In this Switzer TV interview on Monday 28 July 2014, Chris discusses:

• 6-12 month performance of Australian hedge funds.

• New product release - Prism Select portal.

• Prism Select has launched with comprehensive information and performance on a range of 14 boutique funds, enabling investors to compare and research each one, while also providing a new online application tool that revolutionises the currently confusing and time consuming paper based process of applying for managed funds.

• Prism Select also provides access to each fund's offer documents and application forms through OLIVIA123, an online application service developed by AFM which provides a customised and interactive application form for each fund, reducing the time and frustration often experienced by investors when completing paper based application forms, and cutting the errors and omissions which often delay the processing of their applications.

• OLIVIA123 consists of three modules - Data Collection, Identity Verification (AML&KYC), and Online Execution - assisting fund managers and their administrators by reducing the time and costs of processing paper based applications, including compliance with new anti-money laundering legislation.

• OLIVIA123's online, interactive system is estimated to cut the time taken to complete and process a paper based application by up to 70 per cent.

Click here to view the TV Interview.

Chris Gosselin has been in the financial markets since 1986, initially in equities broking in Sydney and Melbourne prior to focussing on information distribution. He has been in the hedge fund sector since 2003, and established Australian Fund Monitors in 2006. Australian Fund Monitors provides a range of research services including due diligence, analytics and fund rankings, servicing both local and offshore investors. 

Hedge Fund Marketing and Fund Raising in 2014 and beyond

AIMA Australia is pleased to invite you to AIMAs next education event - Hedge Fund Marketing and Fund Raising in 2014 and beyond.

Date and Time: Wednesday 28 May 2014, 12:30 - 2pm.

Session Overview:

The panel will explore topics such as:

• Marketing and fund raising for Australian hedge funds & boutiques;
• Maintaining independence vs aligning with fund incubators / investment partners; and
• What investors are looking for?

Speakers:

Jarrod Brown - CEO, Bennelong Funds Management

John Corr - CIO, Aurora Funds

Nelson Lam - Director, Chase Corporate Advisory 

Moderator:

Zarmeen Pavri, Pengana Capital  

Speaker biographies:

Jarrod Brown - Jarrod joined Bennelong in September 2007 and has over 20 years experience in banking and funds management. He has worked across all elements of the funds management value chain in various executive positions with Standard & Poor's, IOOF Investment Management Limited and ING Australia. As Chief Executive Officer, Bennelong Funds Management, Jarrod is charged with developing Bennelong Group's asset management capability and is both the Responsible Manager and Director of various Bennelong Group companies. Jarrod holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Graduate Diploma (Banking & Finance), Master of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

John Corr - John is Chief Investment Officer of Aurora and sits on the Board of the listed Aurora Funds Limited. He has over 27 years experience in financial markets.  Prior to establishing Fortitude Capital (now part of Aurora Funds Limited), John was a Director at Citigroup Global Markets Australia. He worked in proprietary trading for eight years, trading local and overseas equities and equity derivatives, and was responsible for the management and development of a team of equity proprietary traders. From 1986 to 1995 John worked on the derivatives sales desk as a senior institutional dealer for a number of major investment banks, advising and executing for local and offshore institutions, corporates and trading houses. John is responsible for the investment management team at Aurora. He determines the appropriate portfolio structure and investment process for the investment strategies that Aurora manages. John works closely with all portfolio managers, providing direction and assessment of optimal risk opportunities. John has and continues to conduct a risk management program in Market Neutral and Derivative Strategies.  The objective is to educate and implement a systematic, repeatable process for disciplined trading strategies and portfolio management. The Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund, which John established in 2005, was awarded hedge fund of the year in 2008 and 2009 by AIMA. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Wollongong.

Nelson Lam  - Nelson Lam is a Director at Chase Corporate Advisory, an independent financial services specialist advisory firm, and heads up the funds management advisory practice in Chase. Prior to Chase, Nelson was Head of Investments for Ascalon Capital Managers Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westpac Banking Group and more recently held the position of Chief Operating Officer for H3 Global Advisors, a successful Australian based hedge fund. At Ascalon, Nelson completed numerous investments and divestments of funds management business and funds and was the Chief Investment Officer for the Ascalon Seed Pool between 2006 and 2012. Nelson has held numerous Directorships on various funds management businesses and has been a member of the Australia Institute of Company Directors since 2006.

RSVP procedures

Space is limited so we recommend that you register early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are open to AIMA members and non member managers only and will be intially limited to 2 per organisation. 

Please follow the link to register.

Asset Allocation 2014 Forum: 28th-30th May, Grace Hotel, Sydney

A timely landmark event designed to uncover the best approaches to asset portfolio management in an industry treading cautiously through uncertain and increasingly constrained times. This event has been designed to both update and educate investors by taking an in-depth look at these more adaptive asset allocation strategies and practices and where the best opportunities for high return lay in the current climate.

