The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association, an association for credentialed alternative investment professionals, will launch its 12th chapter in Paris on 7 December.

The event is open to CAIA members, candidates and financial professionals in the alternative investment space.

Francois-Serge Lhabitant, chief investment officer of Kedge Capital Fund Management and co-author of the CAIA Level II: Advanced Core Topics in Alternative Investments, will speak at the opening celebration. His presentation is titled "Hedge Funds: from leading edge to bleeding hedge and back."

"We are delighted to close the year with the launch of CAIA France," says E. Craig Asche, executive director of the CAIA Association. "Our decision to establish this chapter is in response to the active CAIA membership in France and the demand for alternative investment education and networking events that strengthen professional contacts, enhance industry knowledge and keep members apprised of new AI developments."

Asche will be at the event, as will Florence Lombard, former chief executive of the Alternative Investment Management Association, and Steve Wallace, director of industry relations – EMEA at the CAIA Association.

CAIA France is the fifth European chapter for the organisation. The others include London, Switzerland, Iberia, and Germany.

There are also chapters in Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, New York, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco.