When Stanley Fink decided to come out of retirement after only a couple of months, few were surprised. The man who was one of the dominating characters of the industry still commands respect and admiration. Hedge Funds Review editor Margie Lindsay talks to him about his latest job and his views on the future and viability of hedge funds.

Most people who have achieved as much in business as Stanley Fink would be content to rest on their laurels. Not Fink. After only two months in retirement after stepping down as head of the Man Group, he decided to join International Standard Asset Management (ISAM) as chief executive.

Two things drew him back into the industry: the challenge of growing another company and a passionate desire to be able to give more money to his various philanthropic causes.

Fink helped form ISAM with Lord Levy of Mill Hill, Roy Sher and Alan Amler in August 2008. ISAM runs the International Standard Macro Fund, an absolute return fund originally set up in 2007 by Sher in collaboration with Amler. The managers specialise in trading long or short positions in the largest futures markets such as foreign exchange, equities, bonds and commodities using derivatives.

In his role at ISAM Fink is responsible for the operational management of the business, something he relishes.