Octopus has hired Thierry Serero to spearhead its fund management of European assets. Octopus plans to launch a European Absolute Return Fund in late spring, adding to its suite of Absolute Return solutions which includes the CF UK Equity Absolute Return Fund and the IM Octopus Alternative Strategies Fund.

Thierry joins Octopus with over 20 years’ experience in fund management having worked at some of the leading fund management companies in Europe, including Fidelity Investments and New Star Investments.

Thierry has been working with Lothar Mentel, Chief Investment Officer at Octopus, over the last couple of months, on planning and structuring the new fund. The fund’s investment strategy will aim to achieve a positive absolute return for investors in all market conditions through investment in European equities, equity-related securities and derivatives. Drawing on his dual experience from the retail and hedge fund worlds, Thierry intends to employ a long/short strategy in order to deliver superior returns to retail investors.

Thierry Serero commented: “I am very pleased to have joined the Absolute Return team at Octopus. The move from a pure hedge fund environment to the retail absolute return space is a perfect fit for my experience and skills. Octopus has developed a first class fund management reputation and I am looking forward to working with Lothar and the team to build a market-leading European absolute return fund within this fast growing business.”

Simon Rogerson, CEO of Octopus, said: “At Octopus we have always been proud of really listening to our investors and understanding what they are looking for in today’s changing and challenging market. They want exposure to the returns that they have seen institutions benefiting from for a long time in the hedge fund world. As a leading investment company focused on customer service, we believe Octopus is ideally positioned to deliver these solutions. We are delighted that Thierry has joined us in the Absolute Return team.”