A new advisory platform focusing on Asian strategies

OP Investment Management Ltd. (“OPIM”), Asia’s leading hedge fund platform, is partnering with Daniel Jim of Tripod Management and the Pharus Group in Europe to launch a new advisory offering aimed at assisting EU-based institutional investors with allocations across Asian hedge funds. The new business will also include the launch of the 'Tripod BóLè' platform which seeks to provide access to handpicked emerging managers from ASIA via a regulated Luxembourg SICAV.

The new business combines a three-way partnership: Mr. Jim as Chief Investment Advisor, with his 20+ years’ experience with institutional allocators, OPIM’s award winning hedge fund platform, and the extensive reach and experience of the Pharus Group in Europe, to provide alpha-driven investors access to best-in-class Asian strategies. Named after “Sūn Bólè”, the legendary Chinese warhorse equestrian expert during the Zhou Dynasty (c.659-621 BCE), known for his talent-spotting ability, the new platform will focus on servicing family offices and medium-sized institutions across the EU. Meanwhile, prospective strategies will include well established ones in Asia that have displayed persistent edge and consistent track record as well as out-performing China-focused strategies that are just breaking out into the global space; of which both have a predominantly regional investor base at the moment.

“Launching the ‘Tripod BóLè’ platform and advisory division is a continuation of the work throughout my career in bridging the closing divide between EU and Asia - helping allocators find yet to be discovered talents and opportunities. More now than ever, emerging allocators are demanding access to new sources of alpha previously only mined by tier-one mega allocators who’ve the in-house capabilities to due diligence regional opportunities. The polarization of capital towards only the largest strategies and managers has consistently shown dilution of returns, and our clients are well aware of this, so we’re catalyzing this access arbitrage,” Jim opines.

Alvin Fan, CEO of OPIM, reiterates “Finding undiscovered talents has been our mission since Oriental Patron was established almost 30 years ago, and it continues to drive us deeper into the market. We’ve actually been working with Daniel for years now, so this is in fact formalizing the relationship and intensifying our focus. We’ve always believed in partnerships that actually matter, and Daniel’s pedigree in the EU and his background as an allocator resonates with OPIM’s aspirations to a consistent service to allocators abroad. Working together, we’re excited to bring to the market new products that would otherwise either be too generic by regulatory definitions (such as UCITS) or inaccessible by virtue of the high cost of due diligence.”

To be established and managed on the Ritom Sicav platform of Pharus Management Lux SA, Management Company based in Luxembourg, 'Tripod BóLè' will have a RAIF fund structure providing regionally compliant access to alternative strategies. The platform is scheduled to be launched in Q4 2020 alongside with a shortlist of Asian managers who will be showcased for their outperformances and unique strategies. Not to be confused with a Fund of Fund, the platform will have segregated portfolio fund structures to allow allocators direct access and attributions at their own discretion.

Alessia Cerletti, Pharus Management Lux SA delegate and Head for the project, adds "Pharus is excited to support 'Tripod BoLe' in establishing the platform, in particular in the definition of the distribution network in Europe and in providing independent compliance and governance oversights on the sub-funds on the platform.” She further adds “our long lasting friendship with Daniel and the reciprocal professional esteem and trust built up during the past 25 years made the rest. We, the Pharus team, are all ready to welcome on board the best breed of Asian investment talents and present them to the European Institutional Market!”