CEO named for new Asian Funds Management boutique

LSL Partners, a newly-launched boutique funds management firm, has announced the appointment of Kim Ivey as partner, executive chair and CEO, effective March 2018.

Based in Sydney, with plans to launch in Hong Kong in 2019, LSL Partners will construct alternative investment products focused on the Asian region for Australian and international investors.

Ivey has 30 years' experience in financial services, including roles with Merrill Lynch International, Citibank, Towers Perrin and Commonwealth Financial Services.

Previously, he was the CIO/CEO and founder of Vertex Capital Management (VCM). After selling VCM in 2007, he has been making proprietary investments through his family office, advising regulators, asset managers and family offices on investment issues.

Joining Ivey at LSL Partners is partner and chief investment officer, Tim Cheung; partner and head of research, Chung Ip; and chief operating officer, David Gray.

Commenting on the new venture, Ivey, said: "LSL Partners will offer investors innovative choices when investing in Asia. With the right people and a deep understanding of the region, there are many reasons why a skilled investment business can, and should be established in Australia, with links into Asia. LSL Partners is purposefully built to fill this need."

He added: "We are bringing a strong team to work on these opportunities. Along with Timothy and Chung, David Gray, a seventeen year veteran of UBS's prime broking business in Australia and Asia, is our COO and brings twenty-five years of institutional operational experience to the business."

LSL Partners' first product, The Fury Fund, is an Asian long/short equity fund, investing in Asian public markets with an absolute return focus. It will be available to wholesale Australian investors and is expected to launch in May 2018.