATION LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (TAIWAN)
QRMO
RISK MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (HONG KONG)
QUAD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LTD
ASIA INC JAPAN - BEST NEW EMERGING HF (RETURN SINCE INCEPTION), (QUAD ASIA ABSOLVT FUND)
S.E.A. ASSET MANAGEMENT PTE LTD
ASIAN BOND FUND OF THE YEAR (S.E.A ASIAN HIGH YIELD BOND)
SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS
FUNDS MANAGEMENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR, MICHELLE SEGAERT
STI FINANCIAL GROUP
FX ARBITAGE FUND OF THE YEAR (5 YEARS), SPECTRA SPC - POWERFUND, (HONG KONG)
TACTICAL GLOBAL MANAGEMENT
GLOBAL MACRO FUND OF THE YEAR, GLOBAL MACRO STRATEGY (POST GFC), (AUSTRALIA)
TOMAS CAPITAL PTY LTD
ANTIFRAGILE TRADING FIRM OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRALIA)
TOTUS CAPITAL
ABSOLUTE RETURN MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRALIA)
TOTUS CAPITAL
LONG SHORT EQUITY MANDATED HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (TOTUS ALPHA FUND), (AUSTRALIA)
TOTUS CAPITAL
SUB 100M HEDGE OF THE YEAR (TOTUS ALPHA FUND), (AUSTRALIA)
VENUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
DIRECT LENDING HEDGE FUND (INDIA FOCUSED) OF THE YEAR (VENUS INDIA STRUCTURED FINANCE FUND)
VENUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
FIXED INCOME CREDIT EMERGING MANAGER (INDIA FOCUSED) OF THE YEAR (VENUS INDIA STRUCTURED FINANCE FUND)
VENUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
MULTI STRATEGY HEDGE FUND (INDIA FOCUSED) OF THE YEAR (VENUS INDIA STRUCTURED FINANCE FUND)
VENUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
OVERALL NEW EMERGING HEDGE FUND (INDIA FOCUSED) OF THE YEAR (VENUS INDIA STRUCTURED FINANCE FUND)
WOODSFORD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PTE LTD
QUANTITATIVE FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (SINGAPORE)
EUROPE A2E VENTURE CATALYSTS LIMITED
PRIVATE EQUITY FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
ACA APONIX
GLOBAL CYBERSECURITY SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
ADVANCE EMERGING CAPITAL
FUND OF FUNDS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
AFRICAN ALPHA INVESTMENT PARTNERS
AFRICAN INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
AIM EQUITY TR FUND
SYSTEMATIC EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR, (LIECHTENSTEIN)
ALCEDA FUND MANAGEMENT S.A.
FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
ALCEDA FUND MANAGEMENT S.A.
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
ALCEDA FUND MANAGEMENT S.A.
UCITS PLATFORM OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
ALIX CAPITAL
SPECIALIZED ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS BOUTIQUE OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS GMBH
EUROPEAN LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR, ALLIANZ DISCOVERY EUROPE STRATEGY, (GERMANY)
ALLIANZ GLOBAL INVESTORS GMBH
EUROPEAN MARKET-NEUTRAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
ANTECEDO ASSET MANAGEMENT
ARBITRAGE MANAGER OF THE YEAR
APPLETREE
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (GREECE)
APPLETREE
HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, VIOLET EMERGING MARKETS FUND, (GREECE)
AQUILA CAPITAL
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
AQUILA CAPITAL
HEDGE FUND ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
ARCUS INFRASTRUCTURE
INFRASTRUCTURE FOCUSED EUROPEAN FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
ARGONAUT CAPITAL PARTNERS
OFFSHORE FUND OF THE YEAR (ARGONAUT PAN EUROPEAN ALPHA), (UK)
ARMSTRONG INVESTMENT MANAGERS LLP
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, DR ANA ARMSTRONG
ARMSTRONG INVESTMENT MANAGERS LLP
MULTI-ASSET FUND OF THE YEAR, AIM MULTI ASSET FUND, (UK)
ASSET ADVANTAGE
INDEPENDENT BUSINESS FINANCE COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (UK)
AUSCAP ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
LONG SHORT EQUITIES FUND OF THE YEAR
AUSCAP ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
VALUE-BASED ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR
AYALTIS
INDEPENDENT FOHF MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
AYALTIS
RELATIVE VALUE OPPORTUNITIES FOHF OF THE YEAR (3 YEARS), ARECA SICAV SIF, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
GLOBAL MACRO EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
HNW/UHNW ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
MACRO ALTERNATIVE UCITS FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
MACRO HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
PRIVATE BANK OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BANK PÂRIS BERTRAND STURDZA SA
SUB 100M HEDGE OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BARNETT WADDINGHAM LLP
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR, (UK)
BCM & PARTNERS SA
CREDIT FUND OF THE YEAR, STELI FIXED INCOME OPPORTUNISM FUND (EUR), (SWITZERLAND)
BEF FUND
EMERGING FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), BALKANS & FRONTIER MARKETS EQUITY FUND, (SWITZERLAND)
BEF FUND
FRONTIER MARKETS EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BLUE DIAMOND ASSET MANAGEMENT
STATISTICAL ARBITRAGE HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
BMO GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
MULTI-STRATEGY ASSET MANAGEMENT TEAM OF THE YEAR
BMO GLOBAL ASSET MANAGEMENT
MULTI-STRATEGY FUND OF THE YEAR (F&C DIVERSIFIED GROWTH FUND)
BNP PARIBAS
PRIME BROKER OF THE YEAR
BONN STEICHEN & PARTNERS
FUNDS ADVISORY TEAM OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
BONN STEICHEN & PARTNERS
INVESTMENT FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
BUREAU VAN DIJK
TRANSFER PRICING SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
CALAMOS INVESTMENTS
ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
CANDRIAM INVESTORS GROUP
PAN-EUROPEAN MULTI-SPECIALIST ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
CAPITAL SUPPORT
GLOBAL CLOUD SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
LONG-TERM GROWTH FUND OF THE YEAR, LUXEMBOURG LIFE FUND FCP SIF, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
NICHE STRATEGY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, LUXEMBOURG LIFE FUND FCP SIF, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
OPEN ENDED FUND OF THE YEAR, LUXEMBOURG LIFE FUND, (LUXEMBOURG)
CARLISLE MANAGEMENT COMPANY SA
OVERALL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, LUXEMBOURG LIFE FUND FCP SIF, (LUXEMBOURG)
CHILTON INVESTMENT COMPANY, LLC
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
CLIFFORD CHANCE
OVERALL LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
CORDIUM
REGULATORY ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
C-QUADRAT
ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), C-QUADRAT ABSOLUTE RETURN SG FUND, (AUSTRIA)
C-QUADRAT
INDEPENDENT ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRIA)
CYGNUS ASSET MANAGEMENT SGIIC, SA
INDEPENDENT ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SOUTHERN EUROPE)
DA VINCI INVEST
SYSTEMATIC CTA OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
DAVINCI INVEST
SWISS ASSET FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
DAVINCI INVEST
SYSTEMATIC QUANTITATIVE CTA INVESTMENT STRATEGY OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
DEUTSCHE FINANCE GROUP
FUND OF FUNDS MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
DEUTSCHE FINANCE GROUP
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, SYMON HARDY GODL, (GERMANY)
DEUTSCHE FINANCE GROUP
INFRASTRUCTURE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
DEUTSCHE FINANCE GROUP
PRIVATE MARKET INVESTOR OF THE YEAR (REAL ASSET INFRASTRUCTURE)
DEUTSCHE FINANCE GROUP
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
EIFFEL INVESTMENT GROUP
ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (NETHERLANDS)
ELEUTHERA CAPITAL AG
SWISS INVESTMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR EUROPE, (SWITZERLAND)
FA SOLUTIONS
INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (PRIVATE EQUITY)
FINANZ KONZEPT AG
FUND OF THE YEAR, PHYSICAL DIAMOND FUND, (SWITZERLAND)
FINEX LLP
MULTI-ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
FINLABO SICAV
EUROPEAN EQUITIES FUND OF THE YEAR, FINLABO DYNAMICS EQUITY, (LUXEMBOURG)
FINLABO SICAV
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (ITALY)
FINLABO SICAV
UCITS IV COLLECTIVE INVESTMENT SCHEME OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
FINLES CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (NETHERLANDS)
GATEMORE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
BOUTIQUE FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
GL ASSET MANAGEMENT
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
HARCOURT ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
EUROPE (SWITZERLAND)
HAWKSFORD
CORPORATE, PRIVATE CLIENT AND FUND ADMINISTRATION SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
HELSINKI CAPITAL PARTNERS
MULTI-STRATEGY ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (FINLAND)
HÖHNE, IN DER MAUR & PARTNER RECHTSANWÄLTE OG
LEGAL ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR ,(AUSTRIA)
IMQ INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT B.V.
