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Contents 4. Adagia Partners: Best Mid-Market Tech Focused PE Firm 2024 - Europe 6. Zhong Ou Asset Management International Limited: Best Fixed-Income Securities Fund (Since Inception): ZO Neo-Horizons Bond Fund 8. Financial Services Unit (FSU): Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Year 2024 - Caribbean 10. Quantios: Best TCSP Industry Software Company 2024 11. Yealand Fund Services Ltd: Best Fund Administration Services Firm 2024 - UK 12. Palladio GmbH: Best Infrastructure Investment Firm 2024 – Germany 13. Market Risk Management: Most Pioneering Independent Asset Management Research Hub 2024 – Italy & Innovation Excellence Award for Financial Services Algorithms 14. V.M.Z. Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft: Best Classic & Individual Asset Management Company 2024 15. Valeur Group: Fund Structuring Specialists of the Year 2024 16. G.C.I.E. Corp Ltd: Best Corporate Administrative Services Provider 2024 - Mediterranean 17. Norfolk Financial Group: Investment Banking Firm of the Year 2024 - Panama & Best Fund Manager 2024 - Panama 18. Kikin Financial Ltd: Most Client-Focused Sustainable UK Business Investor 2024 & UK Impact Investment Champions of the Year 2024 19. Accru: Wine Investment Company of the Year 2024 - UK 20. Waha Investment: Private Sector Investment House of the Year 2024 – UAE & Best Emerging Market Long/Short Credit Fund (1 Year): EM Credit Fund 21. Moretons Investments: Best Property Investment Firm 2024 - South East England 22. Cango Mobility: Most Pioneering Telematics Solutions Provider 2024 23. Nasdaq Fund Secondaries: Most Pioneering Capital Markets Financial System 2024 24. Check Fund Manager: Best Alternative Investment Due Diligence Solutions Provider 2024 - USA
4 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best Mid-Market Tech-Focused PE Firm 2024 - Europe A mid-market private equity firm that thrives at the forefront of the European private equity investments scene, Adagia Partners serves as a beacon of social and responsible investing in this complex and everevolving space. The firm operates atop a mission to generate long-term value through unlocking the power of transformative growth, something it achieves primarily through the likes of driving operational improvements and executing a series of strategic initiatives across the board. “We seek out businesses with significant growth potential and partner with their management teams to unlock value and accelerate their success”, explains Charlotte. The firm’s investor base is broad and diverse as a result, spanning everything from institutional investors and family offices to high-net-worth-individuals sourced from across the likes of Europe, the US, and the Middle East. This exemplary global network is just one example of the trust and confidence that the firm continues to have placed in it by its array of satisfied investors. The high level of trust like that which has been nurtured by Adagia Partners is of paramount importance when it comes to navigating the dynamic industry landscape that defines modern private equity investing in Europe. The continent has positioned itself effectively as a key player when it comes to future growth and innovation, and Charlotte and the team here recognise the unique opportunities that tech-driven growth in private equity can have when it comes to the likes of sustainability, technological advancements, and strategic transformation. Charlotte explains, “at Adagia Partners, we are committed to investing in companies that are not only resilient but also adaptable to Europe’s changing dynamics. We focus on applying technology and digital transformations pragmatically to foster operational improvements and strategic differentiation.” Much of this has been made possible thanks to the world-class senior advisor partners the firm is supported by, with these including the likes of Yann LeCun and Antonie Blondeau. These partners not only offer exemplary guidance, but they also allow the team here to seamlessly implement cutting-edge technologies into their portfolio. On the back of this award-winning combination, Adagia Partners is able to offer exemplary client service that utilises the innate trust it has fostered, bolstered by an undercurrent of transparency and open communication. From here, staff ensure that their investors are kept in the loop across the firm’s signature rigorous investment process, which sees the highest standards of due diligence upheld throughout. As for the investment teams themselves, they benefit from the support of the firm’s senior advisors and leading industry experts. Financial performance is far from the only area of focus for Adagia Partners, which places equal importance on ESG and responsible investments. “We strive to be responsible investors with a societal duty to both present and future generations”, explains Charlotte. “This includes efforts such as reducing carbon emissions, promoting diversity Sep24109 Leveraging offices in the strategic locations of Paris and Frankfurt, Adagia Partners is a mid-market, panEuropean private equity firm with a distinctive focus on the healthcare, business services, and technology sectors. With more than €1.3 billion in assets under management to its name, this firm’s unbridled focus on investing in mid-cap companies has seen it continue to actively deploy capital from its first fund. We have the pleasure of catching up with Associate Charlotte Fissette to learn more about this award-winning, techfocused private equity expert.
and innovation in recruitment and leadership, and fostering equitable value sharing through employee stock ownership.” A notable extension of this can be found in the comprehensive ESG reports that the company provides, with these spanning KPIs covering such areas as carbon footprint reduction, diversity, and governance. It would be fair to say that this a firm putting ESG at the very heart of its investment strategy, and this can be seen through its status as a signatory of the France Invest Diversity Charter, which has been designed specifically so as to improve diversity and promote gender equality within the industry. “We also participate in the Initiative Climat International (iCI), which aims to tackle climate change by reducing carbon footprints across the companies we invest in”, adds Charlotte. Speaking of the private equity sector in Europe, Charlotte informs us, “The sector is set to remain a key driver of growth and innovation in the coming years. We believe private equity holds a strong opportunity to create value through strategic transformation, sustainability, and technological advancements. At Adagia Partners, we are committed to investing in companies that are not only resilient but also adaptable to these changing dynamics. We focus on applying technology and digital transformations pragmatically to foster operational improvements and strategic differentiation.” More than just reacting to trends of the space, Adagia Partners strives to lead, innovating beyond the market to invest in transformation, growth, and increased efficiency on an unprecedented scale. This also serves as the basis for the firm’s future plans, three primary areas which are all centred on expansion and enhancing value. “We have a clear strategy for growth that will define the next few years”, says Charlotte, and this includes portfolio expansion within the company’s primary markets, namely healthcare, business services, and tech. With a focus on applying digital and AI technologies to its diverse portfolio, Adagia Partners continues to innovate the ever-evolving sector. As the private equity sector and those who rely on it need Best Mid-Market Tech-Focuse PE Firm 2024 - Europe partners to trust, we are reminded just how important technology has become to us over the years. Effectively leveraging technology and digital transformation as a key part of success, Adagia Partners helps its “portfolio companies to integrate advanced tech solutions to improve their competitiveness, optimize operations, and drive topline growth.” Besides partnering with forward-thinking leaders seeking to scale their operations, the firm is equally committed to doubling down on its existing investments, continuously driving the growth and transformation of these portfolio companies. Organic growth is what will be focused on here, with the international expansions of these partners encouraged through a series of buy-and-build strategies, this in addition to implementing leading technology to remain one step ahead of the curve. Finally, Charlotte tells us, Adagia Partners will be turning its attention to its own growth in the coming years. “We plan to establish successor funds to build on the success of our current investments”, she explains, “expanding our capacity to deliver value in the process.” Charlotte continues, “as we grow, we will also focus on expanding our team, bringing in new talent to support our vision and drive further success.” A multinational firm standing as a testament to the power of technology focused private equity and sustainable and responsible investing, Adagia Partners is a mid-market private equity firm taking European private equity investments by storm. Celebrated as the Best Mid-Market TechFocused PE Firm 2024 - Europe, we wish this pioneering firm the best of luck as it continues to change this sphere for the better, ultimately working towards a brighter and more prosperous future for all. Contact: Charlotte Fissette Company: Adagia Partners Web Address: https://www.adagiapartners.com
6 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best Fixed-Income Securities Fund (Since Inception): ZO Neo-Horizons Bond Fund On November 29th, 2019, Zhong Ou Asset Management International Limited was acquired by ZOAM and became its overseas subsidiary. With a focus on bespoke investment solutions for clients seeking sustainable and stable returns, the company is a well-respected member of its industry. For low-risk, low-return portfolios, the firm has a track record of success and sustainable growth, excelling its clients and growing alongside them. In 2007, it launched its first mutual fund, Zofund New Trend (LOF). In 2014, having achieved success over the years, it implemented Employee Stock Ownership Plans, and in 2017, the stakes owned by core employees rose to 51.7%. Since, the company has launched international fixed income and private money market funds, consolidating its position in its respective markets. Under the stewardship of chairman Jianping Liu, the company has seen its most profitable years. He is uniquely suited to the position with 27 years of industry experience and having held various prestigious positions such as Chief Compliance Officer for China International Fund Management Co. Ltd. He also currently serves as the Director of Asset Management Association of China (AMAC) and the head of its human resources and training committee. With a run of award wins for his experienced financial counsel, leadership, and innovation, he has remained a prominent figure in the industry for decades. The company’s journey has brought it from promising beginnings to a prominent asset management firm in Mainland China. Having evolved from Selene Limited to China Wise Asset Management, it now operates under ZOAM, holding type 1, 4, and 9 SFC licences, equipping it to advise on and deal securities and manage assets respectively. With Luxembourg and Hong Kong-based funds, its access to international markets offers clients the opportunity to find a strategy which suits them. In 2023, the company successfully launched its first Hong Kong SFC authorised public OFC fund and further obtained the type 1 (dealing in securities) licence from the SFC. Along with the company’s development, the team has accumulated rich experience in operating public