Cayman Islands & Hedge Funds

Filed in archive Hedgetalk on March 27, 2007

Approximately 80% of the world's hedge funds are believed to be domiciled in the Cayman Islands. As a result, Cayman Islands hedge fund companies and service providers, such as law firms, accounting firms, and administrators, are employing innovative recruiting techniques to attract and retain professionals.

Some representatives from Cayman-based firms, such as Maples and Calder, KPMG, and Walkers, are talking from their own experience about the new topics on the Cayman agenda, such as onshore vs. offshore employment, how working in offshore financial centers seem to be a preferred career move for hedge fund professionals.

Incentives such as weather and lifestyle are attracting employees to the Caymans, a sophisticated work and family support system encourages them to stay. There have also been recent programs set up by the Cayman private sector firms, aimed at employing local citizens to work in the financial sector.

Hedge funds returned some 13% in 2006, compared with the 15.8% return of the S&P 500 Index, according to industry tracker Hedge Fund Research, Inc. of Chicago.

Email me or leave a comment if you want more info on contacting these people, the hedge funds listed above have offered to speak or give advice on moving to the Caymans.