Guest Contributors

Eric ZollerAmid a robust market environment for private equity, spinouts from existing firms are becoming increasingly common. In this contributed article, Eric Zoller, co-founder of private equity services specialist Sixpoint Partners, identifies key factors behind the proliferation of private equity firms, gives recommendations on how spinouts can best be accomplished, and explains the “magic number” every GP should know. 

Rob AllardDrawn by attractive risk-adjusted returns relative to most traded credit vehicles, institutional investor interest in the private debt space has surged over the past year, bringing with it a shift in the traditional attitude about alternative lenders.

In this contributed article, Rob Allard, founding partner of Firebreak Capital, explains why private debt has become the fastest-growing segment of non-bank finance.

Tony Heaver-WrenIn this contributed article, Tony Heaver-Wren and Caroline Barton of law firm Appleby take a close look at applying a subscription finance model to a Cayman Islands exempted limited company, how it differs from the orthodox model of an exempted limited partnership, and the considerations and risks that apply when a lender, rather than LPs. takes security over the capital contribution obligations of shareholders.

Mark HeddermanInvestors have been at the forefront of the evolution in hedge fund administration, demanding greater transparency, diligence, data and regulatory expertise. However, at the same time, funds continue to push for lower fees. Custom House Fund Services CEO Mark Hedderman explains the changes underway in this industry and how the discerning fund manager can partner with an administrator to make the investment process more secure – and thus more attractive – for investors.

Andre Boreas Following a difficult third quarter, fund managers across the industry are fielding difficult questions from investors. Andre Boreas, CEO of marketing and communications firm Quadsight Partners, has put together a quick primer on the do’s and dont’s when performance is not going quite as planned. Boreas's insights are well informed, as he spent over twenty years as an institutional investor, portfolio manager, marketer and product manager before founding Quadsight.

Bruce FrumermanIn this contributed article, Bruce Frumerman of Frumerman & Nemeth Inc. explains that independent, fee-only financial planning/investment advisory wealth management firms that serve high net worth investors are often overlooked as opportunities for hedge funds, despite the fact that they can translate a single sale into tens or even hundreds as these "managers of managers" invest their clients in the alternative strategies and managers they’ve selected.

David KatzOne year ago this month, Larch Lane and Rothschild Asset Management formed the Rothschild Larch Lane Alternatives fund, a liquid alternative aimed at generating consistent risk-adjusted returns. With twelve months in the liquid alt trenches, Larch Lane president and COO David Katz explains three lessons from their inaugural year – and how they might be valuable for other investors. 

Reinsurance is one of the few hedge fund strategies that has almost no correlation to the stock or bond markets, and a number of well-known hedge funds have created reinsurance structures for their strategies. But what is reinsurance, and how can investment managers utilize its benefits? In this contributed article, Agecroft Partners' Don Streinbrugge examines these questions and more.

Keith DiamondFATCA is now a way of life for those in the financial industry and most professionals are familiar with its requirements. However, as Keith Diamond of Kaufman Rossin Fund Services explains, the first year of FATCA compliance has highlighted eight common pitfalls hedge funds and investment managers should avoid.

Don SteinbruggeAssets will continue to flow into the hedge fund industry despite long-standing concerns about fees, performance and scandals, according to an article penned by Agecroft Partners' Don Steinbrugge.