funds, private funds, and managed accounts across different jurisdictions. The company’s investment team focuses on two key services, equity strategies and fixed-income strategies. The former seeks to identify quality Chinese companies which demonstrate growth potential to maintain steady growth. Meanwhile, its fixed-income strategy invests in debt securities issued by governments, government-related entities, and corporations in China in a risk-managed approach. “From the perspective of fixed-income strategies,” says Laura, “there is now a global all-weather strategy, global high-yield strategy, Chinese US dollar bond strategies, and multi-asset strategies.” Scrutinising key Chinese bond markets, the team performs macro analyses to assess variations in factors such as interest rates and market trends and forms its fixed-income strategies accordingly. These strategies are underscored not by relentless shifting but finding an adaptable, stable roster of products which forecast level excess returns over a long period of time, focused on outperformance in fixed investing. Laura sums this up by saying, “as an asset manager in such a volatile market, the rule of survival is to maintain good products with stable performance and sustainable quality.” Throughout these strategies, the team’s focus remains squarely on the client. Every member works collaboratively with their client to ensure that the strategy’s constituent parts all align with their individual goals, financial plans, and ideals. Regardless of a client’s desired risk-toprofit ratio, ZOAM is equipped to form the right portfolio, leveraging a widespread industry network and vast experience. Sincerely listening to and caring for the clients is what we consider the most important part of our client services. Whenever we communicate with a client, it is their requirements that matter the most. From their requirements, we can better match their interests with our strategies. The asset management world is a fast-evolving one, which means taking steps to remain at the cutting edge and provide the most current and relevant offering. As a stability-oriented company, ZOAM’s primary goal to remain there involves diversifying its scope and range of products while continuing to drive long-term performance. However, the firm is currently exploring exciting concepts like tokenisation, new financial instruments, observing emerging investment preference, and more. In its future, the company aims to provide its clients more options and tailor strategies even more closely to the individual investor. Meanwhile, its type 1 licence for dealing in securities represents potential opportunity for growth and expansion of the company’s services. In the company’s words, it aims to be a marketing centre, investment centre, Navigating international investment markets with confidence requires the right partner. Offering awardwinning fixed income strategies and a range of other bespoke services, Zhong Ou Asset Management International serves the Chinese and global market with diligence, advising on successful securities portfolios which yield results to suit the goals of every client. We got the chance to hear from the company through Director Laura Hsieh about its past growth, present work, and exciting future. “ “ ” ”
and cross-border product centre. The company’s leaders intend to expand its international reach and achieve greater penetration of its markets. As Laura states, “in the long term, we will further expand our business scope so that we can bring more varieties and investment options to our clients.” For institutional and individual investors alike, ZOAM is an experienced, well-established asset manager with a rich history and an in-depth understanding of its respective markets. Under the leadership of Chairman Jianping Liu, it has grown steadily and impressively alongside Best Fixed-Income Securities Fund (Since Inception): ZO Neo-Horizons Bond Fund its clients, whom it serves with diligence and impact in line with their personal and organisational goals. Contact: Laura Hsieh Company: Zhong Ou Asset Management International Limited Web Address: www.zofundintl.com Email@ [email protected]
Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Year 2024 - Caribbean The Financial Services Unit (FSU) serves as the sole regulatory authority for financial services in Dominica, which is an island country situated in the Windward Islands group of the Caribbean. As one of the most stringent authorities of its kind in this region, the FSU is responsible for supervising everything from credit unions and insurance companies to offshore banks, forex businesses, and other such financial entities and service providers, and this award is a testament to its lasting success in doing so. Operating under the guidance of Dominica’s wider Ministry of Economic Development, Climate Resilience, and Social Security and comprised of a series of highly experienced and qualified professionals, the FSU covers the country’s entire financial services sector, and both supervises and regulates almost all of the financial institutions active within Dominica’s jurisdiction, with the only exceptions being commercial banks and securities businesses. Created in 2008, the FSU has strengthened supervisions in these sectors considerably over the past 17 years and has continued to grow from strength to strength. At the very heart of the FSU is a committed and competitive approach when it comes to both protecting consumers and further enhancing the integrity of Dominica’s market. Staff here strive to not only put consumers first, but also to thrive at the very top of the financial services sphere. To make sure that this is the case, FSU adheres to a number of core values and guiding principles, with these revolving around the twin pillars of efficiency and effectiveness. Claudius Lestrade, who has been the director here since 2017, joining the company back in 2009 when the FSU was established as an act of parliament, explains, “we maintain a high level of integrity and transparency, operating with honesty as a fundamental principle.” For Director Lestrade one of the distinguishing features of the FSU continues to be the mutual respect that exists between its team members, with the director himself being the one responsible for nurturing the innate