Lombard Odier -Lombard Odier Investment Managers (‘Lombard Odier IM’) announces that the Volantis investment management team is to join the firm from AlphaGen Capital. The team manages more than $1 billion in assets in UK equity long / short and long only strategies.

The eight person team will join Lombard Odier IM’s existing 1798 hedge fund strategies platform. They will  be based in London, manage a niche strategy focused on UK small-caps and will benefit from full access to the firm’s asset management platform, which includes investment strategists, operations, distribution, risk management, compliance and legal capabilities.

The teams’ transfer to Lombard Odier IM will be implemented under a facilitation agreement and is subject to conditions including fund board approvals, applicable regulatory consents and requisite investor votes.  Completion is expected in the first quarter of 2017, at which point Lombard Odier IM will become the manager of the alternative funds and sub-manager of the long-only fund currently managed by the Volantis investment management team.

Jean-Pascal Porcherot, Head of 1798 hedge fund strategies, at Lombard Odier IM, comments: “Attracting this team to Lombard Odier represents an important milestone in broadening our alternatives and uncorrelated solutions platform by establishing complementary capabilities in the UK equity long / short space. The team comes to us with a proven investment process, strong track record and extensive network which will underpin growth in existing client relationships and access to new clients. That Lombard Odier IM can attract a team of this calibre is a testament to the strength of our platform, our brand and our standing in alternatives.”

Adam McConkey, Head of the Volantis team and Director of UK Smaller Companies, comments, “Our team is very excited to become part of Lombard Odier IM.  We feel the organisation, investment approach and environment will be a great fit for our team and our clients and look forward to working with Lombard Odier IM to build on the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Paul Graham, CEO of AlphaGen Capital said, “As our business model is increasingly focused on more liquid and scalable strategies, we agreed with Volantis that moving to Lombard Odier IM would be in the best interest of investors.

“The team will continue to manage their funds in the same manner and style that has brought them great success since inception over 10 years ago.  We retain a good working relationship with the team, not least as they will continue to manage our long-only fund on a delegated basis, and wish them all the best.”