Enhances customer service in secondary hedge fund, private equity and real estate markets

Gottex Brokers Alternative S.A. (“GBA”), a broker in the secondary markets for alternative investments, has announced that it is strengthening its US operations by opening an office in New York through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gottex Brokers Alternative USA, Inc. (“GBAUSA”).

The expansion to New York is the result of demand for GBA’s services on the East Coast, where most market participants are located. Together with its existing Los Angeles base, the new office will enable GBA to better serve its American clients, providing the markets with much-needed liquidity.

Raphaël Moreno, CEO of Gottex Brokers, parent company of GBA, and Chairman and CEO of GBA Lausanne says: “Since the crisis of 2008, the secondary markets have become powerful sources of liquidity for hedge funds, private equity investment funds and real estate funds. Our move to New York puts us in a position of enormous strength, with our unrivalled operations in Europe now matched with a solid and growing on-the-ground presence in the US.”

He continues: “The secondary hedge fund market remains very active; there is currently a lot of interest more than five years after the crisis. We believe that the growth in secondary markets for illiquid assets is a long-term trend. Private equity is set to become a key area of interest, and because of this we have ensured that we have the people and infrastructure in place to support our clients moving forward.”

Michael Smith, previously a Managing Director at UBP Asset Management joined the GBAUSA New York office on February 3^rd. At UBP Asset Management, Mike was a senior portfolio manager responsible for the day to day management of UBP commingled FoHF products. He will report to Bruno Bardavid, CEO of Gottex Brokers Alternatives USA Inc. in Los Angeles. Joe Chung will oversee the compliance duties of the New York office and will continue his role as GBAUSA’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Bruno Bardavid says: “Gottex Brokers S.A. has nearly 30 years’ experience in navigating illiquid markets on behalf of its institutional clients. The firm’s dedicated and experienced team delivers a tailor-made service; a fundamental part of our customer culture. GBAUSA’s New York office will offer the same superior quality of service that GBA’s clients have rightly come to expect, and will continue to source and develop the right investment opportunities for all parties.”

Established in 2009, GBA is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. Its US subsidiary, Gottex Brokers Alternatives USA Inc., is a registered broker/dealer and member FINRA/SIPC where it serves a variety of institutional clients looking to either buy or sell alternative investments. These clients include private and investment banks, insurance companies, pension funds, third-party asset managers, investment funds and family offices.