Rupert Allan Hires Fund Of Hedge Fund Specialist

Established leader in the management of fund of hedge funds, Tremont Capital Management, has appointed Scott R. Metchick as Chief Investment Officer. Metchick brings to Tremont over 20 years of experience in the fund of hedge fund industry and a proven performance record.

Tremont says his demonstrated ability to manage a defined process-oriented investment philosophy while managing a global investment team complements the existing investment approach at Tremont, allowing the firm to deepen its presence in key global institutional and distribution markets.

"Investment excellence is core to our strategy of establishing a scalable, institutional standard multimanager fund of funds business," said Rupert Allan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Scott's appointment represents the execution of the final phase of this strategy by capping a series of senior hires which, together with our existing expertise in the investment management group, completes the leadership team at Tremont."

"The role of the fund of hedge funds is even more important for investors in today's market which makes Tremont's over 20 years of experience and dedication to excellence critical factors in delivering the products and performance that our clients need and deserve," said Metchick. "I'm excited to join the firm and look forward to all that's ahead of us."

Metchick's hire as CIO, replacing Cynthia Nicoll who left Tremont for personal reasons, is the most recent in a succession of senior appointments in the investment team including Andrew Kaneb, former head of Global Equities at Lighthouse Partners, and Jim Purnell, who came from the structured product group at Dresdner Bank to lead the risk management group at Tremont.

Allan has moved quickly within a challenging external environment since becoming CEO last year, adding to his role as President. "Now more than ever," said Allan, "clients want to know that they are working with an investment manager that has the experience, the infrastructure and the ability to deliver on a mandate in various market conditions with the products and solutions they need. We now have the team in place to do just that."

AFS Launches Alternative Trading Feature

Archer Financial Services (AFS), has launched Balarie Capital Management ("BCM"), a division of AFS created with the specific purpose of helping Institutional and High Net Worth investors achieve diversification by providing them with products and services that are typically non-correlated with their traditional investment portfolios.

AFS, an Introducing Broker, is wholly owned by ADM Investor Services, Inc. The brokerage also announced the appointment of Emanuel Balarie as managing director of the division.

"Mr. Balarie brings on board industry expertise in both the commodities and managed futures arena" said Kurt Johnson, President of AFS. "The combination of his experience, BCM's consultative approach to managed futures investments, access to hundreds of Commodity Trading Advisors all over the globe, and the financial integrity and operational structure of ADMIS will allow us to provide investors with a wide array of products and services."

Emanuel Balarie added, "While the asset flow in the managed futures sector has increased significantly over the last several years, we still feel that there is a need for a firm that is able to provide a consultative approach to managed futures portfolios. The goal is not to recommend cookie-cutter type portfolios for every investor, but to look at the investor's individual profile and portfolio to determine the specific allocation that is most appropriate for the investor. This approach is especially attractive to institutions and investors that have to meet specific portfolio requirements."

BCM works with high-net worth investors, family offices, pensions, and endowment funds who are interested in adding managed futures to their investment portfolios. In addition, Balarie, through its affiliation with ADMIS, offers clearing and execution services for Commodity Trading Advisors, Fund of Funds, and professional traders.