KCG Holdings, Inc. Class A (NYSE:KCG)Â today announced the launch of its risk arbitrage group, a new offering specifically dedicated to providing clients with insight into complex and special situations through expert regulatory and event arbitrage-related analysis.
Greg Tusar, Co-Head of KCG’s Global Execution Services and Platforms commented: “Whether it’s executing a trade, tailoring an algorithmic strategy or evaluating execution quality venue by venue, our clients look to us for market expertise and smart solutions. With the addition of a dedicated risk arbitrage group, we can provide an additive analysis and trading offering to current clients and reach new clients, as well.”
As part of the newly formed team, Eric Laumann has been appointed Head of Risk Arbitrage. The team will include Jason King and veteran event-driven trader Louis Juliano.
Reflecting on his new role, Mr. Laumann said: “In today’s investment environment, clients are constantly looking for deeper analysis of events and their outcomes. A special situation can have a significant impact on a clients’ strategy, portfolio or fund. Managing and optimizing event related risk is critical. Our offering is a fitting complement to the range of services KCG currently provides clients and I am looking forward to leading this exciting new offering.”
Mr. Laumann brings over 20 years of experience in event arbitrage-related services and complex, multi-billion dollar civil litigation to his role at KCG. He joins from Millennium Partners, where he was a risk arbitrage co-portfolio manager. Prior to that, Mr. Laumann held several leadership positions in event arbitrage, including Managing Director and Head of the North American risk arbitrage desk at Credit Suisse, senior member of Bear Stearns’ buy-side/sell-side risk arbitrage desk, and senior analyst on Deephaven Capital Management’s event arbitrage team.
As a litigator, Mr. Laumann held positions at Weil, Gotshal, & Manges, Jenner & Block, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman and Sullivan & Cromwell and clerked for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Laumann holds an A.B. with high honors in economics from the University of Michigan and a J.D. cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Bar in New York and an inactive member of the Bar in Illinois and California.
Mr. King brings over 15 years of experience to his new event arbitrage role at KCG. He joins the team from Cantor Fitzgerald, where he served as Managing Director of the Risk Arbitrage desk. Prior to Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. King was Managing Director and Head of the Securities Risk Arbitrage desk at UBS, and also served in senior management roles on the risk arbitrage desks at JP Morgan and Credit Suisse. He holds a B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from Fordham University.
For the official announcement from KCG, click here.