Partners

MAIN PARTNERS

Altius Associates

Altius Associates is a fund-of-funds and segregated account manager, specialising in real Assets, infrastructure, and private equity. Since its founding in 1998, Altius has been focused on developing strong performing portfolios and providing the highest level of service for clients. Altius’ client base consists of sophisticated institutional investors, including the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the Pension Protection Fund in the UK, and pension funds and family offices in Europe (including Germany) the US and Australia. Altius has a team of 33 professionals who have been active in alternative assets investing since the mid-1980s. Altius has expertise helping investors both start and expand their global portfolios, through fund-of-funds programs or customised separate account mandates. Working with its clients and investors, Altius assists in the development of internal processes and procedures, and continually promotes knowledge transfer. 

Ayaltis

Ayaltis  is a specialised fund of hedge funds advisor with a focus on hedge fund opportunities in relative value fixed income, credit and global macro strategies. The company was founded in the midst of the financial crisis in October 2008 by very experienced hedge fund professionals with an excellent track record. Ayaltis is independent and owned by the management, employees and strategic partners (family offices). Ayaltis is the advisor to its flagship fund Areca Value Discovery, where the investor base is mainly family offices, wealthy individuals and institutional investors. In this way, we seek to ensure the closest possible alignment of clients’ and firm interests, supported by robust risk management and operational infrastructure. Ayaltis is a member of the Alternative Asset Management Association (AIMA). 

Craigmore Sustainables LLP

Craigmore Sustainables is a specialist manager of farmland and forestry assets. The group was established in 2009 by Forbes Elworthy. At end 2011 Craigmore manages NZ$70 mm (US$ 60 mm) of investor capital invested in 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of land. The Elworthy family is a significant investor in both the farmland and forestry funds and has been farming in New Zealand for 150 years, (Forbes’ father Sir Peter Elworthy was President of NZ’s Federated Farmers and Chair of the Independent Directors of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand).

All Craigmore investments are in New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand is the “Saudi Arabia of milk protein” – exporting over 35% of international trade in dairy commodities. The group maintains an (FSA regulated) UK fund management office in Mayfair, London.

After many years of being over-supplied and therefore depressed, agricultural markets are now in tight supply. Falling rates of yield increase plus increasing consumption of protein in Asia (protein requires approximately 10 times more land-area per calorie of food than carbohydrates) mean the future of the farming industry is bright. Prices of food and fibre commodities are expected to increase: this increase will be capitalised into the value of land investments.

Craigmore is a signatory of the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing and a member of the UN PRI Farmland Policy Working Group.
 

SUPPORTING PARTNER

World Gold Council

The World Gold Council is the market development organisation for the gold industry. Working within the investment, jewellery and technology sectors, as well as engaging in government affairs, our purpose is to provide industry leadership, whilst stimulating and sustaining demand for gold.

We provide insights into the international gold markets, helping people to better understand the wealth preservation qualities of gold and its role in meeting the social and environmental needs of society.

The investment team develop insights into the gold investment market globally and examine gold in the context of investment portfolios. We work with institutional investors, pension funds, wealth managers, financial intermediaries and family/multi-family offices to present the case for gold as a foundation asset in portfolios, a portfolio diversifier and as a discrete financial and monetary asset class.

Based in the UK, with operations in India, the Far East, Europe and the USA, the World Gold Councilis an association whose members include the world’s leading and most forward thinking gold mining companies. 

BREAKFAST PARTNER

National Bank of Canada Financial Markets  

Strong of 150 years of history, National Bank of Canada (NBC) is an integrated provider of financial services to retail, commercial, corporate and institutional clients. It operates in three business segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management and Financial Markets with total assets in excess of $156 billion as at October 31, 2011.

Driven by its 19,000 employees, National Bank offers a complete range of services: banking and investment solutions, securities brokerage, insurance, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, and mutual fund and pension fund management for over 2.4 million clients.

National Bank of Canada is the leading bank in Quebec. It is also the sixth largest bank in Canada with branches in almost every province. Clients in the United States, Europe and other parts of the world are served through a network of representative offices, subsidiaries and partnerships.

Its head office is located in Montreal and its securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NA).

Bloomberg Magazine recently ranked National Bank of Canada as the strongest bank in North America and #3 globally for financial stability.
This news, combined to Canada’s AAA rating and NBC’s important Derivatives capabilities, has generated significant interest from European Banks, Asset Managers, Family Offices for our overall capabilities.