Rainer-Marc Frey
Rainer-Marc Frey | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 10, 1963 Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor |
| Known for | RMF Investment Group, Horizon21, board memberships at UBS, DKSH, Siegfried Holding AG, Lonrho Holdings Ltd |
Rainer-Marc Frey (born January 10, 1963) is a Swiss entrepreneur and investor engaged in the financial services industry within Switzerland as well as the global hedge fund market.
Career
Originating from the Swiss canton of Basel-Landschaft, Frey completed his economics degree with highest honors (lic. oec. HSG) at the University of St. Gallen in 1986. He launched his professional journey at American investment banks Merrill Lynch and Salomon Brothers, where he played a key role in establishing new trading divisions in Zürich and Frankfurt. In 1992, he co-established the RMF Investment Group hedge fund headquartered in Zug.
RMF Investment Group
The RMF Investment Group concentrated on achieving superior returns while minimizing risk through sophisticated hedging techniques. Although initially met with skepticism in Switzerland, RMF succeeded in generating profits even during stagnant or declining market phases by trading Japanese warrants and convertible bonds. The firm successfully navigated significant challenges such as the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the collapse of the dot-com bubble, attracting institutional investors like LGT Group, Swiss Life, and Credit Suisse. By 2002, RMF ranked among Europe's foremost alternative asset managers, overseeing assets totaling USD 8.5 billion.
In 2002, RMF was acquired by Man Group plc for around CHF 1.35 billion, elevating Man Group to the largest hedge fund investment provider worldwide. As part of this transaction, RMF’s management team of twelve agreed to remain with the combined entity for a three-year period.
Horizon21
Following the sale of his RMF shares, Frey realized approximately CHF 500 million. In 2004, together with his partners, he founded Horizon 21 AG, an investment company focused on alternative asset classes, based in Pfäffikon, Schwyz.
In September 2005, Swiss Re entered as a strategic investor by acquiring a 20% interest in Horizon21’s Alternative Investments division. The collaboration expanded in 2006 into private equity fund of funds activities. Horizon21 assumed control of Swiss Re’s private equity operations, while Swiss Re took a 30% stake in Horizon21 Private Equity Holding.
Managing the founders’ and partners’ wealth has remained a core mission since Horizon21’s inception. After a strategic realignment in 2010, the firm transformed into a private investment office dedicated to customized investment strategies for its founders and partners.
Investments
After departing RMF, Frey has applied his entrepreneurial skills as a private investor and majority shareholder across various industrial ventures.
In October 2008, during UBS’s period of difficulty, Frey joined its Board of Directors, contributing his expertise in financial services. He was active on the Risk and Audit Committees and later served on Human Resources and Compensation Committees. He decided not to seek reappointment in April 2014 to pursue other professional interests.
Since 2008, Frey has been a board member at DKSH, participating on both Audit and Strategy Committees. DKSH is a prominent market expansion services provider based in Zürich, with extensive connections throughout Asia Pacific. Frey owns a 3.9% shareholding.
Beginning in 2010, he has held an 8.67% ownership stake in Siegfried Holding AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company located in Zofingen.
Since 2013, Frey has been the principal shareholder and Vice-Chairman of Lonrho Holdings Ltd, a diversified conglomerate operating primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. Alongside Swiss industrialist Thomas Schmidheiny, he spearheaded a CHF 270 million acquisition bid completed in July 2013 to take Lonrho private.
Philanthropy
Frey holds the position of Vice-President at the Frey Charitable Foundation (FCF), which was founded in 2004. The foundation is dedicated to empowering exceptional social entrepreneurs throughout Africa, focusing on sectors that drive meaningful and sustainable development.
Beyond his entrepreneurial activities, Frey is also qualified as a licensed pilot.