Dr Mark Mobius, Carlos Hardenberg and Greg Konieczny have launched a new asset management company, Mobius Capital Partners.
Headquartered in London, Mobius Capital Partners will offer a highly specialised active investment approach with an emphasis on improving governance standards in Emerging and Frontier Market corporations, with a measurable impact on social and environmental standards and policies. The firm will be committed to generating long term sustainable returns from portfolio companies that meet the investment criteria.
The firm has been authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and intends to launch a Luxembourg based SICAV open-ended fund, subject to CSSF approval, with initial seed funding from the partners and selected investors.
Mobius Capital Partners has selected UBS as its fund administrator, partnering with UBS Fund Management (Luxembourg) SA. The firm will also incorporate MSCI ESG research into its assessment of companies in Emerging and Frontier Markets.
Dr Mobius says: “I am very excited to be launching Mobius Capital Partners, built on the fundamental aim to invest for good, bringing opportunities to make a real impact in countries where it is needed most. During my career as an emerging markets investor, I have always been a passionate advocate on corporate governance issues. In Carlos and Greg, I have two partners with an enviable legacy and track record. Our combined knowledge and on-the-ground experience in sustainable investing is what sets us apart, and gives us the leading edge in delivering the changes we want to see in Emerging and Frontier Markets.”
Hardenberg adds: “We aim to instil an investment focus that unlocks sustainable, long term value and makes meaningful and measurable improvements to the companies we invest in. We will utilise an active ownership approach to portfolio companies acting as catalysts for ESG improvements. Our strategy will champion governance and will reach beyond simple exclusion screens or norms-based screens.”
Konieczny says: “It is my longstanding view that partnering with a company’s management to focus on improving governance is a major source of positive and sustainable financial returns. Furthermore, this shareholder stewardship also has an impact on public sector policies and increases awareness of proper governance codes. This has been a recurring theme over my career investing in Eastern Europe since the fall of the iron curtain, and in particular over the last seven years engaging with Romanian corporations.”