value and respect which defines the internal culture of this acclaimed regulatory authority. “We respect and value each other as we foster an internationally competitive and successful financial services industry. We act in the best interests of the clients we serve, and we safeguard the integrity of the financial services sector. ” Since the FSU is responsible for overseeing such a wide range of financial services and activities carried out by the likes of building societies, international banks and money transfer companies, to name just a few, it possesses a strict set of 19 principal functions that it follows to the letter. The first of these spans supervising licensees in accordance with the regulations laid out in the aforementioned 2008 parliamentary act, including the likes of the financial services enactments as well as any and all regulatory codes. Principal function number two is all about monitoring, and sees on- and off-site examinations carried out to ensure the compliance of any regulated persons with all of the necessary prevention and ethical standards acts, as well as any other relevant guidelines. In a similar vein, the third function concerns monitoring those financial institutions operating in or from Dominica, as well as taking the necessary action against those carrying out financial services when they have not been given the proper authorisation to do so. Functions four, five, and six concern administering financial services enactments, maintaining/supervising the offshore registry, and examining the effectiveness of these regulations to see that Dominica more than meets internationally accepted standards. From here, functions seven and eight involve the minister responsible for overseeing this area of the government, especially advising said individual on pressing matters and making recommendations on the revisions necessary to further streamline the sector’s operations. While function nine may be all about encouraging the highest professional standards, principal function ten encapsulates the need for the FSU to form close relations with its contacts in foreign regulatory authorities and other such international associations or groups relating to this field. The 11th and 12th functions then see the team at the FSU turn their attention back inwards, as they focus on providing information and advice to licensees, as well as any other information that is afforded to them as a result of the act. FSU’s 13th function is then closely linked to its 18th, as they both concern taking measures to improve Dominica’s financial services industry, more broadly in the former and then concerning Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing in the latter. Functions 14 and 15 see the importance of liaising with the country’s Financial Intelligent Unit and Central Bank stressed, while the remaining three – 16, 17, and 19 – again involve the aforementioned Minister of Finance and Financial Secretary government minister, covering such areas as compliance, regulation, and code. “We foster an internationally competitive financial services industry and aim to enhance both Dominica’s financial services sector and consumer interests. ” It was 2011 that would see an amendment to the act of parliament that had first established the FSU three years prior, and this would lay the groundwork for the work in Money Laundering prevention and counter-terrorism financing which the FSU would excel in over subsequent years. This was solidified in the chapter concerning the Money Laundering Prevention Act in the 2017 Revised Laws of Dominica, which clearly designates that the FSU is the Money Laundering Supervisory Authority (MLSA) with responsibility in this area. Beyond this, Director Lestrade signs off by telling us, “the FSU is also responsible for securing Suppression of the Financing of terrorism compliance and for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction of all financial services businesses and all designated nonfinancial businesses and professions.” Ultimately, although it is a department within Dominica’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Financial Services Unit has established itself as something much more and is today proud to be one of the premier independent financial services regulators in its subregion. Recognised here as the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Year 2024 -Caribbean, the Financial Services
9 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Unit’s upholding of integrity and constant safeguarding of both Dominica’s financial system and its people make it more than deserving of this acclaim. Contact: Claudius Lestrade Company: Financial Services Unit (FSU) Web Address: https://fsu.gov.dm/
10 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best TCSP Industry Software Company 2024 Quantios is a global leader in SaaS solutions for the trust and corporate services sector. Its platform is a comprehensive front-to-backoffice entity management solution, offering organisations a much-needed means to manage risk and enhance workflows throughout the trust and fund administration industry. The platform encompasses a suite of innovative entity management, client accounting, practice management, compliance, governance, and workflow solutions. Over 600 users currently enjoy its wealth management platform, 24/7 support, and risk management facilities. Owing to its keen interest in digitalisation, Quantios annually surveys firms across private banking, wealth management, family offices, and trust and corporate service providers to assess need for digitalisation solutions across the business landscape. The company’s 2023 survey revealed that 81% of respondents share the belief that their industry needs greater technological innovation. 84% of them believe firms must digitalise their business models to remain competitive which reflects the mission at the heart of Quantios. With its software suite, the company has digitised users’ client servicing, bolstered their compliance, and replaced traditional data management systems with an efficient, cloud-native platform. This has had a highly disruptive effect on the industry; in Chief Marketing Officer Paul White’s words, digitalisation was only accessible to larger, high-budget firms. “This meant that for the thousands of smaller firms, digitalising and automating processes and workflows was out of reach due to the high cost and the requirement for dedicated IT support.” With the advent of Quantios, the opportunity to digitalise workflows was made utterly accessible to all organisations within the sector. “Quantios Core is the first complete end-toend cloud-native SaaS platform that provides fully digital entity management, client accounting, general ledger and practice management. This enables providers to meet their corporate and private wealth clients’ regulatory requirements as well as manage their own business in a simple to use, highly automated way at a significantly reduced total cost of ownership.” The platform is available 24/7 from any device with a browser and internet connection. As cloud-based software, it makes no lofty demands of its adopters, not requiring specialist software components or costly integration with existing workflows. Paul explains that this allows businesses to allocate IT resources to more lucrative projects, such as automation, “rather than ‘keeping-the-lights-on’ management of infrastructure and software updates.” Quantios Core’s benefits to the corporate services and trust administration industry are many: reducing cost of ownership, improving cybersecurity, and future-proofing companies’ technology. With a strong client focus, the Quantios team invests heavily in its professional services team, which is always on hand to deliver each customer’s software package and offer robust post-sale implementation support. “As part of this process,” explains Paul, “different customers have differing needs. For larger global customers, the implementation programme may have multiple phases across multiple jurisdictions. For smaller customers, it’s about helping a business that might be taking its first step along the digitalisation pathway.” Put simply, the team’s job is to bring to life the ambition the customer has in terms of business strategy, helping them to progress along their digitalisation pathway and realise the full value of their Quantios solution. As the company’s services evolve, it seeks to continue disrupting the industry and bring businesses up to speed with a new, innovative trust administration software. Its recent focus is on data quality and data “detached from the core book of records.” With the Quantios platform, data is accurate, timely, and easily accessible. The company’s Digitalisation Pathway helps firms achieve these best practices with the utmost confidence, readying them for the future of scaling up and improving data operations. “By working together,” says Paul, “we believe the trust and corporate services sector will be able to move beyond the current issues and challenges to be able to realise the full benefits to margins, profitability, enterprise value, and client service.” Quantios is revolutionising its sector with automated, scalable trust administration software. Across its client base, it is providing firms large and small the chance to digitise their operations simply, effectively, and reach new heights of profitability. For businesses which were once struggling to meet the demands of today’s digital business landscape, it has provided a groundbreaking go-to solution. Contact: Paul White Company: Quantios Web Address: www.quantios.com Email: [email protected] Telephone: +44 20 7081 3074 Within the trust and corporate services sector, digitisation is lagging behind, exposing companies to process inefficiencies, inaccurate data, and potential security concerns. In 2022, Quantios broke new ground with its flagship product Quantios Core, its cloud-native digital entity management solution. This trust and fund administration SaaS offering is fast earning a reputation within the sector for reliability, scalability, and profit-boosting potential. “ ”
Best Fund Administration Services Firm 2024 - UK Founded in 2008 by a family looking to elevate the expectations of the financial administration sector, Yealand Fund Services Ltd is a trusted expert whose broad array of services has been carefully cultivated to guarantee a seamless experience. Primarily operating alongside the Family Office and private fund market, the firm has spent its tenure cultivating a level of quality that has yet to meet its match – a trait that allows for a level of adaptability that clients simply can’t forego in their respective sectors. Supportive, professional, and passionate, Yealand Fund Services Ltd embodies what it means to be ‘the best’, and we delve into how this excellence has earned it a position in Wealth and Finance International’s Fund Awards 2024. Structuring itself around the notion of close collaboration and mutual respect, Yealand Fund Services Ltd is a family owned, fully independent host Authorised Corporate Director and Fund Administrator who, upon witnessing the plights of potential clients across the market, sought to develop highly adaptable services. Since 2008, the firm has applied this mentality to each of its processes, enabling the development of a full range of expert solutions that are both highly applicable and supportive. Partnered with their robust compliance and risk oversight, Yealand Fund Services Ltd’s services not only embody the company’s commitment to high quality communication – they stand as a testament to the impressive track record the firm has accumulated over the years. In addition to its outstanding Authorised Corporate Director Services, Yealand Fund Services Ltd has earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most dependable and dedicated Fund Administration firms. Leveraging the excellence of its team, the organisation goes the extra mile to demonstrate just how it earned its position in the industry – whether it’s acting decisively, swiftly responding to changes in the market, or applying a stringent approach to even the smallest of details, Yealand Fund Services Ltd guarantees exceptionality from beginning to end. Beyond desirable, these uniquely tailored – yet robust and workable – solutions have become something of an industry enigma, and clients revere the exclusivity that Yealand Fund Services Ltd brings to the table. Yet, none of these successes would have been remotely possible were it not for the commitment of Yealand Fund Services Ltd’s most important