8th July 2024
Randel Freeman joins GAM to co-lead buildout of GAM Alternatives capability to meet increasing investor demand
GAM are delighted to announce that Randel (Randy) Freeman will join the firm on the 8th July 2024 to work closely with Albert Saporta to build out GAM's alternative investment capabilities as Co-Head / Co-CIO of our new specialist alternative investments unit: GAM Alternatives (GAMAlts).
Randy has over 30 years of experience in the global hedge fund investment management industry, having managed a range of alternative investment funds and managed accounts during his career. From 2017 to 2023, Randy was a member of the Investment Committee of SSVL Monaco, a Monaco based activist fund focused on small and mid-cap European companies. 2014 to 2016, Randy was the CIO of the Fortress Centaurus Global Fund. In 2000, Randy co-founded Centaurus Capital, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund group with AUM at its peak of USD 5bn, where he served as CEO and CIO until 2014 when the business was sold to the Fortress Investment Group. Prior to this, he was co-head of the Risk Arbitrage division at Banque Paribas in London and an Associate at Goldman Sachs in New York. Randy is a CFA Charter holder and has an MBA from the University of Chicago, CFA UK Level 4 Certificate in ESG investing, a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and a Certificate in Advanced Responsible Investment Analysis from PRI Academy. Randy holds American/British/Swiss nationalities.
As Co-Heads, Albert Saporta and Randy Freeman will draw on GAM's Alternatives heritage and pedigree. As a complement to GAM's existing strong investment capabilities across Equities, Fixed Income and Multi-Asset strategies, we are building out GAM Alternatives, a new alternative investments platform, presenting a strategic opportunity to meet growing investor demand, differentiate our offerings, and leverage our active management strengths and expertise. By addressing the following key considerations, we can expand our product suite, attract new investors, and position our firm for sustained growth in a dynamic market:
- Growing Demand: Investor interest in alternative investments is surging, with retail investors now seeking access to alternative investments. Preqin forecasts the global alternative assets market to grow to USD 24.5 trillion by 2028;
- Product Access: Leveraging GAM's brand and expertise in active management, our partnership approach, and robust operating model, we can overcome high industry barriers and provide clients with access to niche alternative strategies; and
- Retail Opportunities: Private investors are under-weight in alternatives due to limited access, as this asset class has been typically available mainly/primarily to institutional investors. By creating evergreen, semi-liquid structures, and evolving fund regimes, we can significantly grow this retail segment.
Elmar Zumbuehl, CEO of GAM, commented,"GAM has a 40-year history of providing clients with access to innovative alternative asset classes for wealth and institutional investors. As demand for active portfolio diversification and alpha generation grows, we are excited that Randy Freeman joins us as Co-head of our Alternative Investments capabilities, reigniting our founding DNA in alternative investing and complementing our already strong set of High Conviction Equity, Specialist Fixed Income and Multi-Asset Investment solutions."
For further information please contact:
| Media Relations Colin Bennett (Colin.Bennett@gam.com) T+44 (0) 207 3935 844 |
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About GAM
GAM is an independent investment manager that is listed in Switzerland. We are an active, independent global asset manager that delivers distinctive and differentiated investment solutions for our clients across our Investment and Wealth Management Businesses. Our purpose is to protect and enhance our clients’ financial future. We attract and empower the brightest minds to provide investment leadership, innovation and a positive impact on society and the environment. Total assets under management were CHF 63.8 billion as of 31 December 2023, with Investment Management at CHF 19.3 billion and Fund Management Services at CHF 44.7 billion. As of 31 January 2024, Fund Management Services were successfully transferred to the Carne Group. GAM has global distribution with offices in 14 countries and is geographically diverse with clients in almost every continent. Headquartered in Zurich, GAM Investments was founded in 1983 and its registered office is at Hardstrasse 201 Zurich, 8037 Switzerland.
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