Cambridge Associates looks to help investors tap into Asia’s growing potential for building wealth - South China Morning Post

Cambridge Associates, the Boston-headquartered global investment firm, is positioning its Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) and discretionary portfolio management services as a growing offering for investors in Asia, according to a South China Morning Post sponsored feature. The firm, which offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management and alternative asset mandates for private clients, endowments, foundations, pension funds and other sophisticated investors, says it has more than 50 years of experience handling institutional and family office investments.

CEO David Druley said demand for OCIO services is rising from investors globally and in Asia. He described the model as a way for asset owners to delegate investment decision-making while drawing on the firm's team, which he said includes close to 300 senior investment professionals with an average of almost 20 years of experience. Portfolios are built as separately managed accounts, so clients own the underlying investments and their relationships with the managers the firm selects. Druley contrasted this with multi-client pooled products, which can limit customisation and force limited partners to liquidate holdings when changing investment partners. The firm reports an average client retention rate of 96 per cent over the past five years.

Druley said Asian family offices are increasingly institutionalising, either through OCIO relationships or by working with the firm to implement portfolios internally. He said these clients typically seek global diversification to mitigate country risk, and that more sophisticated family offices are investing in private equity, venture capital and hedge funds, an area where he argued experienced professional talent is critical. He cited the region's economic strength, generational wealth transfer, emerging market diversity and growing interest in responsible and impact investing as reasons for optimism.

Cambridge Associates opened its Hong Kong office in 2021, expanding alongside its Beijing and Singapore operations. Druley plans to visit Singapore, India and Hong Kong to meet clients, prospects and industry leaders. The article is a company-sponsored feature and does not include independent verification of the firm's performance or client figures.