The Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA) has just published new research exploring where hedge funds are sourcing talent and the steps taken to retain employees during the so-called ’Great Resignation’ and what roles (such as ESG specialists) will be most in demand in near future.
Asked what they are doing to help develop talent in a remote working environment, the most popular answer given by hedge funds was regular online meetings (78 per cent), followed by webinars and online seminars (50 per cent) and coaching — both external and internal — (44 per cent).
The paper, “Gaining an Edge”, explores how hedge funds motivated their employees throughout the pandemic and which of the remote working environment tactics have helped hedge funds navigate the pandemic.
The survey and subsequent conversations with both large and small managers suggest that ESG specialists, in all their various forms, are expected to become one of the most in-demand hires over the next five to 10 years.
The paper also demonstrates that EMEA firms are much more likely than those in other regions to have at least one ESG staff member. Over half of EMEA-based firms have at least one member of staff in a dedicated ESG role, compared to 15 per cent in North America and 8 per cent in APAC.
The report draws on industry data from a market survey of 100 hedge funds collectively managing more than USD520 billion. To further contextualise the findings of the survey, AIMA conducted broad market research across the hedge fund industry including interviews with consultants and hedge fund head-hunters.
