ASC Advisors LLC

Thank you Hedge Fund Alert for featuring ASC’s stance on the FCA’s ‘Name and Shame’ proposals. The revised proposal is only marginally better than the original and the threat to publicly "name and shame" when an investigation begins still remains. We encourage investment managers and their advisors to closely monitor how FCA responds as a final rule may be forthcoming. See below for the full section of the article discussing how these proposals endanger firms in the U.K. +++ While the SEC is becoming friendlier toward hedge funds, its U.K. counterpart, the FCA, has unveiled at least one proposal the industry is fighting to reverse. Early last year, the FCA published its Consultation Paper CP24/2, which has been dubbed “name and shame” for its proposal to disclose ongoing investigations of investment operations. Under pressure from industry participants and lawmakers, the FCA followed up with a watered-down version earlier this month. But hedge fund industry groups are unsatisfied with the revisions. “The UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) revised ‘Name and Shame’ proposals pose as much a threat to firms as the original and undermine the UK’s global competitiveness,” AIMA wrote on its website. U.S. public relations firm ASC Advisors warned the U.K. agency in a Feb. 14 letter: “In our conversations with US and other global registrants it is clear that this proposal, as written, will lead to investment managers reconsidering the UK for expansion and make the UK a less desirable location for international managers to locate offices or establish businesses. As one General Counsel recently remarked to us, ‘this is so ill advised we would not even consider establishing a presence in the U.K.’”

ASC Advisors today submitted another letter to the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority, opposing the regulator’s revised "Name and Shame" proposal. If enacted in its current form, the rule, which proposes giving managers 10 days to respond to an FCA inquiry, has the potential to cause catastrophic harm to any investment manager named in an investigation. Should their targets not satisfy this requirement, the FCA intends to go public, announcing the initiation of an investigation. That time frame and approach ignores well established FCA guidelines. We also note that AIMA has submitted a lengthy letter and the U.K. Parliament issued a report opposing the rule:?https://lnkd.in/gfgN8yni Investment managers and their advisors should watch carefully for the final rule and its impact on your U.K. operations going forward.

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new website! At ASC Advisors LLC, we are always evolving as we consistently look to?deliver the highest quality #strategiccommunications solutions to our #alternativeinvestmentmanagement clients. Learn more about our capabilities at?www.ascadvisors.com.

ASC is proud to be recognized as a top IR/PR advisor to activist investors in Bloomberg's FY 2024 Global Activism League Tables.?? As a team working exclusively with investment managers, this ranking reflects our dedication to supporting #activistcampaigns across a range of industries. We look forward to further engagement in 2025. See the full rankings here:?https://lnkd.in/eBKTJ6Ki #shareholderactivism

In ASC Advisors' January 2025 newsletter, we studied several areas that we expect to impact the investment management industry, including the new administration, monetary policy, crypto, M&A and the regulatory environment. Please read the full newsletter and stay tuned as we continue to share our insights on developments in the alternative asset management industry, including our annual media memo which will be released later this month:?https://bit.ly/3ZjFHkS #hedgefunds #privateequity #mergers #regulation #uspolicy

As ASC Advisors kicks off 2025, we are delighted to announce that Kylie Souder has been promoted to Director, effective January 1! Kylie serves as a valued #strategicadvisor to our clients. She joined in 2023, bringing more than six years of #strategiccommunications experience to ASC Advisors. Thank you Kylie for your commitment to excellence and leadership, as well as your continued contributions to the growth and success of our clients and the firm. Please join us in congratulating Kylie!

Wishing you a Happy New Year from all of us at ASC Advisors.

In ASC Advisors' December 2024 newsletter, we highlight some of the causes that are closest to our hearts and which?the firm and our team?have been honored to support over the past year. Read the full newsletter and stay tuned as we continue to share our insights on developments in the alternative asset management industry, including our annual media memo which will be released in January:?https://bit.ly/3ZjFHkS #alternatives #givingback #givingtuesday

Yesterday, ASC team members Steven H. Bruce, R. Taylor Ingraham, Elizabeth Amory and Sophia Craco enjoyed volunteering at the annual Thanksgiving feast at the?Boys & Girls Club of Stamford's Yerwood Center, serving a Thanksgiving meal to over 300 children.? The Yerwood Center serves more than 1,600 children grades K-12, offering programs and services to promote and enhance their development, inspiring confidence and belonging. On behalf of everyone at ASC Advisors, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

#Mentoring works! iMentor celebrated 25 years recently with a gala at the Metropolitan Museum. Congratulations to all those involved in this amazing charity funded by John Griffin. John and his wife Amy have guided iMentor with a vision to promote mentoring in inner city schools across the country and the results are amazing. 35,948 students matched with mentors since 1999, 58% of iMentor students are first generation college students and 74% of iMentor students enroll in college! If you have an interest in mentoring or supporting the good work of #iMentor please reach out. ASC Advisors LLC is proud to support iMentor!