Polar Capital (America) Corporation (Polar Capital), the specialist active asset management group, continues expansion in North America with the appointment of industry veteran Morgan Lee to its business development team, covering the west coast of America, specifically west of the Rockies.
Morgan will be based in California and report to Alastair Barrie, Managing Director for North America, who leads the four-strong team that also includes Adam Schneider and recent hire David Smithwick
He has over 25 years of institutional investment experience, most recently as Vice President and Regional Director for Dimensional Fund Advisors, the $677bn asset management firm. Prior to Dimensional Fund Advisors, Morgan spent 11 years at Wisdom Tree Investments where he covered firms on the west coast of America, including RIAs and family offices.
This strategic hire is part of Polar Capital’s broader strategy to strengthen the firm’s global footprint and enhance client relations and partnerships in North America. The company’s US sales team has grown to meet the increased interest in Polar Capital and its fund range and now comprises:
- Alastair Barrie, Managing Director of Polar Capital North America, joined in June 2019 to lead the company’s business development in the region. He has over 30 years of experience in asset management distribution in both wholesale and institutional markets and supports clients in the North East.
- David Smithwick, Business Development Director, joined earlier this year. Based in Tennessee, he has over 20 years of experience and is responsible for supporting institutional clients and consultants in the South East.
- Adam Schneider, Business Development Director, joined Polar Capital in 2021. Based in Tennessee, he has over 12 years of experience and is responsible for supporting institutional clients and consultants in the Midwest.
- Morgan Lee, Business Development Director, based in California has over 25 years of experience and will support both institutional clients and also RIAs on the west coast and beyond.
Alastair Barrie, managing director, North America said: “Polar Capital’s heritage is based on forming strong relationships with investors and their advisers. We have been hugely successful in delivering differentiated and strongly performing strategies to our clients and have seen increased demand for our existing funds.
“As we build further capabilities in the US, we need experts to work in partnership with our clients to provide the support they need and I am very pleased to welcome Morgan to the team. His extensive knowledge, experience and relationships will help us continue to grow the business and see even more success in the US market.”
Iain Evans, global head of distribution at Polar Capital, said: “We continue to extend our reach in the US, which is a key market for us. This senior appointment reflects the region’s importance to our growth plans and our ongoing commitment to provide our US clients and prospective clients with exceptional service and support.”
Morgan Lee, director, business development, said: “As I step into my new role at Polar Capital, I am looking forward to focussing on helping institutional clients and RIAs. My commitment is to provide them with unparalleled support and innovative investment solutions that cater to their needs. Our goal is to build lasting relationships based on trust and mutual success, ensuring our clients can navigate the complexities of the markets with confidence. Our business has a clear strategic vision and I look forward to working alongside Alastair and his team to help grow the business.”
