Former UBS Global Asset Management Executive Launches Global Opportunity Fund
Singer Partners Forms Under the Leadership of a Seasoned Investment Management Team
DARIEN, CT -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Jul 01, 2009 --
Brian Singer, who previously managed a $200
billion Global Asset Management multi-asset practice at UBS, today
announced the launch of Singer Partners, LLC, a new investment management
firm. At the firm, Singer will lead a team of experienced, highly
respected industry thought leaders. Singer is the current chair of the CFA
Institute Board of Governors, serves on the Exeter College at Oxford
University Endowment Investment Committee and is Chairman of the Milton
Friedman-inspired organization "Free to Choose." The formation of Singer
Partners is Mr. Singer's reemergence into the financial services industry
after leaving UBS in 2007.
Singer Partners believes that we are at a point in time where institutions
and individual investors are looking for investments that are transparent,
liquid and consistent, and for asset managers whose interests are
appropriately aligned with their own. That is the motivation for forming
Singer Partners, LLC with an investment team that has worked together for a
decade to provide a fundamental, long-horizon approach to global asset
allocation and risk management.
Singer Partners' strategy, known as Global Opportunity, is built upon the
fundamental heritage of global asset allocation and risk management begun
at Brinson Partners, Inc., and time-tested over 27 years. The strategy
relieves investors of the burden of having to choose between market risk
and active risk. Singer Partners will dynamically navigate between the
two, employing a process where total portfolio risk is managed in
accordance with the investment return opportunities the firm identifies.
"Our goal with this firm is to ensure that all risk is understood, intended
and compensated," said Mr. Singer. "We have assembled a team with integrity
and skill, and these factors will contribute to an exceptional investment
firm. The strategy is fit to endure bull and bear markets by strictly
adhering to a time-tested fundamental investment discipline that seeks to
deliver superior risk-adjusted results over time."
The leadership at Singer Partners will be rounded out as follows:
-- Edwin Denson and Thomas Clarke will lead the investment team. Edwin is
former Head of Asset Allocation and Managing Director of UBS Global Asset
Management. Thomas is former Head of Currency Analysis & Strategy and
Managing Director of UBS Global Asset Management.
-- Edouard Senechal will be risk manager and Renato Staub will serve as a
consultant to the firm on risk management. Edouard is former Senior Risk
Manager and Executive Director of UBS Global Asset Management. Renato Staub
is former Senior Asset Allocation and Risk Analyst and Executive Director
of UBS Global Asset Management.
-- Sebastian Cassetta will be Chief Operating Officer. Sam is former
Senior Managing Director and COO of Barington Capital Group, L.P. and
former Vice President and Director of Brinks, Inc.
-- Michael Jacobs will be Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel.
Mike is a former partner and general counsel for Adams Street Partners.
With its formation, the firm announced the launch of an offshore and a
domestic fund for its Global Opportunity capability. Singer Partners will
begin investment operations in August and will manage assets for public and
private institutions and high-net-worth individuals around the world. The
firm will operate with offices in Darien, Connecticut; Winnetka, Illinois;
and London.
Brian Singer has been a longtime devotee of the investment strategies of
Gary Brinson, formerly of Brinson Partners. Brinson, Singer and Gilbert
Beebower co-authored the landmark update to the pioneering study on asset
allocation, "Determinants of Portfolio Performance II: An Update."
Denis Karnosky, former Head of Asset Allocation at Brinson Partners,
stated, "If I were starting an asset management firm today, I would be
using the exact strategy that Singer Partners will be implementing for its
investors." Karnosky continued, "Brian has a solid track record and an
excellent understanding of how markets perform over time, which sets the
right tone for this investment strategy right now."
In addition, as part of Singer Partners' support for high integrity in the
industry, the firm will become a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and
adopt the CFA Institute Asset Manager Code of Professional Conduct, the
highest professional integrity and ethical standards in the industry and
the only industry code with required adherence to each of the ethical and
professional principles set forth. The firm believes that ethical asset
management -- including a strong compliance process, leadership by example
from firm management, and competence throughout the organization -- has
never been more important. The CFA code is designed for asset managers who
aspire to the highest level of integrity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.singerllc.com
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities
in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
Contact:
Meghan Sherman
212-784-5715
Meghan@GroupGordon.com