Guardian Capital Group is to acquire a specialist boutique emerging market equity investment firm in London, providing the firm with an international platform to expand its asset management business.
Guardian has agreed to acquire London-based Zephyr Management (UK) Ltd, manager of the Zephyr Aurora Fund, an emerging market equity fund led by the experienced emerging market equity portfolio management team of Steve Bates and Clive Lloyd.
Bates (pictured), portfolio manager and chief investment officer for the Zephyr Aurora Fund, has led the Zephyr Management (UK) Ltd investment operations since 2002, following a successful career as head of JP Morgan Fleming Asset Management's emerging market activities which he established in 1990.
"We are delighted to have Steve Bates and Clive Lloyd joining Guardian," says George Mavroudis, Guardian president and chief executive officer. "Steve and Clive comprise one of the most accomplished emerging market equity portfolio management teams in the industry. With the acquisition of Zephyr Management (UK) Ltd., Guardian gains both great investment talent and an operating platform in a key global financial centre."
"We are pleased to be joining Guardian, a firm with a strong investment management culture and the financial strength to support the growth of the Aurora Fund," says Bates. "Both Clive and I are excited by the prospect of working with the backing of Guardian's resources and the impetus these will give to our efforts to deliver best-in-class emerging market equity investment management to our clients."
Guardian is acquiring Zephyr Management (UK) Ltd. from its parent company, Zephyr Management LP, a global investment management firm headquartered in New York, which focuses on emerging market private equity investments, as well as wealth management through its Plimsoll Mark Capital division.
The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in first quarter 2014.
