insto - Australian financial markets

The soon to be wholly owned Westpac vehicle, Ascalon Capital Managers has established a boutique hedge fund called Helix Partners. This fund will invest in global equities through a quantitative process developed by partners Brandt Leahy, Justin Webb and Matthew Perone.

Prior to starting up Helix, the three founders worked as an investment team in quantitative strategies at Macquarie Funds Group and separately at large investment firms like Citadel Investment Group and Delaware Investments.

(Westpac announced recently that it will take 100 per cent control of Ascalon after reaching an in-principle agreement to purchase the half share held by Kaplan Equity. This transaction is expected to be completed in October.)