SEEDING PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
IN ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD
COMPANY FORMATION & MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (NETHERLANDS)
INDEPENDENT UCITS PLATFORM
EMERGING MARKET FOCUSED FUND OF THE YEAR, PRODIGY ASIA & EMERGING MARKETS FUND, (UK)
INDEPENDENT UCITS PLATFORM
FUND MANAGEMENT BOUTIQUE OF THE YEAR, (UK)
INVESTMENT QUORUM LTD
HIGH NET WORTH ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
IRI CORPORATE & MARITIME SERVICES (SWITZERLAND) AG
ASSET MANAGEMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
JABRE CAPITAL PARTNERS SA
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
JABRE CAPITAL PARTNERS SA
LONG/SHORT EMERGING MARKETS FUND OF THE YEAR, JABCAP EMEA MASTER FUND LIMITED, (SWITZERLAND)
KAIROS PARTNERS SGR SPA
EU MANDATED HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN) (KAIROS INTERNATIONAL SICAV KEY FUND)
KAIROS PARTNERS SGR SPA
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, MASSIMO TRABATTONI, (ITALY)
KAIROS PARTNERS SGR SPA
LONG BIAS EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR (KAIROS INTERNATIONAL SICAV KEY FUND)
KAIROS PARTNERS SGR SPA
UCITS HF (3 YEAR ANNUALIZED RETURN) (KAIROS INTERNATIONAL SICAV KEY FUND)
KB ASSOCIATES
SPECIALIST FUNDS CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR
KEILLS LIMITED
EXEMPT PROPERTY UNIT TRUST OF THE YEAR (KEILLS PROPERTY TRUST)
KEILLS LIMITED
NICHE PROPERTY FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
KOZLOWSKI & PARTNERS
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
KPMG ACCOUNTING FIRM OF THE YEAR KPMG HEDGE FUND ADVISER OF THE YEAR LA TORRE MORGESE CESARO RIO
ASSET MANAGEMENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LA TORRE MORGESE CESARO RIO
INVESTMENTS FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
LAFFITTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
ALTERNATIVE UCITS FUND OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LAFFITTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LAFFITTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
EQUITY HEDGE ALTERNATIVE UCITS FUND OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LAFFITTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LAFFITTE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
EVENT DRIVEN HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LCM PARTNERS
CREDIT INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
LCM PARTNERS
SPECIALIST FUND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
LECOCQASSOCIATE
BANKING LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
LEIBNIZ GROUP
CROSS-ASSET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR
LUXEMBOURG FUND PARTNERS S.A.
INTEGRATED INVESTMENT FUND SERVICES FIRM OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
LUXEMBOURG FUND PARTNERS S.A.
UCITS PLATFORM OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
LYXOR ASSET MANAGEMENT
ABOSLUTE RETURN MANAGER OF THE YEAR
LYXOR ASSET MANAGEMENT
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
LYXOR ASSET MANAGEMENT
MANAGED ACCOUNTS PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
M&A PROPERTY INVESTORS LTD
REAL ESTATE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (LUXEMBOURG)
MACRO CURRENCY GROUP
CURRENCY & MACRO ABSOLUTE RETURN BOUTIQUE OF THE YEAR, (UK)
MACRO CURRENCY GROUP
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
MAITLAND
AIFMD FUND PLATFORM OF THE YEAR
MAN GROUP
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS, (UK)
MARKHAM RAE LLP
ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
MARKHAM RAE LLP
FIXED INCOME MANAGER OF THE YEAR
MARKHAM RAE LLP
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JONATHAN MARTIN
MARKHAM RAE LLP
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR, KERRY DUFFAIN
MDOÂ MANAGEMENT COMPANY
INDEPENDENT FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR EUROPE (LUXEMBOURG)
MEDICIS ALTERNATIVE OPTION FUND
MARKET NEUTRAL FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
MEDICIS ALTERNATIVE OPTION FUND
SWISS MARKET NEUTRAL FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
MERRANT
NON DIRECTIONAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (OVER 3 YEARS), (SWEDEN)
MERRANT FONDER MERRANT ALPHA SELECT
MARKET NEUTRAL FUND OF HEDGE FUNDS OF THE YEAR, (SWEDEN)
MERRANT FONDER MERRANT ALPHA SELECT
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SWEDEN)
MERRANT FONDER MERRANT ALPHA SELECT
MARKET NEUTRAL FUND OF HEDGE FUNDS OF THE YEAR, (SWEDEN)
MERRANT FONDER MERRANT ALPHA SELECT
NON DIRECTIONAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (OVER 3 YEARS), (SWEDEN)
MERRION INVESTMENT MANAGERS
ACTIVE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (IRELAND)
MERRION INVESTMENT MANAGERS
GLOBAL MACRO FUND (1 YEAR) OF THE YEAR, MERRION HIGH ALPHA FUND (RIAIF), (IRELAND)
MOALEM WEITEMEYER BENDTSEN
HEDGE FUND CONSULTANT OF THE YEAR, (DENMARK)
MONFRINI CRETTOL & ASSOCIES
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR (ASSET RECOVERY), (SWITZERLAND)
MOORE STEPHENS
HEDGE FUNDS ADVISORY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
MULVANEY MANAGEMENT
BEAR MARKET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
MULVANEY MANAGEMENT
MANAGED FUTURES CTA OF THE YEAR, (UK)
NIELSEN MEINL, ADVOKÁTNÍ KANCELÁŘ, S. R. O.
INVESTMENTS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (CZECH REPUBLIC)
NORRON ASSET MANAGEMENT
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR
NORRON ASSET MANAGEMENT
LONG/SHORT EQUITY FUND OF THE YEAR, NORDIC FUND NORRON SELECT FUND
NORTHERN TRUST HEDGE FUND SERVICES
HEDGE FUNDS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
OAKS FIELD PARTNERS
DIVERSIFIED FUND OF THE YEAR, OFP OPTIMAL VALUE, (FRANCE)
OAKS FIELD PARTNERS
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR (ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE), (FRANCE)
ODYSSEY ANALYTIC SA
INDEPENDENT ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
OPTIMA FUND MANAGEMENT
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND (3 YEARS) OF THE YEAR, OPTIMA PARTNERS FOCUS FUND, (UK)
OPTIMA FUND MANAGEMENT
MULTI-MANAGER HEDGE FUND PROGRAM MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
PARIS CAPITAL ADVISORS
MARKET NEUTRAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, PARIS CAPITAL RELATIVE VALUE FUND, (UK)
PARIS CAPITAL ADVISORS
VOLATILITY HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
PARUS FINANCE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
PBS INVESTMENTS PLC
ALTERNATIVE ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR (MULTI-ASSET STRATEGIES)
PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT
ABSOLUTE RETURN SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR NORDIC
PEAK ASSET MANAGEMENT
MARKET NEUTRAL FUND-OF-FUNDS OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION), PEAK CORE HEDGE NORDIC
PIQUANT TECHNOLOGIES
CTA OF THE YEAR, (UK)
PIQUANT TECHNOLOGIES
EMERGING CTA OF THE YEAR, PIQUANT TECHNOLOGIES PEGASUS FUND, (UK)
PIQUANT TECHNOLOGIES
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, RODDY ORR, (UK)
PIQUANT TECHNOLOGIES
QUANTITATIVE ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
PREQIN
GLOBAL HEDGE FUND RESEARCH PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
PWC LLP
LARGE HEDGE FUND ADVISORY TEAM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
QCAM CURRENCY ASSET MANAGEMENT AG
DISCRETIONARY CTA OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
QQM FUND MANAGEMENT AB
EQUITY MARKET NEUTRAL HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWEDEN)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
BALANCED FUND OF THE YEAR (THE QUOTIDIAN FUND)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
DIVERSIFIED FOHF OF THE YEAR (UNDER 500M) (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
EQUITY HEDGE EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
GLOBAL MACRO EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
GLOBALLY MANDATED HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
MACRO HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
MULTI STRATEGY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (QUOTIDIAN FUND PCC PLC), (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
MULTI-ASSET PORTFOLIO OF THE YEAR, (UK)
QUOTIDIAN INVESTMENTS LLP
WEALTH MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
RBR CAPITAL ADVISORS AG
LONG BIAS FUND OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
ROBERT QUINN CONSULTING LTD
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, ROBERT QUINN, (UK)
ROBERT QUINN CONSULTING LTD
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SABRE FUND MANAGEMENT
LONG / SHORT EQUITY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SALTUS
REAL RETURN INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SCHRODER GAIA PRODUCT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
MULTINATIONAL ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SCM DIRECT
FUND MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
SCM DIRECT
LONG-TERM RETURN FUND OF THE YEAR (OVER 5 YEARS)
SEEDRS
EQUITY CROWDFUNDING PLATFORM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SEEDRS
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JEFF LYNN, (UK)
SEQUOIA CAPITAL FUND MANAGEMENT LLP
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
SEQUOIA CAPITAL FUND MANAGEMENT LLP
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR (FX), DOUGLAS GARISTINA
SISSENER
GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JAN PETTER SISSENER, (NORWAY)
SISSENER INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (NORWAY) SKËNDERBEG ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AG
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SWITZERLAND)
SKËNDERBEG ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AG
FOHF OF THE YEAR (SKËNDERBEG FUND), (SWITZERLAND)
SKËNDERBEG ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AG
LONG / SHORT EQUITY FOHF OF THE YEAR (SKËNDERBEG FUND), (SWITZERLAND)
SKËNDERBEG ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS AG
UCITS-COMPLIANT FUND OF HEDGE FUNDS OF THE YEAR (SKËNDERBEG FUND), (SWITZERLAND)
SLATER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND OF THE YEAR (NORTHGLEN AGGRESSIVE), (UK)
SLATER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
BOUTIQUE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SLATER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
SLATER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
LONG SHORT EQUITY FOHF OF THE YEAR (UNDER 500M), (UK)
SLATER INVESTMENTS LIMITED
SMALL/LONG EQUITY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR (NORTHGLEN AGGRESSIVE), MFM SLATER GROWTH FUND, (UK)
SMN INVESTMENT SERVICES GMBH
ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (AUSTRIA)
