Rostron Parry appoints Patrick Birley as Deputy Chairman

11th October 2011

Rostron Parry Ltd, the London-based financial PR and strategic consultancy has announced the appointment of Patrick Birley as non-executive Deputy Chairman.  Patrick brings to the team many years of experience in the exchange-traded, clearing and environmental marketplaces, where he has held leading positions and earned a reputation for developing and promoting successful businesses.

Rostron Parry has an extensive, international exchange and trading practice and currently represent the London Metal Exchange, Eurex and the Futures & Options Association as well as a series of alternative investment funds and service providers. 

“The debate around OTC trading moving onto exchanges, High Frequency Trading, clearing, exchange M&A and, with these, regulatory hurdles and environmental concerns present many operations with a series of challenges and opportunities where transparent communication, promotion and explanation are vital, “ said Simon Rostron, Chairman and CEO of Rostron Parry Ltd.   “We are delighted to be able to work with Patrick, a friend and sometime client of many years’ standing, to ensure RP prospers in these increasingly global and complex markets,” Rostron added.

Patrick Birley assumes this position in conjunction with other executive responsibilities.   “I am looking forward to working with the team at Rostron Parry,” he said.  “I hope to develop their strong client list by building further contacts in the international exchange-traded and OTC space and a range of related areas.”

Patrick Birley began his career in finance as a broker and has since worked across a broad variety of sectors within financial and environmental markets. He has held positions such as Senior Advisor for London Stock Exchange, CEO of both the European Climate Exchange and LCH.Clearnet Ltd, as well as senior positions at the London Metal Exchange,  FTSE Group and the South African Futures Exchange.

Patrick’s experience and connections have led to his advice being sought on a number of advisory boards, in addition to his executive responsibilities. He has a strong reputation for producing results and delivering success.

Contact: Simon Rostron, Rostron Parry Ltd, London       

020 7490 8062              simon@rostronparry.com

FOA Press Briefing

The impact of speculative trading in commodity

markets – a review of the evidence

Tuesday 20th September



FOA is hosting a press briefing to announce the findings of an FTI Consulting independent

report on the impact of speculation in commodity markets.

The report, which was commissioned by the Futures and Options Association, constitutes a

literature review on the impact of speculation in commodity markets and seeks to address a

number of key questions:

Are market fundamentals the key drivers of commodity markets?

Does speculation exacerbate price movements in the short and long term?

Is market volatility increased by speculation?

What are the options for policy makers?

Date: 20th September

 

For an invitation please contact: chelsey@rostronparry.com – phone 020 7490 8062

Chelsey Furneaux joins Rostron Parry

Rostron Parry Ltd, a specialist financial PR, events and marketing group is pleased to announce the appointment of Chelsey Furneaux as an associate accounts manager for the company.

Chelsey, aged 18, joins RPL directly from Havering Sixth Form College (and from a part-time retail position), and will initially undertake a support role across a broad range of exchange-based and investment management clients with a special emphasis on event organization. 

She was formerly Head Girl of the 1,000 student Brittons Secondary School (Rainham, Essex) where she presided over official functions including awards ceremonies, visits of the school governors and was also involved in general problem solving.

Simon Rostron, Director of Rostron Parry, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with Chelsey whose new, dynamic approach to our client relationships will, I am sure, prove important to the continued development of our 20 year-old company.”

Chelsey herself adds: “I can’t wait to bring new ideas to the table and also learn from the company and its other associates. I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of the financial markets and plan to fulfil all areas of the role I have been offered.  This is a great opportunity.”

OVS CAPITAL LLP ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNER AND TEAM MEMBER

OVS Capital, the European equity focused event driven hedge fund, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nick McEwen as a Partner in its business. In his role at OVS Mr. McEwen will oversee all sales and marketing and will support Sam Morland (Chief Investment Officer) and Andrea Morrall (Chief Operating Officer) in the managing of the business.

Mr. McEwen previously worked at Revere Capital Advisors where he was a Managing Director and established the London office with responsibility for the European sales and marketing effort.

Nick McEwen’s hiring is the second of the year at OVS following Adam Lister’s addition to the investment team. Mr. Lister was previously a Vice President in Citigroup’s UK Investment Banking team and is a CFA charterholder.

Sam Morland, OVS’ founder and CIO said, "We are pleased to make these additions to the team to capitalise on OVS’ early business momentum and to further enhance our investment, business and operational infrastructure. The opportunity for European event driven investing remains compelling."

OVS Capital was launched in October 2010 by Sam Morland who formerly spent 10 years at HBK, the multi-billion dollar Dallas based hedge fund. From 2005 – 2008 Mr. Morland was CEO of the London office and in January 2006 was appointed HBK’s first non-American partner. The OVS investment team includes Adam Tyrrell who previously managed the event driven and relative value books for Henderson’s European and Global Multi-Strategy hedge funds, as well as the enhanced index funds. The investment team also comprises Simon Broch, head trader and a former HBK employee.

The business and operations team includes Andrea Morrall, Chief Operating Officer who beforehand worked at HBK and Adam Davies, an Operations Manager who previously worked at Marble Bar.

For more information on OVS, please contact Catherine Alexander, Rostron Parry, +44 (0)20 7490 8062

Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co. launching new Ucits M&A Fund

Bernheim Dreyfus, the Paris-based investment manager, launched last week a mergers and acquisitions fund regulated under UCITS III rules to meet increased investor demands for more liquid and transparent investments in this sector of market activity. 

