Unigestion adds global opportunities long /short strategy with the hiring of an investment team from the London-based hedge fund group Cube Capital

As part of the deal, Unigestion has acquired the fund managed by the team. The investment team joining Unigestion employs a long/short strategy which identifies equity and credit opportunities linked to market dislocations, where assets may be mispriced because of market conditions.

The investment strategy of the fund will remain unchanged under the continued management of the team, which has achieved, as at the end of December 2015, an annualised return of 13.1% with annualised volatility of 8.5% since inception in May 2009. The team joining Unigestion to run the strategy is made up of Nick Linnane, Investment Manager, Chrysis Aristidou, Investment Analyst and Faten Benali, Portfolio Administrator.

This strategy complements Unigestion’s alternatives offering by adding an opportunistic direct hedge fund strategy with an outstanding track record to its existing alternative risk premia, alternative alpha amplifiers and hedge fund manager selection strategies.

The new team will be able to access and benefit from the wider intellectual capital of Unigestion’s 77 investment professionals, with compliance, legal and risk management support provided by a dedicated team of 12 based in the UK and the other global locations of the Unigestion Group.

As part of the transaction, Unigestion will also replace Cube Capital as Sub-Advisor of William Blair & Company, LLC, in relation to an additional fund registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, and will ensure continued implementation of a strategy similar to the fund.

Fiona Frick, Chief Executive Officer of Unigestion commented: “The new team is a great addition for Unigestion. We are convinced that the exceptional attributes of the strategy and the investment team’s expertise combined with Unigestion’s risk management culture will make a powerful combination. Unigestion is committed to continuing, and building on what Cube Capital has achieved over the last six years and we are delighted to have this opportunity to add such talent to our team.”

Alan Sipols and François Buclez, founders of Cube Capital Investment Limited commented: “We are proud to see the recognition of the work we have put into the fund over the past six years, and are convinced that the investors and the great team will be well taken care of thanks to Unigestion’s outstanding business culture. We remain committed to supporting its development and are looking forward to seeing its continued success.”

Nick Linnane, Investment Manager of the fund, joining Unigestion from Cube Capital Investment Limited, added: “Unigestion has a fantastic offering and business model, with great leadership, investment approach, infrastructure and research capabilities and it feels like the ideal place for us to continue running our strategy. We are excited to be joining the company, and look forward to a very successful collaboration.”