Business & Finance
Thu, February 24, 2011Wed, February 23, 2011Tue, February 22, 2011Mon, February 21, 2011Sun, February 20, 2011Fri, February 18, 2011Thu, February 17, 2011Wed, February 16, 2011Tue, February 15, 2011WR Managed Accounts, LLC Announces Strategic Alliance with Duff & Phelps and Harcourt Investment Consulting
Published in Business and Finance on Friday, February 18th 2011 at 5:45 GMT by Market Wire
STAMFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--WR Managed Accounts, LLC (aWRa), a privately held provider of managed account and technology solutions for hedge fund investments, today announced a strategic partnership with Duff & Phelps (NYSE: DUF), a leading financial advisory and investment banking services firm, and Harcourt Investment Consulting AG (aHarcourta), a preeminent Zurich-based alternative asset management company and part of the Vontobel Group, an internationally oriented Swiss private bank. The partnership will enable the firms to develop unique technology-based solutions that provide transparency for hedge funds and their investors.
"Our team also looks forward to jointly developing new service offerings that are natural extensions of the work our firm has been successfully performing in the alternative asset space for many years."
Concurrently, Duff & Phelps and Harcourt/Vontobel made equity investments in WR, terms of which were not disclosed.
aThis strategic alliance with two strong institutional partners, Duff & Phelps and Harcourt, provides WR with financial and strategic support that will materially enhance our global offering to hedge fund and alternative asset managers,a commented Walter Raquet, WR co-founder and chairman. aAdditionally, we look forward to working with Duff & Phelps and Harcourt to develop new services that offer greater control and transparency to the hedge fund markets.a
WR provides institutional managed account solutions for hedge fund investments as well as risk aggregationand portfolio construction analytics. Raquet has more than 41 years of experience in the securities industry and co-founded Knight Trading Group in 1995. The firma™s chief executive officer, Andrew Weisman, served as the chief portfolio manager for the Merrill Lynch Hedge Fund Development and Management Group and chief investment officer and member of the board of directors for Nikko Securities International.
aWe are excited to work with WR and Harcourt to collaborate on business development efforts in the hedge fund market, an area where we have deep experience and strong relationships,a said Noah Gottdiener, chief executive officer of Duff & Phelps. aOur team also looks forward to jointly developing new service offerings that are natural extensions of the work our firm has been successfully performing in the alternative asset space for many years.a
aHarcourt is seizing the opportunity to develop the combined offering of these three partners in the managed account space," said Stephan Fritz, chief executive officer of Harcourt. "The combination of our skills and talents will unlock significant business potential and provide all of our clients with a unique offering for state-of-the-art managed account investment solutions.a
About WR Managed Accounts LLC
WR Managed Accounts, LLC, provides managed account solutions for hedge fund investments. Related services includerisk aggregationand portfolio construction analytics. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, the firm currently employs approximately 30 professional staff members. Through its institutional managed account services business, WR provides greater portfolio oversight and control, when compared to traditional Fund of Fund or Hedge Fund investments. These benefits include increased transparency, enhanced risk information, improved liquidity, and reduced operational risk. [ www.wrgroupholdings.com ]
About Duff & Phelps
As a leading global independent provider of financial advisory and investment banking services, Duff & Phelps delivers trusted advice to our clients principally in the areas of valuation, transactions, financial restructuring, dispute and taxation. Our world class capabilities and resources, combined with an agile and responsive delivery, distinguish our clients' experience in working with us. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Duff & Phelps is committed to fulfilling its mission to protect, recover and maximize value for its clients. Investment banking services in the United States are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Investment banking services in the United Kingdom and Germany are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. Duff & Phelps Securities Ltd. is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Investment banking services in France are provided by Duff & Phelps SAS. For more information, visit [ www.duffandphelps.com ]. (NYSE: DUF)
About Harcourt Investment Consulting AG
Harcourt AG is a global leading provider of alternative investment solutions for institutional investors. Founded in 1997, the company has its headquarters in Zurich with offices in New York, Hong Kong, Stockholm, Geneva, Madrid and Cayman Islands. Harcourt is owned by strategic partner Vontobel Group. Harcourt employs a staff of 70 professionals and focuses exclusively on alternative investments, managing USD 4.7bn. For further information, please visit [ www.harcourt.ch ].
About Vontobel Group
The Vontobel Group is an internationally-oriented Swiss private bank. The family-owned bank was first established in Zurich in 1924. Vontobel specializes in wealth management for private clients and asset management for institutional investors, as well as in investment banking. As of 30 June 2010, the Group held over CHF 116 bn of assets. Around 1,400 employees worldwide provide first-rate, customized services for clients with an international focus. The registered shares of Vontobel Holding AG are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Vontobel is the owner of Harcourt Investment Consulting. For more information visit, [ www.vontobel.com ].
