Key Takeaways
- • Shiprock Capital Management, a London-based distressed and special situations credit fund, is launching a new hedge fund in 2026 to expand its debt trading capabilities, according to Bloomberg reporting.
- • The firm has hired Alex Williamson, former head of emerging market debt at Deutsche Bank, as a key addition to drive the new fund's strategy and investment focus.
- • Shiprock Capital achieved 24% gains in the year to August, backed by successful trades in emerging markets including distressed debt positions in Venezuela, Argentina, and Ukraine.
- • The fund manages assets across distressed credit and special situations, having grown from inception in early 2023 with an investment team of five staff members based on Portman Street in London.
- • Shiprock has received sufficient investor demand to close new capital inflows, indicating strong institutional appetite for its emerging market debt positioning and track record.
Summary
Shiprock Capital Management is positioning itself for expansion through the planned 2026 launch of a new hedge fund focused on enhancing its debt trading capabilities. The London-based firm, which specializes in distressed and special situations credit strategies, has moved to strengthen its investment team by recruiting Alex Williamson from Deutsche Bank, where he held the role of head of emerging market debt. This hire signals the firm's commitment to deepening its expertise in emerging market-focused credit strategies.
The firm's recent performance demonstrates strong investor confidence in its approach. Shiprock Capital generated 24% returns in the year to August, driven by successful positions in emerging market distressed debt across Venezuela, Argentina, and Ukraine. This performance has attracted sufficient institutional capital that the fund has begun turning away new investors, reflecting both successful track record execution and capacity constraints.
Founded in early 2023, Shiprock operates with a lean five-person investment team from its London headquarters on Portman Street. The upcoming fund launch represents a strategic expansion of the platform's capabilities rather than a pivot from its core strategy. By recruiting Deutsche Bank's former emerging market debt head, Shiprock is betting that specialized expertise in this asset class will drive returns in the new vehicle while capitalizing on the institutional demand it has already demonstrated through its flagship fund's performance.
The firm's recent performance demonstrates strong investor confidence in its approach. Shiprock Capital generated 24% returns in the year to August, driven by successful positions in emerging market distressed debt across Venezuela, Argentina, and Ukraine. This performance has attracted sufficient institutional capital that the fund has begun turning away new investors, reflecting both successful track record execution and capacity constraints.
Founded in early 2023, Shiprock operates with a lean five-person investment team from its London headquarters on Portman Street. The upcoming fund launch represents a strategic expansion of the platform's capabilities rather than a pivot from its core strategy. By recruiting Deutsche Bank's former emerging market debt head, Shiprock is betting that specialized expertise in this asset class will drive returns in the new vehicle while capitalizing on the institutional demand it has already demonstrated through its flagship fund's performance.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.