SMN INVESTMENT SERVICES GMBH
DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND OF THE YEAR (SINCE INCEPTION): SMN DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND, (AUSTRIA)
SMN INVESTMENT SERVICES GMBH
SYSTEMATIC MANAGER OF THE YEAR EUROPE (AUSTRIA)
STEPPENWOLF CAPITAL LLC
CROSS-ASSET INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
STEPPENWOLF CAPITAL LLC
MULTI MANAGER MULTI FUND INVESTMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
STRATTON STREET CAPITAL LLP
FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
STRATTON STREET CAPITAL LLP
FUND OF THE YEAR (JAPAN SYNTHETIC WARRANT FUND), (UK)
SUMI TRUST
ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (IRELAND)
SYCOMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT
EQUITY LONG/SHORT FUND OF THE YEAR, SYCOMORE L/S OPPORTUNITIES, (FRANCE)
SYCOMORE ASSET MANAGEMENT
INDEPENDENT INVESTMENT MANAGERS OF THE YEAR, (FRANCE)
TAIGA FUND MANAGEMENT AS
SMALL CAP INVESTMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (NORWAY)
TAIGA FUND MANAGEMENT AS
SPECIALIST EQUITY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, TAIGA FUND, (NORWAY)
TAM ASSET MANAGEMENT
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT ADVISORY FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UK)
THALIA SA
FOHF PLATFORM OF THE YEAR, THALÌA ALTERNATIVE SICAV (TAS), (SWITZERLAND)
THE ECU GROUP PLC
CURRENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (UK)
TREA CAPITAL PARTNERS, S.V.,
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SPAIN)
TRENDCONCEPT VERMÖGENSVERWALTUNG GMBH
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (GERMANY)
TRENDCONCEPT VERMÖGENSVERWALTUNG GMBH
SYSTEMATIC MANAGED FUTURES FUND OF THE YEAR, TREND CONCEPT FUND MULTI ASSET ALLOCATOR (GERMANY)
VÖLKL. RECHTSANWÄLTE
INVESTMENT DISPUTES LAWYER OF THE YEAR, DR. CLEMENS VÖLKL
XETRA – DEUTSCHE BÖRSE CASH MARKET
TRADING VENUE OF THE YEAR
MEA BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
EMERGING MARKETS HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA)
BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
HEDGE FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (MAURITIUS)
BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
MULTI STRATEGY HEDGE FUND OF THE YEAR, (SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA)
BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
NICHE FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (MAURITIUS)
BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
NICHE STRATEGY EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR, (SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA)
BARAK FUND MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIST FOHF OF THE YEAR (UNDER 500M), (SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA)
CENTUM INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (KENYA)
ENSAFRICA
INVESTMENT FUNDS LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR, (SOUTH AFRICA)
GLOBELEQ AFRICA, NORFUND AND CDC
TAKEOVER OF THE YEAR
MOCAMBIQUE PREVIDENTE SGFP
PENSION FUND MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR, (MOZAMBIQUE)
NOVARE INVESTMENTS
MULTI-MANAGER FUND PROVIDER OF THE YEAR, (SOUTH AFRICA)
NTK LAW FIRM
CAPITAL MARKETS ADVISORY TEAM OF THE YEAR, (ISRAEL)
OLD MUTUAL ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
ALTERNATIVE FUND OF THE YEAR (AFRICAN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT FUND)
OLD MUTUAL ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS
PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF THE YEAR
WERMUTH ASSET MANAGEMENT
ASSET MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, (UAE)
INTERNATIONAL / CANADA - OPERATIONAL DUE DILIGENCE FIRM OF THE YEAR, CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL / CANADA - GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR (ODD), CHRISTOPHER J. ADDY, CASTLE HALL ALTERNATIVES
Castle Hall Alternatives, a member of AIMA, is a leading specialist in operational due diligence of alternative and traditional asset managers. Castle Hall celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier in 2016, a milestone for the company and a chance to reflect on where the Operational Due Diligence industry has been and how the firm is positioned to serve the needs of asset allocators and gatekeepers as the industry continues to evolve. Best practice in investment oversight generally, and specifically with respect to operational due diligence, continues to evolve rapidly and Castle Hall is pleased to be recognized as being at the forefront of this field. With a team of more than 50, Castle Hall helps investors around the world build comprehensive due diligence programs across hedge fund, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and long only portfolios. Built upon Castle Hall’s next generation, online diligence architecture, DiligenceProfessional™ helps institutions, fund of funds, advisors, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans and family offices evaluate whether asset managers meet operational best practice. Castle Hall Alternatives is proud to have been recognized by ACQ5 for both of these award categories.
Operational Due Diligence is Evolving As the alternative asset industry has grown and matured, the discipline of operational due diligence (“ODD”) has become more prominent. Alternative asset investors no longer make decisions based on investment performance alone: allocators are equally focused on the risk of operational failure—be it through honest error or, in the worst case, through dishonesty and fraud. Investors also recognize that weak business infrastructure creates an unavoidable drag on performance. An asset manager with weak controls will not have the data, technology, and operational efficiency to ensure optimal implementation of the investment strategy. ODD, often an optional luxury before 2008, has become a mandatory component of alternative asset investing. Hedge funds and PE managers are no longer “different”, and institutional investors, often subject to fiduciary obligations, cannot accept lower operational standards simply because they are allocating to an alternative manager. As a result, it is becoming a baseline assumption that an alternative asset manager will match the operating standards and mitigate business risks in the same way as established, long-only money managers. ODD is the tool deployed by investors to ensure that alternative investment managers meet these evolving and more demanding requirements. Against this backdrop, Castle Hall sees the emergence of a new paradigm in ODD, which we call Due Diligence 3.0. What is Due Diligence 3.0? Due Diligence 1.0: Pre Madoff. Before 2008, operational due diligence was an optional, “nice to have”. For those investors who did conduct ODD, the process, scope and methodology of emerging ODD programs was very variable. Equally, there was a lack of commonality among hedge fund operating structures, exemplified by the existence of many self-administered funds. Due Diligence 2.0: Post 2008. In the Diligence 2.0 world, some level of hedge fund operational due diligence is now performed by virtually all asset owners. Diligence scope and methodology has also become somewhat more standardized, although some investors continue to have a “light touch”. Due Diligence 3.0 is a new model: Responding to an ever more sophisticated Governance, Risk and Compliance environment, ODD must now address four emerging themes and challenges for institutional and private investors.
1. MULTI ASSET CLASS Operational diligence should be applied across all third party asset manager relationships, not just hedge funds. Investors focused on governance, risk and compliance now require consistent operational risk information across all fund and account holdings, irrespective of asset class.
2. REAL TIME MONITORING, NOT SNAPSHOT REPORTS Traditional ODD has focused on a schedule of in person diligence meetings, with the output of each ODD cycle often limited to a report memorializing information gathered during each meeting. This process is then repeated every 1-3 years. Diligence 3.0 introduces a new operating model: the foundation of an effective ODD program is now an active, real time monitoring program, where the annual onsite visit and resulting diligence report is just one component of a far broader toolbox of diligence procedures.
3. A RISK-BASED APPROACH Operational risks for mutual funds, long only managed accounts, private equity funds and real estate investments are very different as compared to a traditional hedge fund. Different diligence procedures should be adopted to reflect different asset classes.
4. FINTECH Just as hedge fund managers no longer use Excel for accounting, ODD no longer relies on word-processed meeting reports. Technology has become critical to process ever increasing amounts of public and private information. Systems, bandwidth to curate data, and quality reporting and dashboard capabilities are vital to give asset owners an effective view of portfolio risks.
Due Diligence: Solved. DiligenceProfessional™, Castle Hall’s proprietary online diligence solution, is a risk-management platform for operational due diligence. Chris Addy, Castle Hall President & CEO, states, “In light of the evolution we see in the needs of asset allocators and their gatekeepers globally, we continue to enhance our systems and services to ensure we are providing maximum flexibility and value to our clients. It is truly an honour to have Castle Hall recognized by ACQ5 as the Operational Due Diligence Firm of the Year, and to be personally awarded Gamechanger of the Year for ODD in both the International and Canada categories.” The guiding principle of DiligenceProfessional™ is flexibility. Providing a powerful set of diligence tools, DiligenceProfessional™ allows investors to outsource their diligence program in full, co-source a program with Castle Hall in combination with internal diligence, risk and compliance professionals, or simply use Castle Hall’s services on an “as needed” basis. DiligenceProfessional™ tools can be applied to any fund or investment vehicle, and across all asset classes, from hedge funds to private equity to real estate and long only mandates. “Castle Hall is delighted to receive the award as the Operational Due Diligence Firm of the Year from ACQ5,” says Anne Coady, Managing Director of Castle Hall. “As a firm we are committed to building an innovative, transparent and cost-effective operational due diligence solution that responds to each client’s unique needs.”Echo Bell, Castle Hall Director - IT, adds, “These accolades are further testament to the efforts of our growing team and ongoing investment to refine and enhance our technology and service delivery.”
