RWC Partners has appointed Peter Allwright and Stuart Frost to manage absolute return and currency funds.  Allwright (pictured) and Frost are lead managers on the Threadneedle Absolute Return Bond portfolios which have grown to more than USD3bn since launch over four years ago. They are co-managers of the Threadneedle Absolute Return Bond Fund, which is AA-rated by Standard and Poor’s and A-rated by OBSR and also co-manage the Morningstar 5 star-rated Threadneedle Target Return Fund. Allwright and Frost will take over the management of the RWC Strategic Reserve Fund and will be launching funds with a more flexible approach to

Law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson has hired derivatives lawyer Robert McLaughlin as a partner in its asset management and financial services practices.  McLaughlin, whose clients include investment and commercial banks, investment management firms, individual investors, corporations and government-sponsored entities, is the author of Over-the-Counter Derivative Products:  A Guide to Business and Legal Risk Management and Documentation. McLaughlin’s practice concentrates on financial transactions with an emphasis on over-the-counter derivatives, structured products, synthetic investments and credit extensions, as well as derivatives claim trading.  He regularly advises market participants on legislative and regulatory developments. He has extensive experience structuring and

Deutsche Bank has hired Anita Nemes as global head of capital introduction, based in London. She will spearhead the ongoing effort to provide Deutsche Bank’s hedge fund clients with access to institutional sources of capital, which has been one of the most significant growth areas for hedge funds since 2008.    Nemes will join the bank in October from Merrill Lynch where she was global head of capital introduction. She will report to the regional heads of prime finance sales.    Rich Herman, global head of institutional client sales at Deutsche Bank, says: “Our hedge fund client base is very

The International Capital Market Association has appointed Gilles Lindental of Louis Capital Markets to chair the ICMA France and Monaco region. Lindental will co-ordinate ICMA’s activities in France and Monaco in support of its members, focusing on strengthening relationships between members in the region, identifying the specific concerns and interests of French members and expanding membership in France.   Martin Scheck, ICMA chief executive, says: "Gilles brings a wealth of professional experience as well as energy and enthusiasm to the chairman’s role; he will be an immense asset to the association in developing services and support for our French members.”

John Collins has been appointed a member at Kinetic Partners to extend the firm’s growing range of risk services.  In addition to the risk and valuation services platform, Collins (pictured) will develop a broader range of risk consultancy services to investment banks, prime brokers, asset servicers, large asset managers and hedge funds. Kinetic Partners will offer consulting skills across the spectrum of risk: market risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, regulatory risk and reporting, operational risk, and risk control/middle office.   Collins has a strong background in risk management. He joins Kinetic Partners having founded and built Rule Financial’s risk practice

Financial services firm Cowen Group has hired Thomas O’Mara as head of equity derivatives and convertibles. O’Mara will be primarily responsible for expanding the firm’s equity derivative capabilities and building out a presence in the convertible market. He will be based in New York. "Tom is a professional with exceptionally broad experience in equity derivatives and convertible trading activities," says Peter Cohen (pictured), chairman and chief executive officer of Cowen Group. "Tom is ideally suited to work with John O’Donoghue, our head of equities, to lead the growth of our sales and trading platform, where we continue to expand our

Aladdin Capital has appointed Keith Innes as its global head of sales. Innes joins Aladdin with over 25 years of financial industry experience in institutional sales at Lehman Brothers, Banque Indosuez (later bought by Credit Agricole) and most recently at Forum Partners. Innes will be based in Aladdin’s Stamford US headquarters and hold chief responsibility for oversight of Aladdin’s global distribution capabilities. Neal Neilinger, chief investment officer at Aladdin, says: “As Aladdin continues to grow both its investment banking and investment management businesses, it is critical to our success that we have someone in place with a strong management background

Symphony Asset Management has named Anne B. Popkin as president, effective 12 July. Popkin brings nearly 20 years of institutional experience to the firm. She will assume responsibility for all non-investment activities at the firm, including business development, client service, operations, trade support, technology and compliance, and will report directly to Symphony’s chief investment officer and chief executive Gunther Stein. "We are excited to welcome Anne as president of Symphony. She is a proven leader with a strong track record of success in the hedge fund industry. In addition to overseeing all operational and marketing activities, Anne will be responsible