Mark Anson’s Top Ten Hedge Fund Quotes

Mark Anson is unusual in having held the top job in a major institutional investor on both sides of the Atlantic. He was Chief Executive Officer of Hermes Pensions Management Ltd., where he was also the Chief Executive Officer of the British Telecom Pension Scheme, the largest pension fund in the United Kingdom.  Prior to joining Hermes, He served as the Chief Investment Officer of the California Public Employees' Retirement System, the largest pension fund in the United States. More recently he joined Oak Hill Investment Management, the firm which grew out of Robert Bass's family office, as a Managing Partner and Chair of the Investment Committee.

Over the course of his career he has listened attentively to many pitches by hedge fund managers, and his notes enabled him to compile in 2007 his "Top Ten Quotations from Hedge Fund Managers" which appeared in print this year*. Enjoy.


10. "If we don't charge 2 and 20, no one will take us seriously."

9. "We are 75% cash because we cannot find sufficient investments."

8. "We charge 3 and 30 because that is the only way we can keep our assets under several billion."

7. "We don't invest in crowded shorts."

6. "I haven't shorted before, but I do have my CFA."

5. "Managed Futures are a better investment than Hedge Funds because Hedge Funds are a zero sum game."

4. "What's a Master Trust?"

3. "Your Head of Equity doesn't understand our Hedge Fund strategy."

2. "Basically, I look at the trading screens all day and go with my gut."

1. "He will be with you in a minute sir, he's still meeting with his architect."



*Top Hedge Fund Investors: Stories, Strategies, and Advice (Wiley Finance)