Frankfurt-based asset manager, Lupus Alpha, is stepping up its plans to develop its benchmark-free absolute return strategies.PARA_BREAK_SENTINEL_9f8e7d6c

Frankfurt-based asset manager, Lupus Alpha, is stepping up its plans to develop its benchmark-free absolute return strategies. It aims to increase the size of its absolute return team from 15 to 21 over the coming months and has just appointed risk management expert Alexander Raviol to head up the business division. He takes over from derivative specialist Ulf Becker. The firm currently manages EUR5.6billion in absolute return strategies. Managing partner, Ralf Lochmüller (pictured), said that the absolute return division had a “strong and sustainable strategic significance for us”. “Besides the planned increase in manpower, we will launch another volatility strategy in the course of the year,” added Lochmüller. It is believed that Becker, who also ran the firm’s “Talent Hotel” - a hedge fund seeding business – will leave the firm by the end of September to pursue “new personal as well as professional goals” according to the firm’s official press release. Raviol took charge of the investment team at the start of the month. Prior to this he was head of product development in Lupus Alpha’s absolute return division and also headed up quality and risk management.