AllianceBernstein has appointed Michael H Conn as managing director – strategy, operations and development, supporting the firm's fund of funds business.
He will be based in Los Angeles and report to Marc Gamsin, head of AllianceBernstein's alternative investment management group.
In this newly created role, Conn will work closely with Gamsin to develop the business strategy and new products for the group, as well as support existing and potential clients. He will also collaborate with the broader alternatives team to enhance the firm's diverse product offerings and help clients better understand the role alternatives can play in their portfolio.
Over the years, AllianceBernstein has significantly expanded its alternative platform, including adding five product and marketing specialists globally in the last year. Today, AllianceBernstein manages approximately USD16bn in alternative assets and offers a range of strategies and capabilities that span asset classes and liquidity profiles.
"Our clients are increasingly seeking to diversify their portfolios with alternative investments and we are pleased that we can both deliver the right services for them and attract the top talent needed to stay at the forefront of the industry," says Chris Bricker, head of alternatives at AllianceBernstein. "With Michael's expertise and diverse alternatives background, he will be an integral part of our efforts to take advantage of this growth opportunity and to better manage risk for our clients as we build upon the success of our multi-manager focused investment solutions."
Conn joins AllianceBernstein from The TCW Group, where he was most recently managing director, head of corporate strategy and development for both traditional and alternative investments globally. Prior to joining TCW, he was a senior financial analyst of strategic planning and development with the Los Angeles Times/Tribune Company.