Publish Date : 10-Dec-2018
The Generali Group (Generali), one of the worlds leading insurance and asset management groups, has acquired CM Investment Solutions Limited (CMISL), from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
A recognized leader in the delivery of alternative UCITS (Undertakings for the Collective Investment of Transferable Securities) strategies, with an international and fast growing client base, CMISL will further help Generalis product offering and distribution capabilities for its clients and distribution partners.
Over the last ten years, the search for uncorrelated positive absolute sources of returns has fuelled investor appetite for non-traditional asset classes. In line with this trend, assets invested in alternative UCITS strategies have been witnessing a significant increase, from below 100 billion in 2008 to over 582 billion as of August 2018, with a 2.5x growth in the last four years alone1.
CMISL was established in 2007, and for over 11 years has been partnering with leading alternative asset managers, growing to become the largest platform in this market segment, with over $ 11bn in assets under management (AuM) as at 30th September 2018.
The quality of CMISLs managers and strategies has been consistently acknowledged by investors, with seven HFM Awards2 for the best UCITS platform received in the last eight years, and six HFR Awards3 won in a row.
CMISL will operate autonomously, whilst at the same time benefiting from the support of a large global group. CMISL will be 100% owned by Generali Investments Holding S.p.A. and continue to be headquartered in London with global reach.
This acquisition marks an acceleration in the execution of Generalis asset management strategy, which targets an expansion into alternative strategies and growth outside of Europe.
Generali aims to build one of the five largest multi-boutique platforms in the world in terms of overall profits in the next 5 years as presented during its Investor Day on the 21st of November 2018.
Carlo Trabattoni, CEO of Generali Investments Partners, stated: The acquisition of CM Investment Solutions Limited is an important step ahead in shaping our multiboutique strategy, as their undisputed expertise in the delivery of liquid UCITS funds and other bespoke strategies gives us the opportunity to offer a selection of top quality alternative products to our clients.
Tim Ryan, CEO of Generali Asset Management, added: This acquisition perfectly complements the global setup of our asset management strategy and offering, in a segment alternative investments that we firmly believe in and that is growing in importance in our customer portfolios.
Philippe Lopategui, CEO of CM Investment Solutions Limited, commented: We are delighted to join one of the leading insurance and asset management groups. This partnership will enable CMISL to invest in infrastructure and resources, further attract the very best investment managers in the liquid and illiquid alternatives space and deliver tailor made investment solutions to our investors.
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