UBS Builds Out Hedge Fund Manager

UBS is bulking up its hedge fund unit with industry veterans. 

The Swiss bank announced Thursday it has hired seven portfolio managers for UBS O’Connor, a multi-strategy manager with $5.6 billion in assets. 

“With the hedge fund industry currently under pressure, O’Connor… is strongly situated to capitalize on this to make strategic hires,” said Dawn Fitzpatrick, group managing director and global head of equities, multi-asset, and O’Connor.

UBS O’Connor named Erin Browne—previously at Point72 Asset Management—as managing director and portfolio manager for macroeconomic-focused equity investments. Browne also spent time running the global macro prop trading group at Citigroup, as well as in similar equity roles at Moore Capital, Neuberger Berman, and Lehman Brothers.

Andrew Hameling and James Moynihan also joined O’Connor to co-run telecommunications, media, and technology (TMT) strategy. They come from TMT specialist Wavelength Capital Management.

Ryan Stephens was also named portfolio manager covering financials, joining from Surveyor Capital, Citadel’s multi-manager strategy arm.

O’Connor also poached two managers from GLG Partners, a subsidiary of Man Group. Anthony Burton and Phil Pearson will concentrate on TMT equity strategies in London, UBS said.

Lastly, London-based Bramshott Capital’s Founder Paul Findlay will act as O’Connor’s European generalist. Findlay focused on fundamental long/short European equity at Bramshott, and also spent time at Louis Bacon’s Moore Capital heading a team of analysts. He began his career at BAE Systems’ pension fund.

“We believe these edition of these new hires enhance and strengthen O’Connor’s offering,” Fitzpatrick concluded, “and demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering best-in-class investment expertise and experience.”