In this special episode, Sabrina sits down with Lucy Surman, Associate Director at AYU, to discuss trends among emerging hedge fund managers, the evolving role of family offices, and key challenges in today’s fundraising environment, including the industry’s pain point of fake family offices and how managers can navigate it.

Timestamps:

01:14 – Introduction to Lucy Surman and the story behind AYU

05:06 – Common traits among early-stage hedge fund founders today

08:55 – The growing issue of fake family offices and why it matters

15:12 – Lucy’s long-term goals and perspective on career growth

16:45 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

This time, Sabrina speaks with Manoj Soni, CIO and Co-Founder of Capricorn Private Investments, about his 20+ year investment career spanning multiple market cycles and structural shifts across the finance industry. From starting his career at Merrill Lynch, senior roles at Partners Capital and now his own OCIO business, Manoj explains how OCIO models vary by client size and objectives, how portfolio construction adds value to achieve long-term success, and what role hedge funds play as part of the investments. The conversation also explores why investing is ultimately a people business, how alpha evolves over time, and why staying curious is essential in what Manoj describes as a truly Darwinian investment environment.

Timestamps:

01:14 – Manoj’s 25-year investment journey across market cycles

02:12 – What is OCIO? How does the model work and who does it serve best?

05:36 – Portfolio construction as the foundation of long-term success

10:22 – The role hedge funds play within a portfolio

13:01 – Why investing in hedge funds is ultimately about people, not just performance

14:15 – Lessons learned from the market, experience, observations, and mistakes

17:28 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

This time, Sabrina is joined by Tushar Patel, Managing Director at HFIM, to reflect on 30+ years in the hedge fund industry. From the 90s, when hedge funds were a high-net-worth private club, to today’s trillion-dollar, institutionalised industry, Tushar shares how the landscape, strategies, and allocator expectations have evolved. He also discusses the future of the industry, lessons from over the decades, and his advice for the next generation in this ever-changing space.

Timestamps:

00:37 – Who is Tushar & what did the hedge fund world look like in the 90s

03:49 – Hedge fund evolution: a secret club to a trillion-dollar industry

06:13 – The next is not simply return: key trends, specialisation and multi-strat dominance

07:35 – How Tushar’s investment philosophy evolved over the decades

10:03 – Lessons from both successful and challenging allocations

13:31 – Advice for young professionals in hedge funds

17:00 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

This material, view and discussion provided in the podcast are for information purposes only. The views, opinions, estimates, and strategies expressed are those of Tushar Patel in a personal capacity, based on current market conditions, and are subject to change without notice. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Hedge Funds Investment Management (“HFIM”), its affiliates, or its employees, and should not be regarded as representing HFIM’s official position. This information does not constitute HFIM research and should not be treated as such. Any companies referenced are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent a recommendation, solicitation, or endorsement by HFIM. Nothing herein should be construed as investment, legal, tax, or other advice.

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with Shirin Dehghan, CEO of Oxford Algorithms, who shares her journey from tech and venture capital to hedge funds. They discuss what it takes to lead a hedge fund business, navigating challenges, role models, and personal habits that help her stay motivated under pressure and high expectations. 

Timestamps:

01:38 – Shirin’s journey from tech, VC, and to hedge funds

02:36 – Differences in running a hedge fund business

05:17 – Leading through challenging times

09:19 – Insights from her recent trip to Chicago

12:29 – Staying motivated as a CEO: habits, routines, and balance

14:50 – Mentors and role models who shaped her path

17:01 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

Frederic Guibaud, CFA, CAIA, cofounder of AlphaBee Asset Management, joins Sabrina to share lessons from the 2008 crisis, the toughest challenges in hedge fund allocation, and why liquidity and diversification matter more than ever. He also reflects on career lessons, advice for his younger self, and what he loves and dislikes about the industry.

Timestamps:

01:15 – Frederic’s 20-year journey in finance

02:01 – What’s behind the name Alphabee

03:10 – 500+ hedge fund launches a year? How allocators cut through the noise

06:12 – Multi-manager funds and diversification: finding the right balance

08:54 – Hedge funds vs. other asset classes: What is Frederic’s favorite?

10:12 – If he could go back in time: advice Frederic would give his younger self

14:01 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

Website: ⁠⁠oxfordalgorithms.com⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/oxford-algorithms-ltd

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with a next-gen Alpha Man, Brendan McLean, an allocator who has dedicated his whole career to hedge fund manager research, to discuss his evolution of allocator roles, how he assesses managers, and what it's really like working inside a family office built by a former hedge fund manager.

Timestamps:

01:15 – Brendan’s manager selection career began right after leaving campus

04:14 – Pension Funds vs. Family Offices: Key Similarities& Differences

07:22 – Working at a family office led by a former hedge fund manager: How it shapes thinking

09:38 – Learning from mistakes in investing

12:00 – Standing out as a next-gen allocator among senior peers

13:24 – Advice for young allocators (and professionals!)

14:26 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

Website: ⁠oxfordalgorithms.com⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/oxford-algorithms-ltd

In this episode, Sabrina sits down with an Alpha man, James Orbell, a seasoned Fund of Funds veteran and advisor at Oxford Algorithms, to unpack the allocator’s mindset and the evolving hedge fund landscape.

Timestamps:

00:56 – James’ 30-year journey from sales to leading multi-billion FoFs

02:14 – What makes a good allocator?

05:09 – What allocators look for in hedge fund managers

08:39 – Performance consistency vs. strategic consistency

11:05 – The future of Fund of Funds: dead or evolving?

14:01 – How do you keep yourself going/motivated under this dynamic, fast-paced, and stressful market?

16:49 – What’s the best thing you like and the worst thing you dislike about the Hedge Fund industry?

Website: oxfordalgorithms.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/oxford-algorithms-ltd