• Current and forecasted macro and micro economic outlook
• Investment opportunities in emerging markets
• Investigation of new theories and drivers in asset allocation
• Adapting to the industry's "new normal" in living with and managing risk
• Trustees perspectives in managing diversified asset portfolios
• Post-retirement portfolio development
• Reassessing the allocation mix for endowment and not-for-profit organisations
• Influence of a changing demographic landscape and how money, wealth and investment is perceived
• Fail proof guide to building and retaining investors through effective relationship management
• A close-up examination of individual asset classes and where opportunities lay and how challenges can be overcome
• General law, statute, regulation and prudential standards impacting on a superannuation funds investing in unlisted assets

Dates: 28th - 30th May 2014
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Location: Grace Hotel, Sydney

Click here to download the brochure for more details.

To register for the conference please download the brochure and fax the form to us or you can email us on [email protected] or give us a call:

Registrations Manager
IBR Conferences Pty Ltd
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9896 0776 | Fax: +61 (0) 2 9896 0796 | [email protected] | http://www.ibrc.com.au

HFA Symposium

Sydney - Wednesday 21 May 2014; 12:00 - 2:00 pm

The Hedge Fund Association, in conjunction with Pricewaterhouse Coopers, is pleased to present an update on key regulatory matters currently affecting the alternative investment industry. A panel of Pricewaterhouse Coopers senior executives will provide a detailed overview of the following topics, as well as allowing for questions and commentary from attendees:

• Introduction: Ken Woo
• Market trends and insights: Joe Sheeran
• Hot topics - Regulatory framework for an inbound hedge fund manager in Australia: Andrew Wheeler
• Other regulatory updates, including IMR, FATCA and GATCA: Darren Mack/Jodie Bosler

Attendees will enjoy a light lunch, an informative and interactive panel discussion on important regulatory matters, as well as being provided with the opportunity share experiences with industry peers.

Space is limited, please select a link below and RSVP now:

Please direct any questions regarding this event to Adriana Kostov, Australian Regional Director, HFA

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

• 12:00pm-12:30pm Registration, Light Lunch and Introduction
• 12:30pm-1:30pm Panel Discussion
• 1:30pm-2:00pm Q&A/Concluding Remarks

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Darling Park 201 Sussex Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

HFA Contacts:

Global Executive Director - Lara Block
[email protected]

Global President - Mitch Ackles
[email protected]

Australia Chapter Director - Adriana Kostov
[email protected]

UNIT PRICING 2014 FORUM, 19th - 20th May, Sydney

This 2 days forum will be exploring Unit Pricing operational challenges for 2014 & beyond

• New APRA reporting requirements & implementation: impacts on unit pricing reporting
• Comparison of unit pricing in Australia to Europe
• Tax benefits of rolling from accumulation to pension phase - How to pass these to the members
• Unit Pricing operational risks & unit pricing errors
• Custodial unit pricing embracing change whilst driving improvement in the client experience
• Trustees new after-tax investing responsibilities under stronger super and the fund operations can help.
• Bottom up Versus top down tax provisioning
• Juxtaposition between an increase in unit pricing complexities alongside the desire for more simplified unit pricing process
• Internal Controls - How to minimise the risk of a unit pricing error & operational efficiency

Dates: 19^th-20^th May 2014
Time: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Location: Grace Hotel, Sydney

Click here to view the Agenda and more information on the event.

To register for the conference please download the brochure and fax the form to us or you can email us on [email protected] or give us a call:

Registrations Manager
IBR Conferences Pty Ltd
Tel: +61 (0) 2 9896 0776 | Fax: +61 (0) 2 9896 0796 | [email protected] | http://www.ibrc.com.au

Advent Connect, 2014

3 April 2014 - Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne

Stay up to date on industry trends with fresh insights from industry thought leaders, your peers, and Advent¹s executive management team.

Event highlights include:

• Advent Overview with Chris Momsen, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Solutions Management
• Panel on Cloud Computing and the Future of Financial Services, moderated by Alex Wise, Select Funds

Panelists include:

• Brian Smith, Risk Metrics and Chris O¹Connor, Eze Castle Software

Keynote presentations on:

• Regulatory issues by Nikki Bentley, Partner at Henry Davis York
• Current economic conditions in the region by Savanth Sebastian, Equities Economist at Commonwealth Bank 
• Regional Advent Community and Global Services Update

Being held in MELBOURNE on Thursday 3 April 2014: 5-9pm at the Taxi Kitchen. Register Here.

Advent Connect, 2014

1 April 2014 - The Establishment Hotel, Sydney

OR

3 April 2014 - Taxi Kitchen, Melbourne

Stay up to date on industry trends with fresh insights from industry thought leaders, your peers, and Advent¹s executive management team.

