Key Takeaways
- • Affiliated Managers Group (AMG) completes minority investment in Systematica Investments, with founder and CEO Leda Braga acquiring an increased majority ownership stake while AMG retains a substantial minority position.
- • AMG and Braga jointly acquire BlueCrest Capital Management's remaining equity stake in Systematica, eliminating the third-party investor's interest in the hedge fund manager.
- • Systematica manages approximately $8.8 billion in assets as of October 2015, with a track record of outperforming industry benchmarks through its flagship BlueTrend strategy and other quantitative and systematic trading strategies.
- • Staff and management ownership structure preserved: Following the transaction, Systematica remains primarily owned by its employees and partners, maintaining alignment between management and external investors across its global client base of pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and high-net-worth individuals.
- • Leadership continuity secured: Leda Braga continues as Chief Executive Officer overseeing 48 investment professionals across offices in Geneva, London, New York, Singapore, and Jersey.
Summary
Affiliated Managers Group and Systematica Investments CEO Leda Braga have jointly completed an acquisition of BlueCrest Capital Management's remaining equity interest in Systematica Investments, according to announcements from both firms. The transaction restructures ownership to increase Braga's majority stake while providing AMG with a substantial minority position in the systematic and managed futures hedge fund manager.
Systematica, which separated from BlueCrest as an independent organization in January 2015, has established itself as a prominent technology-driven investment firm recognized for rigorous application of quantitative methodology to trading and investment management. As of October 2015, the firm managed approximately $8.8 billion in assets for an institutional client base including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm's flagship BlueTrend strategy, operational since 2004, has delivered award-winning performance and significantly outperformed relevant industry benchmarks and peer strategies over the long term.
The transaction maintains Systematica's employee and partner-owned structure, consistent with AMG's broader investment philosophy for its affiliate managers. Leda Braga, founder and Chief Executive Officer, continues to lead the organization alongside her senior management team overseeing 48 investment professionals distributed across five global offices: Geneva, London, New York, Singapore, and Jersey. Systematica's strategic offering encompasses managed futures, quantitative equity investing, trend-following strategies, and liquid alternative vehicles, positioning it within the systematic trading and quantitative hedge fund segment.
The investment reflects confidence in Systematica's business model and performance trajectory within AMG's growing portfolio of alternative asset managers. By eliminating BlueCrest's minority stake and reinforcing Braga's controlling interest, the transaction clarifies ownership and governance while preserving the operational autonomy and incentive alignment that characterize AMG's affiliate partnerships.
Systematica, which separated from BlueCrest as an independent organization in January 2015, has established itself as a prominent technology-driven investment firm recognized for rigorous application of quantitative methodology to trading and investment management. As of October 2015, the firm managed approximately $8.8 billion in assets for an institutional client base including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals. The firm's flagship BlueTrend strategy, operational since 2004, has delivered award-winning performance and significantly outperformed relevant industry benchmarks and peer strategies over the long term.
The transaction maintains Systematica's employee and partner-owned structure, consistent with AMG's broader investment philosophy for its affiliate managers. Leda Braga, founder and Chief Executive Officer, continues to lead the organization alongside her senior management team overseeing 48 investment professionals distributed across five global offices: Geneva, London, New York, Singapore, and Jersey. Systematica's strategic offering encompasses managed futures, quantitative equity investing, trend-following strategies, and liquid alternative vehicles, positioning it within the systematic trading and quantitative hedge fund segment.
The investment reflects confidence in Systematica's business model and performance trajectory within AMG's growing portfolio of alternative asset managers. By eliminating BlueCrest's minority stake and reinforcing Braga's controlling interest, the transaction clarifies ownership and governance while preserving the operational autonomy and incentive alignment that characterize AMG's affiliate partnerships.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.