Blake Hiltabrand has been named Global Head of UBS O'Connor, with Bernard (Bernie) Ahkong and Casey Talbot named co-CIOs of the firm's flagship Global Multi-Strategy portfolio. Kevin Russell will step down as Head and CIO of UBS O'Connor and leave the firm at the end of the year.

Kevin Russell will step down as Head and CIO of UBS O'Connor, UBS Asset Management's single manager hedge fund adviser, after a successful 29-year career in the industry, including seven years at UBS. Under Kevin's leadership, the company has expanded its client offering significantly by launching new capabilities in key areas such as private credit, China, and sustainability.

Blake Hiltabrand, Co-Head of Event Driven Strategies and Co-Portfolio Manager of UBS O'Connor's Merger Arbitrage and Event Driven strategies, will take over as Global Head of UBS O'Connor on October 1, 2022, reporting to Barry Gill. He will still be based in Chicago. Blake brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He has been with UBS O'Connor for over 15 years and is a member of the Management Team and Capital Allocation Forum. Prior to joining the firm, he worked on merger arbitrage and event-driven strategies at Deephaven Capital Management, Amaranth Advisors, and Goldman Sachs.

Bernard (Bernie) Ahkong, the head of UBS O'Connor in Europe and Portfolio Manager for the European Long/Short Equity Team, has been named co-CIO of our flagship Global Multi-Strategy portfolio. He will continue to work in London and report to Blake. Bernie returned to the firm in 2016 from BlueCrest Capital, where he had previously worked as a Portfolio Manager from 2006 to 2013. He has also served as a senior member of the UBS O'Connor Capital Allocation Forum for the past six years.

Casey Talbot, who is currently the Global Multi-Strategy portfolio's Head of Credit Strategies, will also take on the additional role of co-CIO for the portfolio alongside Bernie. He will continue to live in Stamford and report to Blake. Casey joined UBS O'Connor from Deutsche Bank in 2013 and has served as a senior member of the UBS O'Connor Capital Allocation Forum for the past nine years.

“Our O’Connor franchise is recognized for its 20-year track-record of innovation and focus on diversifying its fund offering to meet clients' evolving needs. I am confident Blake and the O’Connor leadership team will continue to execute on this proven strategy,“

said Barry Gill, UBS Asset Management’s Head of Investments.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Kevin for his significant contribution to UBS O’Connor over the past seven years and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Source: UBS news