Key Takeaways
- • Watson Lau joined Polymer Capital as a portfolio manager in Hong Kong after spending two years at Balyasny managing long/short equities, bringing institutional experience from a seven-year tenure at Point72.
- • Polymer Capital continues aggressive hiring momentum, adding three senior portfolio managers in recent months—Larry Cho (September 2025, ex-Millennium and Xingtai Capital head of research) and Takehiro Yamamoto (July 2025, ex-SMBC asset management chief portfolio manager for ESG equities).
- • The fund is prioritizing Japan expansion with business development specialists being hired in-country to recruit additional portfolio managers, following Reuters reporting in 2025 about plans to launch Japan-focused funds with approximately 30 PMs.
- • Polymer Capital, founded in 2019, is executing a multi-region growth strategy across Hong Kong and Japan while maintaining focus on long/short equities and ESG-oriented strategies.
Summary
Polymer Capital, the Hong Kong-based hedge fund founded in 2019, continues its strategic talent acquisition and geographic expansion. The fund recently hired Watson Lau as a portfolio manager based in Hong Kong, marking the latest addition to its leadership team. Lau arrives from Balyasny Asset Management, where he spent two years managing the firm's long/short equities fund in Hong Kong. His background includes seven years as an investment analyst at Point72, Steve Cohen's hedge fund, positioning him as an experienced operator familiar with large-scale institutional asset management.
This hire represents part of a broader hiring campaign that accelerated through the latter half of 2025. In September, Polymer brought on Larry Cho as a senior portfolio manager. Cho previously served as head of research at Xingtai Capital, another Hong Kong hedge fund, and spent time away from active management following his departure from Millennium at the end of 2024. Additionally, in July 2025, the fund recruited Takehiro Yamamoto, a Tokyo-based portfolio manager who joined from SMBC's asset management division, where he served as chief portfolio manager overseeing its ESG equity long/short fund.
The hiring activity reflects Polymer Capital's ambitions for meaningful expansion, particularly in Japan. According to Reuters reporting from early 2025, the fund planned to launch Japan-focused funds with one initiative involving a team of approximately 30 portfolio managers. That focus remains evident going into 2026, with Polymer actively recruiting business development specialists in Japan to source additional portfolio managers. The combination of hires spanning both Hong Kong and Japan, coupled with sector specialization in long/short equities and ESG strategies, indicates a deliberate effort to build capabilities across multiple Asia-Pacific markets while maintaining institutional-grade talent standards.
This hire represents part of a broader hiring campaign that accelerated through the latter half of 2025. In September, Polymer brought on Larry Cho as a senior portfolio manager. Cho previously served as head of research at Xingtai Capital, another Hong Kong hedge fund, and spent time away from active management following his departure from Millennium at the end of 2024. Additionally, in July 2025, the fund recruited Takehiro Yamamoto, a Tokyo-based portfolio manager who joined from SMBC's asset management division, where he served as chief portfolio manager overseeing its ESG equity long/short fund.
The hiring activity reflects Polymer Capital's ambitions for meaningful expansion, particularly in Japan. According to Reuters reporting from early 2025, the fund planned to launch Japan-focused funds with one initiative involving a team of approximately 30 portfolio managers. That focus remains evident going into 2026, with Polymer actively recruiting business development specialists in Japan to source additional portfolio managers. The combination of hires spanning both Hong Kong and Japan, coupled with sector specialization in long/short equities and ESG strategies, indicates a deliberate effort to build capabilities across multiple Asia-Pacific markets while maintaining institutional-grade talent standards.
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