Event highlights include:

• Advent Overview with Chris Momsen, Executive Vice President, Global Sales & Solutions Management
• Panel on Cloud Computing and the Future of Financial Services, moderated by Alex Wise, Select Funds

Panelists include:

• Brian Smith, Risk Metrics and Chris O¹Connor, Eze Castle Software

Keynote presentations on:

• Regulatory issues by Nikki Bentley, Partner at Henry Davis York
• Current economic conditions in the region by Savanth Sebastian, Equities Economist at Commonwealth Bank 
• Regional Advent Community and Global Services Update

Seats are limited. RSVP for the Sydney Event here. We look forward to seeing you! 

Also being held in MELBOURNE on Thursday 3 April 2014: 5-9pm at the Taxi Kitchen. Register for Melbourne Here.

SRLeaders Series 2014 Powered by Super Review

Tuesday 1 April 2014 7:45 - 10am, Cockle Bay Wharf, Sydney

What is the future of financial services regulation?

It's fast becoming apparent that an understanding of the potential scope and impact of the current Parliamentary Inquiry into ASIC, will have an enormous impact on professionals and businesses in financial services.

At our upcoming Leaders Series breakfast, Money Management and Super Review will bring together key players involved in this inquiry, including the deputy chairman of ASIC, Peter Kell, and one of the politicians at the centre of the Parliamentary Inquiry into ASIC, Senator David Bushby. They will provide unique insights into what the future of the financial services regulator will look like and the implications which may flow from the Financial Systems Review

HEAR FROM SPEAKERS AT THE CENTRE OF THE INQUIRY

Peter Kell, Deputy Chairman, ASIC

Senator David Bushby, Liberal Senator for Tasmania

This seminar will provide you with opportunities to:

• Hear the scope of the possible changes and their likely impact on your business.
• Examine how you and your business can prepare for and manage any potential changes in policy.
• Share your opinion and experiences of how the regulator has performed and whether a change is actually needed.
• Debate whether Australia needs three regulators or will just one do?
• Gain insights into the possible scope of the changes from a panel of industry leaders.

By attending this event, not only will you gain valuable insights into the looming changes at ASIC and their impact on you and your business, but it's also an opportunity to be a part of an important agenda setting event.

Expert Panel

Sam Dastyari, ALP Senator for NSW
Phil Anderson, COO, AFA
Andrew Bragg Director, FSC
Dante De Gori, GM, Policy and Conduct, FPA

View Agenda
Register Now

Operations Risk Management & Mitigation - from assessment to implementation

27-28 March 2014

Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney,

"Operations Risk Management & Mitigation - from assessment to implementation" - This course is approved by NASBA (National Association of State Boards of Accountancy). Seminar attendees are eligible for 16.5 CPE credits upon completion of training.

This course provides a complete structured package for learning in all main aspects of the subject of Operational Risk. It will enable participants to prepare and manage the planning and implementation of operational risk management processes in their bank/ financial institution or firm.

Key objectives and learning outcomes:

The aim of the course is to provide:

• An understanding of Risk in all its facets
• An understanding of Operational Risk Techniques for assessing, managing and mitigating Operational Risk
• A link between Operational Risk management theory & practice
• A clear "road-map" on how to implement an Operational Risk management structures them in practice in a banking organization.

Objective:

The objectives of this training course is to provide all staff, irrespective of whether they work in the front, middle or back-office, with a sound foundation in the theory and practice of Operational Risk Management. This training is provided in a practical "hands-on" manner that allows them to implement what they have learned easily and effectively.

Methodology:

This training course uses a combination of prepared tuition, examples, discussions, exercises and case studies. Most importantly it will offer participants, opportunities to share experiences and plan work within small working groups, providing practice in the application of the techniques and tools generating active participation. Case study materials as well as lecture presentations to set out the key issues in developing good operational risk management in banks.

Agenda:

Day 1:

THE WHY, HOW & WHAT OF OPERATIONAL RISK

• What is risk?
• Risk Types
• Risk & Capital - An Introduction to Basel I, II and III
• Managing Operations Risk
• Operational Risk Practical Examples
• Case Study
• Key Elements in Managing Operational Risk
• Operational Risk Financing
• Methods & Models
• COSO ERM Framework
• The Black Swan
• Case Study
• Operations Risk & Basel (II and III)
• Managing Operations Risk under Basel - A Hands-on approach
• "Sound Practices for the Management and Supervision of Operational Risk"

Day 2:

IMPLEMENTATION

• Developing an appropriate Risk Management Environment
• Defining the Categories of Operational Risks
• Products & Operations Risk
• Case Study
• MANAGING OPERATIONS RISK TOOLS & TECHNIQUES
• Causes & Consequences The Bow Tie
• Methods for Assessing Operational Risks
• Desktop Exercise
• A Risk Assessment Model
• Current Operations Risk Management Themes in Banking
• Closing CASE STUDY

Click here for detailed agenda

Venue:

Shangri-La Hotel,
176 Cumberland Street,
The Rocks, Sydney,
NSW 2000, Australia

Register Now and Save $700 (Offer Extended)
For Registrations till February 20, 2014 - $999
Actual Price - $1,699

Register here

Your registration fee includes the workshop, all course materials and lunch.