Liongate Capital Management

Best Investor Relations Team: Winner

The fact that three quarters of Liongate Capital Management's original investors, from 2004, still have their money invested in Liongate funds, "is proof that our client service approach has been successful," says head of investor relations Paul Bentley. "We view our clients as investment partners and we strive to help them achieve their long-term investment objectives."

The investment committee, on which sits the firm's three partners, Randall Dillard, Jeff Holland and Ben Funk, collectively has forty years of direct experience in capital markets and investment management, and it is from that hub that the investment approach, focus on delivering consistent risk-adjusted returns, and the proactive, accurate and timely dissemination of information to clients is derived.

The investor relations team sends out reports to investors each month, delivering a range of detailed information. This covers weekly estimates each Wednesday reflecting performance through the previous Friday; a "flash estimate" of performance - within six business days after month-end; an "investor report" including performance analysis, commentary, and performance attribution per strategy; the "final NAV report" from Citco Fund Services (Europe) B.V., the group's independent administrators; and the fund's annual audited financial statements.

In addition to these reports, investors who require more in-depth analysis can request detailed qualitative and quantitative analytical reports on the funds, risk management presentations, hedge fund manager information sheets, comparative peer group analysis reports and due diligence questionnaires.

"We aim to offer our investors a superior standard of service and very quick responses to emails or phone queries by leveraging our industry-leading client relationship management (CRM) software," says Bentley.

The software, dCRM, developed by Digiterre, based upon a Microsoft platform and customised to meet Liongate's specific needs, runs alongside the group's proprietary risk management system, PRiMa. The latter system, as well as providing core data used in the investment process, enables the investor relations team to access and distribute information to investors "in the most accurate and timely way", says Bentley.

Active dialogue with investors is encouraged by the group which looks to agree a calendar of conference calls and meetings with clients. In this respect, Bentley adds, investors can expect a monthly conference call with a portfolio specialist, analysing performance in the past month, market outlook, changes in the portfolio and any other relevant issues.

Face-to-face update meetings with a senior portfolio manager and partner in charge of investors, to go through a full review of markets, performance, portfolio and investment outlook, are scheduled at least every six months, but Liongate offers more frequent and ad hoc meetings to meet the individual client's needs.

At times of major market events, such as those in September through November 2008, or any major events in the portfolio, the investor relations team will contact clients by phone or by the client's preferred means of communication to ensure they are up to date on events and fully aware of the group's views on, and actions being taken in respect of, those events.

But perhaps most tellingly, the commitment of Liongate to its business and its investor relations is demonstrated by the fact that all three Liongate Partners as well as employees of the group have substantial capital invested in all the Liongate funds. "It ensures that our interests are aligned with those of our investors, and every day we strive to provide exceptional client service to all of our investors," adds Bentley.