Looking Ahead Earlier this year, Caslte Hall launched DUE DILIGENCE UNIVERSITY™ - a growing ecosystem of white papers, online tools and other educational resources to support every aspect of the due diligence process. The firm’s inaugural DDU white paper, “Evaluating an Asset Manager’s Cybersecurity Environment: a guide for the operational due diligence practitioner”, and related webinar, will be followed by additional materials, resources, white papers and webinars in the months ahead.Following our announcement earlier this year of Castle Hall’s partnership with SwissAnalytics, we are pleased to announce the opening new offices in Sydney and Abu Dhabi to better serve our global client network. In response to the changing needs and focus of institutional allocators and investment fund governance professionals, Castle Hall also recently launched GovernanceDiligence™, and CyberSecurityDiligence™. Looking ahead, the firm expects to continue to grow its team and evolve its capacity and specialized diligence service offerings to meet the needs of institutional and private allocators globally. We are in the process of rolling out our newly remodeled DiligenceProfessional™ client platform with enhanced features and capabilities, delivering additional analytical metrics along with improved operational risk management and due diligence efficiencies to our clients. These are indeed, exciting times for Castle Hall Alternatives. The firm is grateful to its clients for partnering with Castle Hall to meet their specific operational due diligence and monitoring needs, and to ACQ5 for their recognition of the company’s work.
Company: Castle Hall Alternatives Website: www.castlehallalternatives.com
EUROPE - GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, DR ANA ARMSTRONG, ARMSTRONG INVESTMENT MANAGERS LLP UK - MULTI-ASSET FUND OF THE YEAR, AIM MULTI ASSET FUND, ARMSTRONG INVESTMENT MANAGERS LLP
Armstrong Investment Managers LLP 26 Dover Street London W1S 4LY United Kingdom T: +44 20 3409 6468 E: aim.admin@armstrongim.com
What do you believe are the reasons behind your success? AIM is extremely proud to be the recipient of this award, as it demonstrates our commitment to providing a leading UCITS solution for the multi-asset investment product range. Our business has strengthened across the board in terms of team, our distribution network and indeed the proprietary investment strategies we employ. Our strict focus on risk management has ensured we are always well placed to deal with volatility shocks, while still generating returns for our clients. How important do you believe awards like this to be, both to individual businesses like yourselves and to your wider industry? In the ever-growing and increasingly competitive investment landscape, investors (and their advisors) face a much tougher task in finding the right opportunities or solutions that most suit their requirements. Awards like this go a long way in helping to establish a connection between the investor and the established managers who are best suited to providing the solutions they are seeking. Please give us a brief overview of Armstrong Investment Managers LLP, your clients and the services you offer? AIM is a FCA regulated asset manager, which is focused on providing structured financial solutions to a diverse international client base. AIM has an in-house team of award winning fund managers and analysts that create excellent results for our clients. Our focus is to ensure that whatever solutions we provide to clients, that these solutions achieve a practical, successful and sustainable financial result for the future. Our team is expertly managed by Dr. Ana Cukic Armstrong, an investment professional with over 20 years of financial institutional experience. With her leadership, the Armstrong team strives to combine the experience and reliability of an institution, with the client-focus of a boutique firm. Our services include: Structured solutions to increase liquidity for existing portfolios Liquidity solutions to private equity investors Access to an existing Multi Asset fund, an award Global Macro fund and a UK OEIC Funds to an Irish UCITS/QIAIF platform onshore Segregated managed accounts While working on a fund, what measures do you take to ensure that it performs to its full potential and beyond? AIM start with the risk budget of a fund. The weight of each position is determined on the basis of the level of conviction and its marginal contribution to risk. Risk is used interactively in portfolio construction. We apply the quantitative models that we have been developing over the last 20 years to identify the best investment opportunities. What is your philosophy behind client service? How do you maintain the high standards you set yourselves across your company? Our investment process is built on a set of key beliefs: • The pursuit of excellence requires significant investment in human capital. • The interaction of model driven trade and discretionary beliefs is the key to long run out-performance. • Peer reviewed research and development are required to identify strategic opportunities. • Our research mandate focuses on: (i) Generating superior alpha by identifying asset pricing anomalies; (ii) Generating superior returns by harvesting risk premia within ex-ante volatility bounds. • Our investment mantra allocates between contrarian and trend following strategies, value/growth and carry investing, within and across asset classes. • Inflation is the ultimate destroyer of long run purchasing power. Real diversification is a key component of our investment beliefs. While working in an industry that is constantly changing, what measures do you to ensure that you are at the forefront of any emerging developments and trends? AIM work closely with academic developments and concepts that involve the asset allocation, quantitative modelling, risk premia, portfolio construction and risk management. We have developed the following risk premia strategies: • • •
Cross-sectional momentum (across US, UK and EU equities) Time-series momentum (across FX, Commodities and EQ Index futures) Carry (within FX and Commodities futures markets) These strategies have delivered a robust return during the recent market sell-off.
What makes your firm unique? How do you distinguish yourselves from your competitors, and present yourselves as an exclusive option for your clients? AIM’s experience and expertise has allowed us to remain flexible and open to the requirements of all investors. Our knowledge of UCITS products puts us ahead of the increasing number of firms who are rushing to provide similar solutions. Dr. Ana Armstrong’s core strengths in asset allocation and risk management, developed over 20 years, provide clients with the assurances they need that their capital is protected and managed to the highest standard. Tell us about the culture within your company and the things you do to maintain and develop it. How does it influence your interactions with and results achieved for your clients? Dr Armstrong has fostered an environment of collaboration and knowledge sharing across functions, where each individual brings different expertise to the each of the investment, operational and distribution efforts. The variety of background and strengths ensures a diversified outlook is utilised when filtering towards each decision, but crucially also significantly lowers any key-person operational risks in the company. What have been the most prevalent trends in your industry over the past 12 months? The robust portfolio solutions will focus on cross sectional models that are long and short different market segments. Asset allocation calls are increasingly difficult to make and there has clearly been an increase in the demand for multi asset products that can invest across different asset classes. What does the future hold for your firm? What plans do you have to both maintain and build upon your success? -
Further development of intellectual property, focusing on quantitative and empirically tested investment models. Expansion to other markets including the Middle East and Asia.
During the darkest days of the global financial crisis (GFC) one thought kept going through my mind. What if the only way to beat the market was to “Forget the Market?”. Honestly, just then all I wanted to do was forget the market. I was terrified of what the new trading day would bring. Everywhere I looked, it was a sea of red and the concept of diversification didn’t mean a dam thing! Established market, emerging market, none of it offered protection for my clients. Previously uncorrelated assets fell in tandem and there was literally nowhere to hide.
Up until the GFC I thought investing was relatively easy: simply pick the next up and coming emerging market fund from Russia, China or India, throw in some main stream market equites, some bonds, some futures and maybe even an arbitrage fund, take a long term buy and hold approach and based on past performance, you were set.
F I X E D I N C O M E C R E D I T E M E R G I N G M A N AG E R O F T H E Y E A R , F T M L I M I T E D
Unfortunately, the value of a good fund manager isn’t really evident until everything turns to custard. Up until late 2007, virtually every fund manager was a genius as they kept making money for their clients …….. until they didn’t. That’s when I learnt the hard truth that you could only find which fund manager was actually worth their salt in a downturn and no, the fact that you lost less than everyone else did not necessary make you a good fund manager. In truth, most failed the task miserably.
So I lay awake at night in a cold sweat, wondering what I could have done differently, with that same thought churning over and over in my mind “Forget the Market”! Seriously, I wanted nothing more than to get rid of that lump in my throat. To get out from under that elephant sitting on my chest as I went into the office.
Could it really be that simple? Was there really another way to invest? What if you could generate returns similar to the long-term market averages but without investing in the market? Was it even possible to contemplate such a crazy idea?So I set out to examine every type of investment strategy I could find, to see what worked and also dug into what didn’t work and why. My mission was simple: to create an investment strategy that could match the market long term averages but not be at the mercy of them. One in which my friends, family and clients (that were still speaking to me), could invest in without sleepless nights and avoid these horrific market drops. It seemed really simple. All I had to do was not lose money so that any profits generated weren’t wasted on trying to claw back past losses. Oh, and I wanted it be capital secured too.
