iM Global Partner and the SYZ Group enter into a strategic partnership to develop the OYSTER fund range

Under the agreement, iM Global Partner is expected to acquire SYZ Asset Management - Luxembourg (“SAM Luxembourg”), OYSTER Sicav’s Luxembourg-domiciled management company. SAM Luxembourg has distribution agreements with about 80% of Europe’s open architecture fund distributors and is present in most major European fund markets through a locally based, multilingual sales & marketing team. The acquisition, which remains subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities, is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

The €2 billion AUM OYSTER fund range will continue to be managed by SAM Luxembourg and, subject to regulatory approval, will benefit over time from outstanding fund managers selected by iM Global Partner. This partnership will provide the opportunity to refine and grow the range of high performing strategies offered to existing and new investors.

The evolution of OYSTER will leverage existing local market footprints, while harnessing global opportunities. The sales force, based in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and in the UK, will integrate into iM Global Partner’s International Distribution team, reporting to Jose Castellano, Deputy CEO of iM Global Partner and Head of Distribution (ex US).

“We’re delighted to be working with iM Global Partner to develop OYSTER” said Eric Syz, CEO of the SYZ Group. “More importantly for our private banking clients, this partnership creates a deeper product and service offering while giving them greater choice. The new strategic direction will ensure the continuity of investment excellence, and an enhanced offering for existing investors, and bring the OYSTER brand to a more global audience.”

Through the partnership, Banque SYZ, the private banking arm of the SYZ Group, will enjoy a privileged relationship with a worldwide multi-boutique player that partners with outstanding investment managers with strong growth potential. The partnership offers SYZ Group's clients a combined range of high-quality active strategies. In addition, they will have access to a new range of products, through the iM Global Partner offering.

Philippe Couvrecelle, Founder and CEO of iM Global Partner adds: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Banque SYZ to serve the wholesale and institutional clients of OYSTER and be an important funds provider to their private banking client base. This transaction is a testimony to iM Global Partner’s ambition to be recognized as a world-class multi-boutique investment platform with global distribution capabilities.”

“This partnership will enable us to strengthen our offering and demonstrate the efficiency of our unique model, says Philippe Couvrecelle. We will also accelerate our international sales force development with more local presence offering a complete range of products including some of our existing Partners’ strategies.”

The SYZ Group remains dedicated to active management and creating innovative asset management solutions. This is underlined by the creation of SYZ Capital which is at the forefront in the development of alternative and private market strategies and has CHF 1 billion of Assets Under Management. SYZ Asset Management, the SYZ Group’s CHF 10 billion Swiss Institutional business will not be impacted by OYSTER’s repositioning.

iM Global Partner:
Hottinguer Corporate Finance – Philippe Bonhomme, Romain Guillemin
Sekri Valentin Zerrouk – Géraud de Franclieu
Elvinger Hoss Prussen – Yves Prussen

SYZ Group:
Caurus Advisory Partners – Olivier Coenon, Akram Ben Mustapha
Tavernier Tschanz – Jacques Bonvin

About OYSTER Sicav
OYSTER is a Luxembourg Sicav, offering a range of products covering a variety of asset classes, markets and investment styles. OYSTER Funds, with AuM of €2 billion, are registered in 11 countries and its component funds are managed by internal and external managers from the SYZ Group, selected for their investment expertise.

About SAM Luxembourg
SAM Luxembourg is a Luxembourg-based fund management company subject to article 101 of Chapter 15 of the 2010 Law and holding both UCITS and AIFM licenses. It has distribution agreements with more than 200 counterparties covering around four-fifths of the Europe’s open architecture fund distributors.

About the SYZ Group
Founded in 1996 in Geneva, SYZ is a Swiss banking group experiencing strong growth, focusing exclusively on asset management via two complementary business lines: private banking and asset management. SYZ offers private clients and institutional investors unique investment solutions based on active management in a risk-controlled manner. The Group has substantial equity and enjoys its status as an independent company due to its family shareholding structure.
www.syzgroup.com

About iM Global Partner
iM Global Partner is a global multi-boutique platform with main offices based in Paris, London and Philadelphia. iM Global Partner partners with high talented entrepreneurial asset management companies with the joint objective of accelerating their business growth supported by proprietary sales forces based in Europe and in the US.
iM Global Partner currently has strategic minority investments in six Partners:

Polen Capital: US and global growth equity managers
Dolan McEniry Capital Management: US credit fundamental value manager
Sirios Capital Management: US long short equity manager
Scharf Investments: US value equity manager
Zadig Asset Management: European equity manager
Dynamic Beta investments: Liquid alternative manager

iM Global Partner represents assets under management of $11.7 billion (December 2019) in proportion to its participations in each Partner. Its strategic shareholders include Eurazeo, a leading European private equity investor, Amundi, the largest asset manager in Europe and Dassault/La Maison, a group of leading private shareholders.


Press contact :

IM Global Partner
Steele & Holt, Paris
Laura Barkatz
laura@steeleandholt.com
+ 33 6 58 25 54 14

SYZ Group
Mélanie Svalander
Melanie.svalander@syzgroup.com
+41 58 799 11 69