Quantitative Macro Strategy

Conquest Quantitative Macro (“CQM”) is a systematic absolute return strategy

Designed as an “all-weather” offering, Conquest Quantitative Macro seeks to capture independent alpha from short-term trading opportunities regardless of the risk environment in both “risk-seeking” and “risk-averse” regimes. The strategy employs 4 sub-strategies and over 100 different quantitative trading models using a dynamic risk allocation based on the Conquest Risk Aversion Index. It provides geographic and asset class diversification by trading in over 30 liquid global futures markets including currencies, equity indices, commodities and fixed income with no correlation to traditional portfolios, hedge fund portfolios, and CTA portfolios.

The Conquest Quantitative Macro (“CQM”) returns from May 1999 through December 2009 are the actual returns of the Conquest Macro Strategy. From January 2010 through August 2022, the CQM returns reflect a carve out of the systematic portion of the Conquest Macro Strategy and are presented to provide a contiguous track record for informational purposes only. The CQM returns from September 2022 to the present are the actual net results of the CQM strategy. Investor capital was deployed in all months, other than in the period from July 2019 through August 2022.

Management Team

Marc H. Malek

Co-Founder & Portfolio Manager

Mr. Malek founded Conquest and began his role as Portfolio Manager in 1999 after departing UBS as the Global Head of FX and Derivatives Proprietary trading in Europe and the Americas. While at UBS, Mr. Malek held a number of senior positions. He was initially hired in 1995 to start and run their global group in exotic derivatives in Foreign exchange. Prior to his tenure at UBS he worked at a hedge fund trading currency options and developing proprietary trading models. Mr. Malek began his career in 1992 at Salomon Brothers in New York as a Financial Analyst in the Financial Strategy Group. Mr. Malek received a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Engineering and Applied Science from the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”), and received a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Reed College. Mr. Malek’s research has been published extensively in academic journals and books including Risk Books and The Journal of Alternative Investments. | marcmalek.com

Spyridon Papadopoulos

Co-Founder of Conquest Macro EMEAA & Co-Managing Partner

Nearly 30 years of financial experience starting in bulge banks Citi and SocGen with deep quant, market and management expertise. Founder and Chairman of Synthesis Trade and Commodity Finance, the first P2P marketplace lending fund. Most recently founder and CEO of SynCap Partners and Conquest Asset Management EMEA focused on quantitative macro trading, storing gold, co-investing with VC Funds that his firm originates and expertise in structured products for distribution to institutional and private clients.

Jason Ruspini

Portfolio Manager

Mr. Ruspini joined Conquest in 2003. Prior to joining Conquest, Mr. Ruspini worked as a Quantitative Analyst and Floor Trader on the NYMEX under Mark Fisher, at which time he began developing systematic strategies. From 1999 – 2002, Mr. Ruspini worked at Goldman Sachs where he served as a senior analyst in firm-wide and fixed-income technology for over three years. Mr. Ruspini began his career at an internet startup company. Mr. Ruspini received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Michael Gonzalez

Director, Trading

Mr. Gonzalez joined Conquest in 2003. Prior to joining Conquest Mr. Gonzalez was a Senior FX Currency Options trader at Bayerische Hypovereinsbank of NY. From 1988 – 1997 Mr. Gonzalez worked at Banker’s Trust. Over the course of 9 years, Mr. Gonzalez held various trading positions at the firm, finishing his tenure as a Currency Options dealer in the FX Derivatives group. Mr. Gonzalez began his career as an assistant in the Sovereign Bonds Trading Group. Mr. Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from The City College of NY.

Tambe Barsbay

Senior Quantitative Analyst & Developer, Research

Mr. Barsbay joined Conquest in 2008. Prior to joining Conquest, Mr. Barsbay was a Quantitative Analyst with Fortigent. Mr. Barsbay received a Master of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Harold Feder

Chief Financial Officer & Compliance Officer

Mr. Feder joined Conquest in 2004. Prior to joining Conquest, Mr. Feder worked in public accounting for seven years, most recently as an audit manager at Grant Thornton’s Financial Services Industry Group. While at Grant Thornton, Mr. Feder was in charge of auditing various hedge funds, private equity partnerships and broker dealers. He was also an instructor in Grant Thornton’s Continuing Professional Education Center where he gave courses on Audit Planning and on Auditing Broker-Dealers. Mr. Feder has also worked as an accountant at Tudor Investment Corp. Mr. