UK/JAPAN – BlueBay, a new European fixed income specialist asset management company has been launched today, with a hedge fund scheduled for launch as its first product early next year.

BlueBay’s funds will be aimed primarily at institutional investors in Europe and Japan who are looking to outsource the management of some or all of their asset allocation to predominantly euro-denominated fixed income credit funds.
US dollar and sterling tranches will, however, be available in certain products.

London based Barclays Group and Shinsei Bank of Japan have both taken a 25% shareholding in the new company, representing the first time that either institution has invested in a third party fund manager.

The remaining 50% is held by BlueBay’s management team led by Hugh Willis and Mark Poole - respectively chief executive and chief investment officer.
Chairman of the new company will be Hans-Joerg Rudloff, who is current chairman of Barclays Capital.

Other products earmarked for launch include an emerging markets bond fund during next spring, with high yield and investment grade bond funds expected to follow soon thereafter.

Barclays Capital and Shinsei Bank will assist in the distribution of the new products in Europe and Japan respectively.