Honestly, there was no point doing what everyone else was doing because then we would just end up in crowded trades and eventually, if history was any guide, we would wind up going through another massive downturn. After all, Wall Street had already lost over 45% of the typical investor’s money
During the During TWICE overTWICE over darkestthe darkest the past days pastAnd of thedays of financial 17the 17 years. the global years. global financial if youyou you And lose 45% lose 45% you need a crisis (GFC) crisis (GFC)over oneTWICE one During the darkest the past 17 years. days of the global And if you loseif 45% financial crisis (GFC) you need a need a one thought kept thought gain gainjust of 81.8% 81.8% going kept going through just through to break to break my mind. even. mind. What To meeven. To mealternative the saner the saner alternative if thetogain theWhat only way only of way to ofjust thought kept going 81.8% through my mind.my to break even. To me the saner What if the onlyif way alternative to beat the market beat the was never to never wasmarket was to take take the to the first “Forget loss loss place.Then in the in the first place.Then the“Forget the Market?”.just Market?”. Honestly, I I justwas beat the market was never to take the loss was to “Forgettothe in the first place.Then Market?”. Honestly, Honestly, I stumbled stumbled stumbled just then all I wanted then alltoI do upon upon an investment wanted an investment to do was was strategy strategy forget forget that that the the had had market. market. been been I I used used was was since since 1996 terrified terrified 1996 of of then all I wanted upon an investment to do was forget the market. I was terrified of strategy that had been used since 1996 what the new what and and had the new never ever ever trading had year. daytrading day would a negative negative would bring. bring. Everywhereand year. That That meant Everywhere meant the it survived it survived the I looked, it never what the new trading never ever had a negativea year. day would bring. That meant it survived Everywhere I looked, Iitlooked, it the was a sea of was Russian Default Russian Default sea of reda and and the and LTCM thered LTCM Bailout concept Bailoutthe of concept of diversification diversification of 1998, of Tech 1998, the Tech didn’t mean didn’t mean was a sea of red Russian Default and LTCMand and the concept Bailout of 1998, the of diversification didn’t mean Tech Wreck of Wreck of Wreck of a dam thing! a dam 1999,ofrecession thing! Established recession Established ofthe 2000 market, emerging market,market, and and emerging market, nonerecession GFC GFC of 2007-2009 of the 2007-2009 and it and it of1999, it a dam thing! Established market, emerging of 2000 and2000 the GFC of 2007-2009 market, none of itnone of it1999, and it offered offered for never missed never protection missed a beat. a beat. for my my clients. clients. Previously Previously uncorrelated uncorrelated assets assets offered protectionprotection never missed a beat. for my clients. Previously uncorrelated assets fell tandem fell and in tandem and literally there was there was literally nowhere to hide. nowhere fell in tandeminand there was literally nowhere to hide. to hide. The Birth ofThe Birth of FTM FTM The Birth of FTM Up until theUp until From the time From the GFCinvesting GFC time of itswe I thought I thoughtwas ofthe its inception inceptionFTM investing waseasy: we was knewsomething relatively From FTM was something easy: the simply Up until the GFC time of its inception I thought investing we knew FTMknew was relatively relatively was something easy: simply simply pick the next pick really different. reallyEven different. upthe up and andnext Even coming coming our our logo logo emerging emerging is is out out market market there, there, it’s it’s awith fund fund a light light bulb with from from pick the next up really different. and coming emerging market fund from Even our logo is out there, it’s a light bulb withbulb Russia, China Russia, legs signifying legsasignifying China or India, or India, great ideaa with greatroom throw throw idea to in some in some with room main main stream legs stream run. Ourto run. Our mission market Russia, China or India, signifying a great idea throw in some main with room to run. stream market market Our mission mission equites, some equites, statement isstatement some is “A new bonds, bonds, “A new breed some some breed of futures of financial financial So, andfutures maybe and maybe even thinking”. thinking”. So, an equites, some bonds, statement is “A new breed some futures and of financial thinking”. maybe even an even an So, in March in March in March arbitrage arbitrage 2010 AFTM FTM Class take afund, take A was wasClass long term opened terma buy buyapproach to opened to and and holdand the publicthat hold public approach andtime since that time and2010 arbitrage fund, takefund, 2010 FTM Class A was opened a long termlong buy and hold and to the publicthe approach and and since thatsince time based on past based it has notched it has on past performance, performance, upnotched up 78 78 positive positive you were set. you were set. months months in in a a row row for for a a total return, total return, based on past performance, it has notched up 78 positive months in a row for a total return, you were set. net of fees, of fees,net of 72.84% 72.84% and and an annualized an annualized return return All of 8.75%. All 8.75%. net of fees, ofof72.84% and an annualized return of 8.75%.ofAll Unfortunately, Unfortunately, done without done anywithout any value ofthe value fund leverage of a good a good at leverage all while at all whiletoadhering fund manager donereally manager adhering to every single every single Unfortunately, the value the without any leverage of a good fund at all while adhering manager isn’t reallyisn’t really isn’t to every single evident until evident criterion outlined criterion until everything outlined above. everything above. turns to custard. turns to Upcustard. Up2007, until late late 2007,outlined evident until everything criterion above. turns to custard. Up until late until 2007, virtually every virtually fund every fundwas manager manager was a genius asa genius they kept making keptasmaking virtually every fund manager was a genius as they keptthey making money for their money There is something for their clients clients seriously seriouslynot …….. until …….. until they liberatingtied they didn’t. didn’t. not to being That’s whenThat’s when I There IThere is something the tied to the money for their clients …….. until they is something seriously liberatingliberating didn’t. That’s when not being tiedbeing to the I learnt the hard learnt whimsbankers the that hard truth of central of central truth that only you find andbankers and policy could couldwhich policy makers only find andmakers fundwhich fund of whims being and being able to learnt the hard truth whims central bankers and that you couldyou policy makers and only find which fund being able to able to manager was manager to sleepgo to sleep actuallywas actually worth without without worrying worth worrying what salt intheir salt in a and the new the new a downturn downturn trading daytrading day will no, go and no,gowithout will manager was actually to sleep worth their salt their worrying what the what in a downturn new trading day and no, will the fact that the bring. bring. fact that you you lost losteveryone less less than than everyone else else did did not not necessary necessary the fact that you bring. lost less than everyone else did not necessary make you amake a good fundInmanager. goodyou fund In truth, truth, most failedmost failed make you a good fund manager. manager. In truth, most failed the task the task the task miserably. miserably. The graph below The graph belowthe illustrates illustrates growththe of growth of AFTM Class Class A since since miserably. The graph below illustrates the growth of FTM ClassFTM A since inception inception inception So I lay awake So I at lay awake nightsweat, in at in a cold a cold sweat, wondering wondering what what I could So I lay awake at night in anight cold sweat, wondering what I could I could have done differently, have done differently, with thought that same that same thoughtover churning churning over have done differently, with that with same thought churning over and inand my over my mind mindin“Forget the“Forget the Market”!I Seriously, Market”! I wanted and over in myover mind “Forget the Market”! Seriously, Seriously, I wanted wanted nothing nothing more than than to get lump rid oftothat rid of in that in my throat. To get mylump throat. nothing more thanmore to get rid ofget that lump in my throat. To get To get out from under out from that under thatsitting elephant sitting on my chestonasmy chestinto as I went into I went out from under that elephant elephant sitting on my chest as I went into
FTM Limited FTM Limited Lim N a m e : E n d r e NDaombeo:z Ey n o ibnogz yD, i rMeac nt oa rg iFnTgMDLi irm , d MraenD ag e ci t eodr FLTi cMeFnTLsiMm e di t SeedictLueirdci et inesseddeSael ec ru r i t i e s d e a l e r Name: Endre Dobozy, Managing Director FTM Limited Licensed Securities dealer Email: endre@ Em : teunadl r. ce o@m f t ami lm ftm Wm e bt uAadl .dc roems sW eb Ad r em s su: tw : w ww . fd tm t mPmhuotnuea l+. c6o7m u awl w . c .of m Phone +678 238 39 Email: endre@ftmmtual.com Web Address: www.ftmmutual.com Phone +678 238 39 8 238 39
F I X E D I N C OFM I XEE DC RI NE C E ECRRGE IDNI G DO I T ME M T EM MAE N RG I NEGR M AG OA F NT AG H E EYRE AORF, FTTHM E YL EI M A IRT ,E D FTM LIMITED F I X E D I N C O M E C R E D I T E M E R G I N G M A N AG ER OF THE YEAR, FTM LIMITED
I ACAIPFSAI C IC A I FPI A CC I F I C A S I AA PS A A S I A PAC I F I C
FTM Limited Name: Endre Dobozy, Managing Director FTM Limited Licensed Securities dealer Email: endre@ftmmtual.com Web Address: www.ftmmutual.com Phone +678 238 39
TWICE over the past 17 years. And if you lose 45% you need a gain of 81.8% just to break even. To me the saner alternative was never to take the loss in the first place.Then I stumbled upon an investment strategy that had been used since 1996 and never ever had a negative year. That meant it survived the Russian Default and LTCM Bailout of 1998, the Tech Wreck of 1999, recession of 2000 and the GFC of 2007-2009 and it never missed a beat.
The Birth of FTM From the time of its inception we knew FTM was something really different. Even our logo is out there, it’s a light bulb with legs signifying a great idea with room to run. Our mission statement is “A new breed of financial thinking”. So, in March 2010 FTM Class A was opened to the public and since that time it has notched up 78 positive months in a row for a total return, net of fees, of 72.84% and an annualized return of 8.75%. All done without any leverage at all while adhering to every single criterion outlined above.
There is something seriously liberating not being tied to the whims of central bankers and policy makers and being able to go to sleep without worrying what the new trading day will bring.
The graph below illustrates the growth of FTM Class A since inception
How does FTM work? The predominant investment strategy used by FTM was born out of an opportunity to exploit the inefficiencies of the US medical system when it comes to the delays incurred by doctors, hospitals and medical practitioners in the payment for treatment of personal injury cases. Today, more than ever, cash flow is the key to meeting operating costs and, in an effort to speed up the payment process, doctors, hospitals and medical practitioners are willing to accept less now instead of waiting years for payment. It is this that enables FTM to fund the purchase of discounted medical receivables
ASIA PACIFIC FIXED INCOME CREDIT EMERGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR, FTM LIMITED
FTM Limited Name: Endre Dobozy, Managing Director FTM Limited Licensed Securities dealer Email: endre@ftmmtual.com Web Address: www.ftmmutual.com Phone +678 238 39
and, by assuming the risk, generate a substantial return. The majority of the research and direct purchase of the receivables is done via a Medical Accounts Receivables company which is, for want of a better word, a “go between” between an insurance company and a medical patient. Imagine the following example. There is a car accident, with the result that the injured party (who is not at fault) will require back surgery. Now, as long as we can prove that they are not at fault, that this is not a pre-existing condition and that the policy limit is sufficient to warrant it, then the receivables company will fund the operation now and collect from the insurance company upon settlement. In the meantime the receivables company places a lien against the insurance proceeds.
