AIMA launches institutional investor steering committee

Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Author: Hedgeweek.com

The London-based Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), has announced the creation of a new hedge fund industry Investor Steering Committee (ISC).

The committee is to comprise institutional and other investors, and will look to offer strategic and practical guidance on hedge fund industry activities to the investor community. Additionally, the ISC will offer investors input on regulatory and political issues.
 
The idea was originally developed by AIMA's global Research Committee, with AIMA responsible for securing the involvement of high-level international institutional investors.  Members of the 13-strong Committee include:

  • Paul Spijkers, CEO, ABP Investments US Inc.
  • Jan Straatman, CIO, Axial Investment Management (formerly Pearl Group)
  • Kurt Silberstein, Portfolio Manager (Absolute Return Strategies), California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS
  • Eric Breval, Managing Director, Fonds de Compensation AVS
  • Mark Taborsky, VP, External Management, Harvard Management Company
  • François-Serge Lhabitant, Chief Investment Officer, Kedge Capital
  • Vera Kupper Staub, Chief Investment Officer, Pensionskasse Stadt Zürich
  • Alexander Ineichen, Senior Investment Officer, UBS Global Asset Management
  • Gumersindo OIiveros, Director of Pension Plan and Endowments, The World Bank Pension Plan
Christopher Fawcett, Chairman of AIMA said: 'It is imperative that the hedge fund industry engages fully with the investor community in a positive and constructive manner. Investors are an integral part of the development of the hedge fund industry. Accordingly, AIMA's efforts in policy, education, regulation and sound practices around the world will look to further reflect and incorporate investors' views'.

Initial projects identified for the ISC including offering input to the Financial Stability Forum on its ongoing hedge fund industry deliberations; as well as developing a 'roadmap' for investing in hedge funds and funds of hedge funds. 
 
Additionally, the ISC's input will be sought on key strategic issues for the industry such as the quantity and quality of educational and information materials available currently.