The Diva Synergy (Ucits) fund is regulated by the French Financial Authority (Autorité des marchés financiers) and replicates the event-driven Diva Synergy Fund which gained over 27% last year successfully exploiting the increase in M&A activity during 2010.

Amit Shabi, partner at Bernheim Dreyfus, expects the volume of M&A activity will continue to rise through 2011 creating an exceptional range of investment opportunities. ‘M&A picked up momentum in 2010 and continues to grow rapidly. We’re forecasting global deal activity to increase by as much as 40% this year, by comparison to 2010’’.

The Diva Synergy (Ucits) fund started investing in June 1st and has initial committed capital of $10mln. The target is to manage $100mln within 1 year.

Explaining the decision to launch a UCITS product Shabi said, ‘’During the financial crisis it became clear that many hedge funds were not in line with investors’ expectations in terms of liquidity and transparency. The Diva Synergy (Ucits) fund will offer transparency and liquidity as we respond to investor requirements for products which conform with the EU Directive.’’.

Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co.

Paris-based Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co was founded in 2006 as an alternative investment firm focusing on M&A-related strategies, managing an event driven hedge fund – Diva Synergy.

Diva Synergy is managed by Amit Shabi and Lionel Melka.  Lionel Melka has 10 years’ of experience as an M&A advisor for blue chip clients in prestigious banks as Lazards, Calyon and Rothschilds.  He has been involved in more than 20 major transactions totaling more than $50 billion.

Amit Shabi has long experience in asset management and capital markets with Rothschilds, the Man Group and others.

Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange Receives Trading Authorisation

Gold-Futures Contract To Commence Trading on May 18

HONG KONG, 27 April, 2011 – The Hong Kong Mercantile Exchange (“HKMEx”) today announced that it has received authorisation from the Securities and Futures Commission to operate as an automated trading services (“ATS”) provider. Approval has also been given for its trading debut on May 18, 2011.

The ATS authorisation grants HKMEx the right to offer market participants, through its member firms, the use of its state-of-the-art electronic platform to trade commodities.  The Exchange will begin trading with at least 16 members including some of the world’s largest financial institutions and trading firms as well as several well-established brokerages in Hong Kong.

“We are very excited about this historic day. It allows us to establish a liquid and vibrant international commodities exchange based in Hong Kong, linking China with the rest of Asia and the world,” said Barry Cheung, chairman of HKMEx. “Global demand for core commodities has in recent years been driven by Asia, especially China and India.  However, market participants in the region have had to rely on Western exchanges for price discovery, bearing the basis risk exposure in the process.  Our new platform will offer Asia a bigger say in setting global commodity prices.  It will also enable market participants to more actively manage their risk exposures, using products tailored to Asian market needs.”

HKMEx’s broking members at launch include BOCI Securities Ltd, Celestial Commodities Ltd, CES Capital International Co. Ltd, Chief Commodities Ltd, ICBC International Futures Ltd, Interactive Brokers LLC, KGI Futures (Hong Kong) Ltd, MF Global Hong Kong Ltd, Morgan Stanley Hong Kong Securities Ltd, OSK Futures Hong Kong Ltd, Phillip Commodities (HK) Ltd, Tanrich Futures Ltd and TG Securities Ltd.  Its three clearing members are Interactive Brokers (UK) Ltd, MF Global UK Ltd and Morgan Stanley & Co International Plc.

The first product to trade on the Exchange will be a 1-kilo gold futures contract offered in US dollars with physical delivery in Hong Kong.  Trading hours will run between 0800 to 2300 Hong Kong Time, overlapping commodity markets in Europe and the US.  “This helps to promote cross-continent trading and boost liquidity,” said Albert Helmig, president of HKMEx.  “It also offers participants extensive opportunities for hedging, arbitrage and effective risk management.”

In the pipeline are standardised products which will either be physically or financially settled, covering precious and base metals, energy, agriculture and commodity indices. 

HKMEx is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the liberalisation of the renminbi in Hong Kong.  “China’s pilot scheme for the settlement of overseas direct investments in the Chinese currency has not only increased cross-border trade settlement and liquidity, but also created a strong demand for renminbi-denominated investment instruments,” said Mr. Helmig. 

All transactions on HKMEx will be cleared through London-based LCH.Clearnet – a leading independent clearing house serving major international exchanges.

HKMEx has attracted shareholders from around the globe including China’s ICBC and COSCO Group as well as Russia’s En+ Group, among others. 

“We are very fortunate to have such a strong shareholder base in addition to a board of directors who are of the highest calibre in their own fields.  Our management experience, together with cutting-edge technology, market focused products, and Hong Kong’s strategic location and infrastructure will ensure HKMEx a promising future,” said Mr. Cheung.

Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co. partners with the French Foundation for Disabled (APSH 34)

APSH 34 is charitable association which helps the psychiatrically disabled through their rehabilitation and the process of reintegration into society.

For over 30 years APSH 34, together with the Fondation de France and the Montpelier Public Hospital, has also worked to reintegrate the disabled into formal employment (and also to meet their housing needs).   

Amit Shabi, co-founder of Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co, declares : We are very proud to be able to help APSH 34 in its noble mission which also underlines our total commitment to community initiatives.  

Paris-based Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co was founded in 2006 as an alternative investment firm focusingon M&A related strategies, managing an event driven hedge fund – Diva Synergy.