asset – its staff. Since onboarding its position in the industry in 2008, the firm has welcomed a strong growth of 25% to its team, but it has always ensured that it remains aligned with its core values. In essence, Yealand Fund Services Ltd prides itself on its supportive culture that, empowered by its people, has allowed it to continuously reach its goals, build upon its already impeccable business model, and develop standard-setting approaches that resonate with its three year business plan. In fact, Yealand Fund Services Ltd is so passionate about the growth of its team, it has encouraged 20% of its staff to undertake professional qualification with the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. In doing so, they’ll be able to elevate the professional growth of new members, becoming mentors who enthusiastically oversee their ongoing excellence. Truly, Yealand Fund Services Ltd embodies what it means to be an independent entity, with opportunities for personal and professional development constantly presenting themselves to anybody under the firm’s umbrella. Partnered with its Colleague Appreciation Scheme, Yealand Fund Services Ltd has proven that it’s indeed a personable entity that values the input of every individual. Recognising this, Wealth and Finance International is pleased to present Yealand Fund Services Ltd with a place in the Fund Awards 2024. Incredible in every aspect, this award-winning firm showcases what it means to pursue greatness on behalf of both its clients and its own team, enabling its evolution into something truly striking. We look forward to seeing how this further manifests as Yealand Fund Services Ltd progresses into its bright future. Contact: Rob Leedham Company: Yealand Fund Services Ltd Web Address: https://yealand.com
12 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best Infrastructure Investment Firm 2024 – Germany Palladio Partners is a specialist in real asset investment. This owner-managed boutique investment firm has achieved consistent success since its inception in 2012, having grown its highly qualified team, now overseeing assets of roughly 10 billion euros under management. When Germany’s institutional investors take an interest in international real asset investing, the team is positioned to fulfil their investment aspirations also on a global scale. With many combined years of experience across various market cycles, Palladio Partners leverages its knowledge to generate innovative and individual investment ideas. The team takes a collaborative approach, consulting clients to turn these ideas into a workable strategy with roots in sustainable investing. A keen insight into appropriate regulatory environments and the investment markets enables clients a smooth, risk-managed investment process. With ready access to a variety of real assets, the firm proves a versatile partner poised to think outside the box and make choices unique to each client. “With our long-term thinking and collaborative approach, we remain independent, flexible, and fast in a constantly changing market environment and thus can offer excellent services for our institutional clients. ” The service at Palladio Partners does not solely offer versatility; it marries this exciting, fresh approach with stability. With a successful performance history, especially within infrastructure, private equity, and private debt, it demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of both German and worldwide markets. This translates to consistently strong performance and returns, maintaining a clear and focused business model. Palladio Partners has earnt a reputation among not just industry peers but also clients, offering transparent service underscored by transferring knowledge and involving them in the process at every turn. The focus is on knowing each client and proactively communicating to keep them up to date with their portfolio and changes in the market. Wherever the client can and would like to be involved, Palladio Partners is happy to help, aiming to act as a close strategic partner throughout their entire investment journey. The team always seeks to make the most tailored, personal choice to suit clients’ goals, and this means working closely with them to ensure that their wishes and interests are always considered. “To ensure clients get the best service, we implement a dedicated client service model with relationships managers directly out of our investment team, who deeply understand each client’s goals. This allows for more personalised and proactive service. ” As a member of various industry associations, such as LTIIA, DI4, IDI and BAI, the firm seeks to remain at the forefront of the industry, both keeping abreast of cutting-edge developments and shaping its future. By constantly adapting to clients’ feedback and evolving needs, market shifts, and regulatory changes, Palladio Partners stays ahead of the game. Managing Partner Michael Rieder explains, “we aim at continuously building out our market position in the area of real assets. Due to our specialisation, we can also focus on certain areas within the asset classes such as German infrastructure, subsectors such as data centres and high-voltage grids, or midmarket private equity.” As a prominent real asset investment firm, Palladio Partners sets the standard for creative strategies, client-focus, and market insight. It enables institutional investors to extend their reach, engage with global markets, and find their tailored strategy. The team encourages clients to consult with its highly specialised team. Thanks to its expertise, personalised service, and relationship building, Palladio Partners has more than earnt its place as this year’s Best Infrastructure Investment Firm. Contact: Dr. Bernd Kreuter Company: Palladio GmbH Web Address: www.palladio-partners.com Email: [email protected] Telephone: +49 69 175 372 67 0 The investment world is saturated with firms performing the same work in the same way, delivering run of the mill strategies without thinking outside the box. Frankfurt based Palladio Partners is the individualistic institutional investor’s solution. The team focuses on each client’s goals to craft the ideal strategy, leveraging its vast expertise and global reach to provide a diverse, impactful real asset portfolio.