So, I wondered how FTM Class A would compare over the same time frame as we are up 68.22% in a little over six years. Assuming FTM Class A continued with its annualised return of 8.74%, the return for the 8 years would be 80.23% and that’s with less than 1% exposed to the market.Then I thought I would compare FTM Class A performance against the major market indices from January 1st 2016 to June 30th 2016 as the markets have had a pretty tough run so far this year. In fact, the reality is that most markets have gone nowhere for the past two years.
The medical procedures covered would have taken place eventually with or without the intervention of the receivables company but, by providing the funding, the operation can happen sooner and the injured party can resume a normal life much faster. The hospitals also provide the surgery at a discount, because they get paid sooner instead of having to wait years for the settlement of the claim. This is similar, in principle, to accounts receivables factoring, but with a critical difference. In traditional factoring a company buys a large pool of debt and simply hopes that enough will be paid to ensure a profit. In our case, the Medical Accounts Receivables Company pick and choose the cases they wish to fund and, on average, four out of every five cases reviewed are rejected. Additionally, the receivables company aims for an average purchase price of 33 cents on the dollar as investor safety is paramount. It should also be remembered that the payer is an insurance company, not a patient or hospital. The FTM Difference The truth is, you work hard for your money and the only reason to invest is to make it grow over time so you can improve your living standard or have a less stressful retirement. Either way we created FTM to help not to hinder. Personally, I believe a lot of fund managers would do better if they approached investing this way and maybe the hedge fund industry in general wouldn’t be getting as much negative press. You may have heard of the $1,000,000 bet between Warren Buffett (one of the world’s greatest investors) and Ted Seides (a famous Hedge Fund manager) with the proceeds being donated to charity. The bet is for 10 years with Warren Buffett betting that a low cost index fund (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) will outperform the collective performance of the group of five hedge funds selected by Seides. Well here we are a little over eight years into the bet and the index fund is up almost 66% while the hedge funds are up around 22% for the same time.
The investment landscape has changed 15 years ago you would simply ask your client how much they wanted to live off in their retirement. If they said $50,000 a year, then you knew they needed to grow their investments to $1,000,000 and then they could simply put that $1,000,000 in the bank and get $50,000 a year to live off without eating away at the principal. Now there are five countries with negative interest rates and many more at zero. Exactly how much money do you need to accumulate so that you can earn interest of $50,000 a year in a zero interest world? According to the Financial Times, more than $11.7 trillion of government bonds worldwide offer yields below zero. So, if you are interested in finding out more about an investment strategy that is:
LUXEMBOURG O P E N E N D E D F U N D O F T H E Y E A R , L U X E M B O U R G L I F E F U N D , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A A S S E T M A N A G E R O F T H E Y E A R , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A F U N D M A N A G E R O F T H E Y E A R , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A L O N G - T E R M G R O W T H F U N D O F T H E Y E A R , L U X E M B O U R G L I F E F U N D F C P S I F , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A N I C H E S T R AT E G Y H E D G E F U N D O F T H E Y E A R , L U X E M B O U R G L I F E F U N D F C P S I F , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A O V E R A L L H E D G E F U N D O F T H E Y E A R , L U X E M B O U R G L I F E F U N D F C P S I F , C A R L I S L E M A N A G E M E N T C O M PA N Y S A
Jose Garcia, CEO Carlisle Management Company 9 rue Sainte Zithe, 1st Floor, Luxembourg L-2763 info@cmclux.com
Carlisle Management Company SCA is a full-service, regulated investment management firm that specializes in alternative asset classes and has particular depth in life settlements. Carlisle is based in Luxembourg, where it established its headquarters and fund domicile to take advantage of the country’s stringent and well-regulated financial systems in the alternative asset space. The firm emphasizes a comprehensive full-service management approach, and as a result it performs a wide range of tasks over the entire life cycle of its investment vehicles. The Carlisle team is comprised of accomplished senior executives who collectively bring more than six decades of investment experience across multiple industry sectors to the management of the firm’s investment products and strategy. Carlisle has experienced exponential growth since its inception, and has garnered a reputation as a pioneer and market leader for investment solutions in the life settlements space. Carlisle’s strategy involves delivering a razor-sharp focus on the asset classes in which it invests, and the application of this focus on life settlements has been a significant factor in its success. After years of assisting institutional clients in the development, structuring, and management of captive investment vehicles, Carlisle’s principals realized that the lack of viable investment products in the space afforded them an excellent opportunity to fill the void for this minimally correlated asset class. From this realization was born their flagship investment vehicle, the Luxembourg Life Fund FCP SIF: Long Term Growth Fund. In the years since that fund’s introduction, the life settlement industry has grown at a phenomenal rate and Carlisle has been well positioned to help its investors take full advantage of these gains through its unwavering attention and expertise across all areas of the industry.
Carlisle puts significant emphasis on designing investment products that meet the demanding needs of its diverse and discerning investor base consisting of institutional investors, financial intermediaries, and high net worth individuals. As an example, in order to provide the increased transparency that many of its investors require the firm offers open-ended funds using mark-to-market valuation systems involving trusted independent service providers at key steps of the process, thus creating that necessary transparency. Carlisle also works to ensure their products are tax-optimized, have strong yet efficient organizational structures, and include all necessary regulatory oversight. Two of the firm’s other key differentiators are its well defined processes for sourcing, underwriting, and valuing life settlements, and its long-standing relationships in the life settlements marketplace. These aspects have allowed Carlisle to excel among its peers in areas such as product acquisition and portfolio management. In order to help improve the long-term prospects of the market, the firm is very active promoting consumer education on life settlements to seniors and insurance providers. Carlisle also continues to innovate in the space by developing new products on both the supply and the investment product sides, while continuing to grow its network of service providers and acquisition sources. It is through these strategic initiatives, its exclusive focus on life settlements, and its dedication to designing investor-friendly, innovative, and robust investment vehicles that Carlisle has positioned itself to remain a market leader in the life settlements investment market for many years to come.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L CLOUD COMPUTING SOLUTION OF THE YEAR (FUNDS), EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION HEDGE FUND IT SERVICE CONSULTANCY OF THE YEAR, EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JOHN CAHALY, EZE CASTLE INTEGRATION
Vinod Paul Chief Commercial Officer Eze Castle Integration Web: sales.all@eci.com
Eze Castle Integration is the leading provider of strategic IT solutions and private cloud services to the hedge fund and asset management industry. Since its establishment in 1995, businesses continue to adopt the Eze Private Cloud due to the vast benefits that firms are experiencing, including cost savings, flexibility, reliability and resiliency. The Eze Private Cloud is a professionally managed IT platform tailor-made for financial firms and offers 24x7x365 support – a service ideal for the always-on firm. The platform is powered by state-of-the-art technology from VMware, Cisco, Dell, and NetApp and incorporates layers of profound security including intrusion detection and prevention via eSentire. It also undergoes continuous security scans and regular vulnerability assessments to keep threats out. The multifaceted suite of services built within the Eze Private Cloud include: • Eze Managed Suite, a comprehensive IT package that bundles applications and file services with a fully-managed, highly secure and redundant infrastructure; • Eze Managed Infrastructure, an infrastructure as a service offering ideal for application hosting; • ECI Link Global Network, which connects to trading parties including NYSE Technologies Marketplace and the SunGard Global Network;
• Eze Voice, a cloud-based voice over IP (VoIP) solution providing high levels of redundancy and quality of service; and • Eze Disaster Recovery, a fully-managed DR service. In an unpredictable world, with advancing security breaches and mounting risks, firms can never be too prepared. To help firms navigate the shifting risk landscape, achieve compliance and support a prosperous future, Eze Private Cloud solutions include many of the cyber security safeguards the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires registered investment companies and registered investment advisors to have in place. To help firms prepare for future SEC exams and adhere to regulatory mandates including the implementation of policies and procedures, as well as, Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), the company offers a variety of services. For example, our experienced consultants are working with firms to create Written Information Security Policies (WISP) that address the administrative and technical safeguards a firm must have in place to withstand a cyber security incident and demonstrate preparedness. When firms select Eze Castle Integration as their IT service provider, they are also gaining a trusted business partner. Our client-centric approach is conveyed in all of the company’s endeavors to ensure that we are providing firms with the most conversant, advanced technology solutions to help customers increase revenue and protect invaluable assets.
I TA LY H E D G E F U N D M A N A G E R O F T H E Y E A R , F I N L A B O S I C AV
F i n l a b o S i c a v - w w w . fi n l a b o s i c a v . c o m A: 42, Rue de la Vallée, L-2661- Luxembourg. T: +352 27 726 100 F i n l a b o S I M – w w w . fi n l a b o . c o m A: Corso Persiani, 45. 62019- Recanati. Italy. T: +39 071 7575053 Contacts: Alessandro Guzzini (Finlabo SIM) Paolo Lo Grillo (Finlabo SICAV) E - m a i l : i n f o @ fi n l a b o . c o m
Alessandro Guzzini and Anselmo Pallotta
Finlabo Investments Sicav was one of the first UCITS launched in Europe and now has more than 10 years of experience, offering both institutional and private investors, a set of high-quality alternative sub-funds with different geographical focuses and risk-profit profiles. The flagship fund of the Sicav, the Finlabo Dynamic Equity, has been one of the best performers of the European Long/short Equity category since its inception in 2006 and was recently listed in the ETF Plus segment of Milan Stock Exchange. The key success factors of Finlabo’s investment strategies derive from an active management approach and a set of sophisticated quantitative models and software, designed and executed by the investment manager, Finlabo SIM, leaded by its co-founders, Alessandro Guzzini (CEO) and Anselmo Pallotta (Director). The investment process executed by the firm relies on a framework of extensive research and financial analysis. On one hand, the asset allocation process is founded on an in-house developed stock-picking model, which evaluates about 8,000 stocks daily and spots investment opportunities on stocks with attractive and quality fundamental and technical factors. On the other hand, the equity portfolio is dynamically hedge through short positions on index futures, minimizing risk exposure and volatility levels.
