Key Takeaways
- • Brevan Howard has lost several senior commodities investment professionals over the past year, according to a report by eFinancial Careers, as portfolio managers and strategists moved to rival firms.
- • Former global head of commodities Elycia Sherman, hired from Hartree Partners in November 2023, is understood to have left during 2025, a departure not previously reported publicly.
- • In March 2026, Kobi Platt departed for Bridgewater Associates, Robert Alpen returned to Englehart, and Jeff Nietschmann left for Castleton Commodities International.
- • Sherman's late-2023 hire was reported to be part of a build-out of a dedicated commodities team with an anticipated allocation of around $750m.
Summary
Brevan Howard has experienced several senior departures from its commodities investment business over the past year, as experienced portfolio managers and strategists have moved to rival firms, according to a report by eFinancial Careers. The exits reshape a unit the firm has been working to expand.
Among those who have left is former global head of commodities Elycia Sherman, who joined the hedge fund from Hartree Partners in November 2023. Sherman is understood to have departed during 2025, although her exit had not previously been publicly reported. Her appointment at the time marked a renewed push by Brevan Howard to grow its commodities platform. Reports indicated she had been hired to build a dedicated investment team with an anticipated allocation of around $750m. The move represented another attempt by the firm to strengthen its presence in commodities markets after an earlier trading effort ended more than a decade ago.
A further round of exits took place in March 2026. Kobi Platt left to join Bridgewater Associates, while Switzerland-based natural gas trader Robert Alpen returned to commodities merchant Englehart. In the US, portfolio manager Jeff Nietschmann departed for Castleton Commodities International. All three had joined Brevan Howard after Sherman's arrival: Platt and Alpen were recruited in May 2024, while Nietschmann, who previously worked at Millennium Management, joined in November 2024.
Despite the departures, Brevan Howard continues to operate an active commodities business.
Among those who have left is former global head of commodities Elycia Sherman, who joined the hedge fund from Hartree Partners in November 2023. Sherman is understood to have departed during 2025, although her exit had not previously been publicly reported. Her appointment at the time marked a renewed push by Brevan Howard to grow its commodities platform. Reports indicated she had been hired to build a dedicated investment team with an anticipated allocation of around $750m. The move represented another attempt by the firm to strengthen its presence in commodities markets after an earlier trading effort ended more than a decade ago.
A further round of exits took place in March 2026. Kobi Platt left to join Bridgewater Associates, while Switzerland-based natural gas trader Robert Alpen returned to commodities merchant Englehart. In the US, portfolio manager Jeff Nietschmann departed for Castleton Commodities International. All three had joined Brevan Howard after Sherman's arrival: Platt and Alpen were recruited in May 2024, while Nietschmann, who previously worked at Millennium Management, joined in November 2024.
Despite the departures, Brevan Howard continues to operate an active commodities business.
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