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Euro crisis, current "German-Bashing" back and forth. "THE ECONOMIST" also has a split judgment about Germany. In contrast, there are presently various opinions of investors who consider Germany as a form of "Big Switzerland". Technology, renewables and a slow developing branding of Germany is an optimal "safe haven" in Europe, which are often discussed in Frankfurt. Whether corresponding with foreign family offices or at events of foreign embassies & consulates and chambers of commerce and industry: The location Germany, with all their strength and flaws, awakens still great interest internationally. Developments as well in the asset management industry appear to be reassuring. Can Germany still be interesting for international investors ? From June 24, 2013 until June 27, 2013, the industry-wide, well-known conference FundForum International takes place in Monaco. The independent industry expert Markus Hill will lead a panel discussion of German-speaking fund selectors on the topic of fund boutiques. The editor in chief Frank Schnattinger from IPE Institutional Investment has discussed with him the current situation of German fund industry. Markus Hill (MSc in Economics) is an independent asset management consultant based in Frankfurt, Germany Professional experience includes SEB Bank and Credit Suisse Asset Management. In addition, he worked as head of sales and PR for a German fund boutique. Since 2005 he specialized in the management of mandates, sales, marketing, and PR (consulting, "introducing"). Markus is also involved in selecting themes in the specialist areas of target funds with a multi-management aspect, fund boutiques and mutual funds for institutional investors (product scouting, fund selection). Furthermore he is actively engaged in cooperation with the market-leading Private Label Funds/Master KAG in Germany (Universal-Investment) promoting the idea of independent asset management and was the Co-Initiator of the first all-German Consultant survey in 2005 and the first "UCITS-survey" in 2003. Market entry into Germany, behavior of fund selectors and fund providers in German asset management industry are often discussed by him, e.g. in his asset-management-publication MH-Focus. Through many articles, columns and presentations (national and international) he has become a highly recognized expert in the German asset management industry. "Industry multiplier" is a term often used by journalists and clients to describe his style and personality. (Markus Hill/ MH Services assigned in the role of Media Partner for: UCITS Alternatives Conference in Zürich, September 2011)
Citation preview
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„As a fund industry location and with its interesting investors,
Germany is attractive to foreigners!”
IPE Institutional Investment, www.institutional-investment.de, Germany,
Interview / UV
From June 24, 2013 until June 27, 2013, the industry-wide, well-known conference FundForum International
takes place in Monaco. The independent industry expert Markus Hill will lead a panel discussion of German-
speaking fund selectors on the topic of fund boutiques. The editor in chief Frank Schnattinger from IPE
Institutional Investment has discussed with him the current situation of German fund industry.
IPE Institutional Investment: Mr. Hill, what topics will you discuss at your panel in Monaco?
Hill: For a start, we will briefly outline the situation in Germany, including market growth and current trends
in terms of fund boutiques and private label funds. In addition, we will discuss topics such as selection
criteria and strengths and weaknesses of independent asset managers. The situation in Germany will also be
debated. For example, how interesting are German fund boutiques? How attractive are foreign fund
boutiques? What actions can a foreign manager take to stir the interest of German fund selectors?
A need for further discussion also seems to exist in regard to fund or manager research. Based on different
talks with German family offices, one idea appears to be an increase in international networking efforts. This
topic actually arose again during a phone conversation with a family office this past week. How can a British
or American family office assist a German family office in its selection of British and American boutique
managers? Obviously, this is not a one-way street. In fact, it invites one to draw conclusions based on the
cooperation ideas of other investor groups: What may German fund selectors learn from foreign investors?
IPE Institutional Investment: You will talk to fund selectors. What role does the area of asset manager or
product provider play at your panel?
Hill: At the FundForum International, you will find international representatives of the industry. Next to
investors, this also means numerous subject matter experts from areas such as marketing, sales, and business
development. Many of these experts now view Germany more and more through “pink” glasses—Next to
Luxembourg, Germany as a “hub” within Europe is becoming an increasingly attractive place for market
entry. Despite Europe bashings and Asia hypes, some foreigners seem inclined to view Germany as “Great
Switzerland”; however, as Frankfurt native, I am obviously biased on this matter. The location is attractive,
positioned centrally, and offers an excellent infrastructure for the fund industry. Many German investment
companies also have affiliations in Luxembourg. Fund launches in combination to direct sales support within
the German-speaking area can be an option. In general, in contrast to London, investment companies from
Germany and Luxembourg do profit from their central location. Firms like Universal Investment, IP
Concept, Hauck & Aufhäuser, and others will optimize their business approach to fund launches and sales
support. This trend started to develop a while ago.
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IPE Institutional Investment: In what do you see the value of conferences? What are realistic expectations
for this sort of event?
Hill: I believe the primary value is in the exchange of ideas. Although, it does depend on the event’s
format—there are renowned conference formats such as Monaco and conventions in Germany. Yet, other
formats that specifically focus on investors also exist. Whenever I examine products and managers for a
client, I do notice a difference in the atmosphere at these events, completely unbiased. Formats such as
business breakfasts, similar to IPE Institutional Investment, or events of asset managers for investors and
consultants frequently seem limited in terms of topic. One or the other visitor appreciates this—like you have
said before, it depends on one’s expectations. If one does not expect the “quick ticket” at conferences and
investor events, the exchange of ideas can certainly widen one’s horizon.
IPE Institutional Investment: Many thanks for your brief “Germany Appeal,” including your bias of
course. Good luck for your panel, and for the one in Frankfurt as well.
For additional information about the event visit the following link:
http://de.slideshare.net/MarkusHill/fund-forummonacopanelinputideas10062013
Feedback, additional thoughts, experience or any kind of dialogue on such context is most welcome; please
contact [email protected] or Mary Daute (Asst. Manager). Phone: + 49 17 66 33 66 094
Markus Hill
Markus Hill (MSc in Economics) is an independent asset management consultant based in Frankfurt, Germany
Professional experience includes SEB Bank and Credit Suisse Asset Management. In addition, he worked as head of
sales and PR for a German fund boutique. Since 2005 he specialized in the management of mandates, sales, marketing,
and PR (consulting, "introducing"). Markus is also involved in selecting themes in the specialist areas of target funds
with a multi-management aspect, fund boutiques and mutual funds for institutional investors (product scouting, fund
selection). Furthermore he is actively engaged in cooperation with the market-leading Private Label Funds/Master KAG
in Germany (Universal-Investment) promoting the idea of independent asset management and was the Co-Initiator of
the first all-German Consultant survey in 2005 and the first "UCITS-survey" in 2003. Market entry into Germany,
behavior of fund selectors and fund providers in German asset management industry are often discussed by him, e.g. in
his asset-management-publication MH-Focus. Through many articles, columns and presentations (national and
international) he has become a highly recognized expert in the German asset management industry. "Industry
multiplier" is a term often used by journalists and clients to describe his style and personality. (Markus Hill/ MH
Services assigned in the role of Media Partner for: UCITS Alternatives Conference in Zürich, September 2011)
Markus Hill MH Services
email: [email protected]
website: www.markus-hill.com
phone: 0049 (0) 69 280 714 mobile: 0049 (0) 163 4616 179