Thanks to the execution of this quantitative approach, the Finlabo Dynamic Equity has registered a historical average yearly return of more than 6%, which means the fund has consistently outperformed equity markets and hedge funds indexes, while maintaining considerably lower levels of volatility. The Assets under management of Finlabo Investments Sicav are expanding at a fast pace, almost doubling its size in the last 2 years as institutional and private investors, seeking for alternative strategies with the ability of creating value in spite of market conditions, have found on Finlabo flagship fund an optimal investment solution. Currently, the customer portfolio of Finlabo includes banks, foundations, asset management firms, pension funds and family offices, with activities in UK, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Spain, between other European business spots. In general, the company maintains a positive perspective about European Equity markets in the mid and long term. According to Alessandro Guzzini, CEO and investment manager of Finlabo, “afterwards the corrections registered during last year, we hold a positive view of European stocks. We believe there are interesting investment opportunities and we are confident we will be able to continue to perform pretty well in the coming years”.
OFFSHORE FIXED INCOME FUND OF THE YEAR, FTM LIMITED
FTM Limited Name: Endre Dobozy, Managing Director FTM Limited Licensed Securities dealer Email: endre@ftmmtual.com Web Address: www.ftmmutual.com Phone +678 238 39
I watched the Brexit drama unfold live and, to me, it was more exciting than any Hollywood blockbuster packed with drama and suspense. I really felt for investors at the mercy of the wild market swings having to come to terms with a 27-member European Union (at least for now) facing the biggest shock to Europe since the fall of the Berlin wall. As you would expect there was panic selling across the board and now the biggest dilemma for investors is how and where to invest in this topsy turvey world. One in which down is up and up is down. Where investors seemingly happily invest money knowing full well they will get less back and in which zero interest and even negative interest is the norm. An investment landscape that will be prone to massive volatility and uncertainly as markets pendulum back and forth with each and every new plot twist.I may well be one of very few fund managers that didn’t get a single redemption request, panicked email or even a question about how Brexit would affect FTM. The reason for this is that, in the aftermath of the global financial crisis, I vowed never to be at the mercy of the market again and I set out to devise an investment strategy that could match the market long term averages but not be at the mercy of them. One in which my friends, family and clients, could invest without sleepless nights and avoid these horrific market drops. It seemed really simple. All I had to do was not lose money so that any profits generated weren’t wasted on trying to claw back past losses. Oh, and I wanted it be capital secured too!
Launched in March 2010, we believe FTM has well and truly achieved what it set out to do. In fact, looking at the 3 most uncertain periods over the past 12 months in the markets illustrates exactly what I mean. July 2015 Greek Referendum announced December 2015 FED Rate Hike June 2016 Brexit
+0.71% +0.75% +0.77%
And this lack of volatility and ability to generate a profit in the face of adversity isn’t confined to the three instances above. Since inception in March 2010, FTM Class A has notched up 78 positive months in a row for a total return, net of fees, of 72.84% and an annualized return of 8.75%. All done without any leverage at all. So, if you are interested in finding out more about an investment strategy that is: • • • •
Unaffected by falls in the market Non-correlated to equities Recession Proof Consistent
Contact me directly on endre@ftmmutual.com or visit our website www.ftmmutual.com for a free investment report.
INVESTMENT RISK MANAGEMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR
Global Risk Management Advisors, Inc. Contact: Samuel K. Won, Managing Director/Founder Phone: 212-230-1610 Email: swon@grmainc.com Web: www.grmainc.com Address: 299 Park Ave, 6th Floor New York, New York, 10171 USA
About Us Global Risk Management Advisors, Inc. ("GRMA") is the leading risk management advisory and implementation firm providing asset managers and institutional investors with complete, independent, cost-effective and institutionalquality risk measurement and risk management as a managed service. GRMA has over 60 clients ranging in size from $50 million to $93 billion AUM with total client assets under advisory exceeding $135 billion.
• Risk Management Framework Services (e.g., development and/or enhancement of Investment Policy Statement and Risk Policy Guidelines) • Risk Measurement, Risk Reporting and Independent Risk Monitoring Services • Risk Management Advisory Services (i.e. education and serving as an independent sounding board for the Investment Committee/ Board) Benefits of Working with GRMA
Who We Are
Benefits For Asset Managers:
GRMA has a seasoned team of well-recognized thought leaders and front-line risk professionals with 25+ years of experience each at top global financial and asset management institutions and in the government. GRMA has assembled a team of leading risk management and quantitative analysts, risk programmers and due diligence professionals to enable us to deliver the highest institutional-quality risk management to our clients.
• Attract/Retain Investors: by meeting institutional-quality litmus test for risk management
Differentiator
• Risk-Related Reporting: fully meet all of a fund’s risk and performance attribution reporting requirements both internally and externally (e.g., regulatory/investor reporting) • Legitimate Fund Expense: GRMA’s fees are a legitimate fund expense for many asset managers, particularly alternative asset managers
What distinguishes GRMA from other risk service providers is that GRMA goes beyond just measuring risk: we help clients to better manage risks by fully addressing our clients’ internal and external risk management challenges and needs.
• Actionable Risk Management: GRMA can best help an asset manager to have actionable risk management as part of a manager’s investment process
GRMA’s Services For Asset Managers
• Mitigate Fiduciary Risks: by having sound risk management, processes and governance and independent risk reporting and risk monitoring
For asset managers, GRMA offers clients complete and cost-effective managed services for risk management in three primary areas:
Benefits For Institutional Investors:
• Independent Risk Management “Check”: serve as an independent “check” on investment consultants/asset managers
• Risk Measurement, Risk Reporting and Independent Risk Monitoring Services • Risk Management Advisory Services • Risk-related Regulatory and Investor Reporting Services
• Enhanced Risk-Adjusted Returns: better monitor and manage the portfolio to produce enhanced risk-adjusted returns
GRMA’s Services For Institutional Investors
• Best Practice Standards/Leading Peers: have risk management that fully meets best practice standards and is in line with leading peers
For institutional investors, GRMA provides complete and institutional-quality risk management services in three key areas:
• Actionable Risk Management: enable an institution to take a risk-based approach to: asset allocations, rebalancings and redemptions, etc.
FRANCE DIVERSIFIED FUND OF THE YEAR, OFP OPTIMAL VALUE, OAKS FIELD PARTNERS FUND MANAGER OF THE YEAR (ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE), OAKS FIELD PARTNERS
Oaks Field Partners Amélie Bizeul E m a i l : a . b i z e u l @ o a k s fi e l d p a r t n e r s . c o m h t t p : / / w w w . o a k s fi e l d p a r t n e r s . c o m / Address: 152 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris Telephone: +33 (0)1 850 813 75 / +33 (0)1 850 513 86
Oaks Field Partners is an entrepreneurial asset management and economy research company founded in 2008 by Emeric Challier who has a long track record with absolute returns funds and global macro products. He successfully developed track records and businesses for major asset managers and investment banks. In a nutshell, OFP asset management philosophy is about delivering performance whatever market conditions are. The good performance of OFP funds, adapted to market volatility, show that we are adapting our asset management to market conditions, including crises. Oaks Field Partners’s way to manage funds is an innovative asset allocation process that combines financial modelling (systematic approach, unbiased) with discretionary management (validation of quantitative models signals by fund managers). The economic forecast resulting from the quantitative research enables fund managers to detect investment opportunities on liquid assets. Our objective is to deliver a regular performance with a controlled volatility and de-correlated from markets evolutions. Our approach to investing relies on 3 main features: Research, Diversification and Transparency. Research: We are all quantitative researchers, experts in modelling and data mining. Our ability to study a fast-increasing volume of information is the heart of OFP’s research. OFP has developed a systematic quantitative approach, which enables OFP investment managers to consider the economic outlook and potential opportunities without any bias.
Diversification: We consider capital preservation as important as capital enhancement. We are therefore investing in liquid assets only and implementing the strategies offering the best Risk/Reward ratio. Transparency: OFP is particularly focusing on the understanding of its investment strategies by its clients. We regularly communicate with a large public, publishing every week all important information referring to our research and the management of our funds. Such transparency is one of the three pillars of OFP’s philosophy. Our fund, OFP Optimal Value, voted Best Diversified Fund of the Year – France, delivered a very good performance since inception with a controlled volatility. The investment strategy is based primarily on an analysis of international markets, supported by quantitative financial and econometric analysis methods. Since the fund’s creation, we have demonstrated our ability to generate very good performance on a complex environment with high volatility on financial markets, historical low yields, a global economic slowdown and low inflation around the world. As we continuously look for opportunities and challenges, we are launching our research production under the name of “OFP Economy & Research”. Thus, we will provide it to institutional investors, family offices and private banks, non-financial business and their leaders, as well as any other person interested in financial markets and economy with state-of-the-art research.
