West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) – Emergent Asset Management launched the African Agricultural Land Fund in August 2008, with a second closing to take place in September 2008.

The fund has raised almost €2 billion already ($2.9 billion), and wants to raise a total of €3 billion and is canvassing a range of investors. Minimum investment size is €500,000 for private investors and €5m for institutional investors.

The African Land Fund will offer investors the opportunity to participate in the growing Sub-Saharan agricultural sector.  It will apply modern management disciplines and introduce improved farmland techniques to increase crop yields and investment returns.

Initially, the investment focus will be in South Africa. The portfolio will be expanded within Africa to include (but not limited to) countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland and the DRC.

Emergent has partnered with Grainvest, a firm of professional agricultural traders and one of the top five participants on the South African Securities Exchange, involved in agriculture locally, including farming, manufacturing, and transport and trading.
 
The Fund’s targeted return is 25% pa and will be denominated in Euros.

The Fund qualifies as a socially responsible Investment in keeping with the co-managers’ investment philosophy, endeavouring to make a positive contribution to the well-being of the local community.

Alex Akesson

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Email: alex@hedgeco.net

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Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: alex@hedgeco.net

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West Palm Beach (HedgeCo.net) – 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.

"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."

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."

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."

Alex Akesson

Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: alex@hedgeco.net

HedgeCo.Net is a premier hedge fund database and community for qualified and accredited investors only. Membership on www.hedgeco.net is FREE and EASY. We also offer FREE LISTINGS for Hedge Funds!

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