13 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Most Pioneering Independent Asset Management Research Hub 2024 – Italy & Innovation Excellence Award for Financial Services Algorithms Market Risk Management The sentiment of ‘there’s a right time and a right place for everything’ is one that deeply resonates with a great number of companies across the globe. However, no industry aligns itself with the notion more than the asset management market. Depending on how the landscape may shift, entities could find themselves struggling to manage risks while simultaneously pursuing growth and development. In such instances, turning to another for assistance is almost mandatory, and it is in this vein that Market Risk Management is glad to lend a helping hand. Comprised of professionals equipped with decades of collective experience, this award-winning research hub has become a key player in the market, and we explore how below. Proudly operating as an independent investment research hub whose highly qualified pool of professionals offers invaluable services to the wider market, Market Risk Management is an exemplary entity whose impact spans the vast world of asset management. Versed in the realms of operational financial analysis and consultancy, in addition to institutional and private investors, the organisation offers a dedicated avenue to traders, investors, and experts in the sector who are hoping to remain fluid in such a dynamic landscape. Leveraging the application of statistics, quantitative models, and mass psychology, its experts go above and beyond to provide advisory, research, and model construction activities that are specifically designed to present information in a clear and detailed manner. This comes as a direct result of the company’s collective experience in global financial markets and quantitative model programming. Reaching nearly 100 years, this specific operational experience has empowered Market Risk Management to embark on a journey to completely alleviate the strain placed on private investors, traders, institutional investors, financial advisors, and bank treasuries alike. Whether it’s working with external or proprietary databases – namely Excel and Python – or onboarding the benefits of artificial intelligence, the group is highly committed to utilising every asset available in order to guarantee results. And yet, where some may approach risk management through the model of market timing, Market Risk Management adopts an entirely different method. Taking the form of its distinct signal study framework, Market Risk Management’s approach sees it gathering the information provided by various market signals, and translating this information into tangible strategies. Often times, this allows the company’s experts to advise clients on when to increase or decrease their exposure, depending on the predicted relationship between risk and reward. As such, Market Risk Management has become an entity renowned for its ‘right place, right time’ approach – one that leverages only the very best tools available to analyse numbers and statistics, all for the end goal of providing invaluable knowledge and financial market awareness. In essence, Market Risk Management is determined to reshape how investors tackle the decision-making process, granting them tools that have been formulated through the careful examination of data, and the exploration of recurrences, asymmetries, and anomalies. By considering each of these factors, the organisation can confidently provide easy-touse operational models that promise to be advantageous in every aspect. Somehow, Market Risk Management has attained the perfect balance between following industry developments and maintaining a clear vision, resulting in a sustainable level of success that’s bound to benefit clients for years to come. Having developed such a strong affinity for offering the financial market exactly what it needs, Market Risk Management has certainly earned itself a position as the best of its craft. Dedicated, driven, and determined to demonstrate its expertise where possible, it’s evolved into an entity worthy of respect, and it’s for this very reason that it has garnered the attention of Wealth and Finance International. As Market Risk Management continues to adapt to technological advancements and market fluctuations, we’ll be keeping a keen eye on its progress. We look forward to seeing what the future holds. Contact: Francesco Caruso Company: Market Risk Management Web Address: https://www.marketrisk.it Mr. Caruso, Founder & CEO
14 | Wealth & Finance Fund Awards 2024 Best Classic & Individual Asset Management Company 2024 V.M.Z. Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft is a bank-independent asset manager renowned across the country for its ability to craft personal investment strategies that more than live up to the high industry standards that its clients have come to expect. The company offers a stellar range of classic and individual strategies, and the excellence of both of these areas is reflected in the prestigious award title that V.M.Z. has had bestowed upon it. Across all of these robust asset management strategies, the company leverages its signature V.M.Z. investment process, which forms the very foundation of every decision it makes. This unique process has proven its worth for decades, and sees the company interweave its multidimensional core competencies within its detailed research, before applying them to asset allocations through a series of proven tactical, strategic, and operational measures. Intelligent portfolio management is another cornerstone of this operation, and as Dr Zschaber himself explains, “only through intelligent portfolio management is it possible to take advantage of the general sentiment of the stock markets, which fluctuate back and forth between exaggerated optimism and unjustified pessimism.” He adds, “countercyclical thinking is the motto for sustainable success in the capital markets, and the investment strategies of our company embody these ideals within the investment approach.” This is something that can be seen clearly across V.M.Z.’s fundamental analysis, a process whereby the team evaluate companies through a suite of comprehensive valuation measures that make two separate assessments about them, one concerning their past and the other their future. An example of risk management at its finest, he and his team recognise the paramount importance of risk management when it comes to driving the sustainable success of a client’s portfolio. “Decisive for sustainable success are the independence of risk management and active portfolio management”, says Dr Zschaber. “We are absolutely convinced that risk management sustainably improves performance, and the goal is to minimise those risks in the portfolio that we don’t want to take.” This is why the company’s risk management specialists utilise a number of statistical and algorithmic techniques developed in-house, combining these with risk models to both manage factors and carry out encompassing industry analyses. Such wide-ranging excellence is not only demonstrated by the risk management team, and V.M.Z. is incredibly proud of the strengths of the workforce it has developed across the board. Comprised of highly qualified individuals, all of whom enjoy working, managing, and carrying out analysis, everyone, from management through to the operational team, subscribes to an ethos of hard work, sound in the knowledge that luck cannot be relied upon when it comes to investing. Far from the only thing that this company has come to realise over the past three decades, its long-standing success can also largely be attributed to its ability to seamlessly traverse the trends of the industry, including the likes of digitalisation and AI, which are gripping this sector at present. On the back of this, Dr Zschaber tells us, “with our processes, we have been able to achieve excellent performance for our customers for 30 years.” A refusal to follow the crowd has too proven pivotal in the company’s triumphs, and he refers to the timeless saying, “never follow the crowd, otherwise you will get what the crowd gets”, as being a defining ethos that has continued to serve V.M.Z. well. The same is also true concerning the future of this space, which will see more challenges arise on the back of the dynamic landscapes of the stock market, the economy, and general politics. Dr Zschaber and his team are more than up to the challenge however, and even though the world has changed an awful lot since the company first set out on this venture 30 years ago, this is a company that champions the timeless values of hard work and dedication, and one that is continuing to solidify its position as an industry frontrunner in the process. Contact: Dr Zschaber Company: V.M.Z. Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft Web Address: https://zschaber.de Sitting atop a 30-year legacy in the field of asset management, V.M.Z. Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft was founded by Dr Markus C. Zschaber, who also serves as its managing director. Celebrated as one of Germany’s most experienced and renowned asset managers, Dr Zschaber has received more than 25 industry awards over the course of his career and is perhaps best known for featuring as a stock market expert on TV news channel n-tv, where he gave interviews for more than two decades. We catch up with Dr Zschaber to find out more about his asset management business.
Fund Structuring Specialists of the Year 2024 Established in 2010, Valeur specialises in asset management, trading, research, and advisory services for institutional and private clients. The independent financial group operates in the UK, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, and Ireland, managing and advising assets for various institutional clientele. Following the group’s recent recognition in the Fund Awards 2024, we speak with Lorenzo Vangelisti, CEO Valeur Group, and Aleksandra Milan Cortegiano, Director Valeur Group. Serving a diverse array of clientele that includes banking foundations, pension funds, public entities, and private clients, Valeur provides a specialised service driven by extensive industry experience. The comprehensive service spans all asset classes, including fixed income, equity, liquid, and alternative assets across 17 investment funds. Valeur shines in the structuring and management of customised funds, and its offerings include an array of investment vehicles such as UCITS, SIF, and RAIF funds in Luxembourg. The group additionally offers a securitisation vehicle in Ireland, VAMS DAC, which allows clients to create and issue bankable Actively Managed Securities across all asset classes. In order to address highly specialised investment needs, such as private equity and real estate, Valeur has also established BELL SA, a securitisation vehicle domiciled in Luxembourg. Recognising that the financial industry is a dynamic landscape shaped by evolving global economic factors, Valeur understands the importance of standing out in the market. The company’s key differentiator lies within its tailor-made approach, in which it designs personalised solutions to cater to the needs of each client. “We specialise in creating dedicated investment vehicles that are customised to align with the client’s unique objectives,” says Aleksandra. “With the support of a committed team, we guide investors through each step of the setup process, ensuring the chosen structure perfectly matches their investment goals, regulatory requirements, and operational preferences. Not only do we take care of the setup process, but we offer an exceptional coordination service as well, managing the day-to-day operations of the fund, covering both ordinary and extra ordinary activities.” As part of this offering, Valeur is also involved in the management of assets for both institutional and private clients. In providing both Top Down and Bottom Up approaches, Valeur offers bespoke investment strategies that are perfectly aligned with the investor’s financial goals, risk tolerance, and return expectations. By emphasising the power of customisation, whether through unique vehicles or tailored strategies, Valeur delivers smart, client-centric solutions that foster long-term success in an ever-evolving financial environment. “We prioritise a strong client focus, ensuring tailored solutions that foster long-term relationships and deliver personalised, value-driven results while adhering to high regulatory standards,” Aleksandra tells us. “Integrity, professionalism, and discretion guide every interaction, with Valeur complying to the highest regulatory standards set by local authorities, including the FCA in the UK, FINMA in Switzerland, CSSF in Luxembourg, and the Autorité des Marché Financiers in France.” The company is proud of its independence, which allows it to operate with full autonomy and maintain the flexible, client-focused approach for which it is renowned. Above all else, Valeur prioritises its exceptional client service through crafting personalised and value-driven strategies. The cornerstone of this approach is understanding the nuances of the clients’ needs, their financial goals, risk appetite, and long-term aspirations to provide bespoke solutions. In order to remain at the cutting-edge of innovation, Valeur continuously refines its investment strategies and anticipates emerging global trends to better serve its clientele. Placing a strong emphasis on understanding the nature of the evolving landscape, from shifting market dynamics to emerging investment themes, Valeur ensures that its strategies remain aligned with the latest opportunities and risks. Looking ahead, Lorenzo tells us that Valeur has plans for further expansion. This follows a remarkably successful year for the company, who has been named the Fund Structuring Specialists of the Year 2024. “The year 2024 has been exceptionally productive and dynamic for our group, reflecting a substantial expansion of our operations,” Lorenzo says. “We are pleased to have achieved a significant milestone of €3 billion in assets under management and advisory. In addition to this, we are proud to announce the launch of new investment funds and the acquisition of three companies, expanding our trading and distributing footprint in Switzerland.” Contact: Aleksandra Milan Cortegiano Company: Valeur Group Web Address: https://www.valeur-group.com/
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