VIETNAM EMERGING MARKETS FUND OF THE YEAR, PHOENIX CAPITAL VIETNAM - ASSET MANAGER OF THE YEAR, PHOENIX CAPITAL
Peter Pham Managing Director Phoenix Capital E: peterpham@phx-cap.com W: www.phx-cap.com M: +1 832 898 4620 +84 938 858 898
Founded by a group of investment managers, analysts and traders Phoenix Capital Group was born from the simple idea that so much of what passes for analysis in markets is inaccurate. Initially offering only prestigious investment, market & financial advisory services, we are now an internationally recognized finance enterprise. Being published through a range of media outlets such as CNN Money, MSN Money, Trading Markets, The Motley Fool, Active Trader, Bloomberg, Forbes, The Street, Currency Trader, Canadian Investors Digest and Seeking Alpha, our reach has stretched to more than 2 million people worldwide. What distinguishes Phoenix Capital from other research advisories is that we have a team of vigorously dedicated professionals ‘the investigations unit’; that focus solely on harvesting unique in-depth market insights. We have already collected unusually rare market insights especially about Vietnam for foreign due diligence companies. More recently, with the aim to consolidate into an international
financial media firm we have acquired a young digital marketing agency “Twist Communications” to our company portfolio. Furthermore, we have extensive experience to conduct detailed research and deliver new investable financial products for any market. This is confirmed by looking at one of our most notable achievements: the launch of the VN30 Equal Weight Index. Together with the help of the S&P Dow Jones, using in-depth research and a transparent rules-based method we were able to launch an index that is more diversified, provides greater access for investors and most importantly, properly represents the sectors of Vietnam’s emerging market. Our unique perspective is that we are able to focus on business fundamentals, we have proficiencies to simplify market complexities and most importantly we are flexibility in what we do. With the belief of synergy, experience and adding long-term value Phoenix Capital will continue to focus on providing services to meet market demands and developing investable products that are easily accessible and add real value for investors
AMERICAS INVESTMENT FUND MARKETER OF THE YEAR, PRISTINE ADVISERS
Patricia Baronowski-Schneider President www.pristineadvisers.com Tel: 631-756-2486 Fax: 646-478-9415
Patricia has over 29 years experience working with CEFs/BDCs/MLPs/ETFs/REITs/Corporations in the investor/public/media relations capacity as well as Raising Capital for start-ups and Firms seeking Funding. She has won several industry awards for her achievements in the industry, she has been featured on the cover of World-class CEO Magazine” as well as the cover of “WE Magazine for Women”. Patricia is also a 2015-2016 Inductee to the “National Association of Professional Women – VIP Woman of the Year Circle”. Patricia, along with her team at Pristine Advisers, has successfully helped their clients raise capital, decrease discounts, ward off activist shareholders, increase share price, build relationships with current and potential investors, be featured in top tier financial publications, appear on financial television and radio and helps position clients in a variety of ways to the media.
Patricia and her team also host the CEF/BDC/MLP Investment Strategies Conference in New York in the Fall of each year, which boasts an elite audience of investors, analysts, brokers, media. The event has shown 350+ live attendees and over 800 on the live web/videocast each year consistently. The experts at Pristine Advisers know how to develop a powerful solution and ensure it is heard by all critical audiences. We have extensive contacts in all areas of the financial industry including global media, institutional shareholders, analysts and brokers. We focus on the development and implementation of investor relations campaigns specifically designed to achieve three fundamental goals: * Create superior recognition of your Company or Fund in front of the audience that matters most to your success; * Favorably position companies with key financial audiences, including institutional investors, analysts, and other decision-makers; * Create and execute all-encompassing investor relations initiatives to develop the widest possible recognition and support for the company.
UK R E G U L AT O R Y C O M P L I A N C E C O N S U LT A N C Y O F T H E Y E A R , R O B E R T Q U I N N C O N S U LT I N G LT D G A M E C H A N G E R O F T H E Y E A R , R O B E R T Q U I N N , R O B E R T Q U I N N C O N S U LT I N G LT D
Robert Quinn Consulting Ltd 3rd Floor, 42 Wigmore Street London, W1U 2RY United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)20 7958 9127 www.robertquinn.co.uk Email: lblackmore@robertquinn.co.uk
Robert Quinn Consulting Ltd founded in 2007, is one of the largest independently owned, financial regulatory compliance consultancies, in London. We provide tailored advice to financial services companies on all their FCA, SEC, CFTC/NFA, FINRA ESMA and EU regulatory obligations and needs. At Robert Quinn Consulting we work in partnership with our clients, we understand your business requirements and can offer pragmatic, commercial advice with a strategic outlook that will help you to build and grow your business. Robert Quinn is one of the only compliance consultancies under one roof in London that fundamentally understands both UK and U.S. regulatory obligations. Our team of dynamic senior compliance consultants have significant in-house experience to provide you with practical regulatory advice and excellent customer service. Approach At Robert Quinn Consulting, you can be confident that you are getting pragmatic advice from consultants who have been in your shoes. With over 50 years of experience in the industry, we understand your business and therefore can provide bespoke commercial compliance solutions, tailored to client’s needs. As senior in-house consultants we know what clients want and need and are therefore extremely focused on providing superior client service, with timely delivery and accessibility. As a trusted advisor, we treat our clients as partners. We work with many different types and sizes of financial services companies including: hedge funds, asset managers, corporate finance, private equity/venture capital companies, fund of funds, broker/dealers, and real estate managers.
N O R WAY INVESTMENT FIRM OF THE YEAR, SISSENER GAMECHANGER OF THE YEAR, JAN PETTER SISSENER, SISSENER
SISSENER Kapitalforvaltning
Contact details: SISSENER AS, Haakon VII’s gt.1,0161 Oslo, P.O. 1849 Vika 0123 Oslo, Norway, Phone +47 23 11 52 60 www.sissener.no
Portfolio Manager Sissener Canopus – Jan Petter Sissener
Sissener AS is a Norwegian Financial Authority Regulated investment firm with approximately NOK 1.1bn under management in the UCITS fund SEB Prime Solutions Sissener Canopus. The firm is owned by portfolio manager and CEO Jan Petter Sissener and his family. The team behind Sissener Canopus consists of portfolio managers; Viktor Sandland and Jan Petter Sissener together with a team of analysts dedicated to different sectors within the financial markets. “Jan Petter Sissener has more than 30 years’ experience from the financial markets. Sissener Canopus is an actively managed fund that aims to optimize the combination of high returns and low risk, regardless of the fluctuations in the financial markets. The fund combines long, short and derivative positions in both bond and equity markets in order to achieve this goal. The mandate of Sissener Canopus is tied to securities trading within OECD and benefits greatly of its flexibility. However, despite our broad mandate we are generally overweight securities trading close to our geographic location, as we can exploit our knowledge and
experience within the local markets. Hence, our risk appetite decreases proportionally with the distance to our location. The fund favors securities that fulfills our guidelines of; high quality, high yield, high liquidity and high potential. Nevertheless, the most important aspect of our strategy is never to be bound by strategy. Several employees are invested in Canopus and the single largest investor is Jan Petter Sissener. In that way we ensure that our incentives are closely tied to those of our customers. Canopus has gained 90% net of cost since it was launched April 30th 2012 with a Sharpe Ratio of 1,28, a Sortino ratio of 1,55 and a Standard deviation of 9,84%, measured by the institutional class (per.31.07.2016). In 2014 and 2015 Canopus was awarded the prize ‘Best Performing Long/Short Equity – Global’ in the Hedge Fund Journal’s annual UCITS Hedge Awards. In 2016, Canopus was awarded the prize ‘Long/Short Equity. Best Performer over a 3 Year period’, also by the Hedge Fund Journal.
USA A LT E R N AT I V E A S S E T M A N A G E M E N T F I R M O F T H E Y E A R , S U N R I S E C A P I T A L PA R T N E R S G A M E C H A N G E R O F T H E Y E A R , J A S O N S . G E R L A C H , S U N R I S E C A P I T A L PA R T N E R S
Jose Garcia, CEO Carlisle Management Company 9 rue Sainte Zithe, 1st Floor, Luxembourg L-2763 info@cmclux.com
Sunrise is a pioneering asset management firm that is now in its 37th year of alternative investing. Founded in 1980, Sunrise offers a range of compelling macro and tactical investment programs for individual and institutional investors alike. Applying nearly four decades of investing experience to markets around the globe, Sunrise builds investment solutions designed to provide superior risk-adjusted returns and significant downside protection in times of market crisis. Whether you are looking to invest in equities, bonds, currencies, commodities or diverse combinations of various asset classes, Sunrise has specific offerings available to fit your needs. In addition, Sunrise is highly skilled at developing customized investment solutions and welcomes conversations with prospective investors regarding the specific investment needs they may have. For more information on Sunrise, please visit www.sunrisecapital.com or Sunrise’s Twitter feed at @SunCapPartners. For specific detail on Sunrise’s various offerings, qualified investors may visit Sunrise’s portal on the Financial Diligence Network at www.gofdn.com or may email Sunrise directly at info@sunrisecapital.com or call Sunrise at 1-877-456-8911.
A HEDGE / FUND AWARDS 2016 IN ASSOCIATION WITH: