Valiance, a specialist UK pensions funding and alternative investment boutique, has appointed as chairman Rufus Warner, most recently chief executive at Close Investments.
Valiance, a specialist UK pensions funding and alternative investment boutique, has appointed as chairman Rufus Warner, most recently chief executive at Close Investments. Warner will head both the company’s board and the investment committee of the Valiance Alpha Fund, its flagship diversified alternatives vehicle for UK pension schemes.
‘We’re delighted to welcome Rufus on board,’ says Valiance chief executive David Hunter. ‘His experience of operating and growing fund management businesses will enhance development of our advised funds and thus investment value for clients.’
Warner says: ‘This is an emerging business with great focus, one that’s ideally positioned to help restore solvency and stability to UK pension schemes and their sponsors. Having known David and other members of the team for many years, I’m looking forward to working with them in pursuit of pensions funding efficiency and alternatives investing excellence.’
Warner has spent more than 25 years in the City, mostly with fund management companies including Fidelity, Hoare Govett, Morgan Grenfell Asset Management and Société Générale Asset Management, as an analyst, a fund manager, a business developer and a chief executive.
As chief executive of Close Investments, the funds arm of Close Brothers Group, he developed and oversaw the fund of hedge funds and institutional multi-manager businesses as well as other in-house and outsourced fund management activities.
Valiance introduces funding to help repair pension scheme deficits, as well as designing and promoting investment and risk solutions that improve pension scheme solvency and reduce volatility. Founded in 2006 by investment consulting actuary David Hunter and private equity specialist Ewan Stradling, the firm’s main focus is on helping ‘pensions-challenged’ businesses resolve outstanding liabilities while securing benefits for scheme members.
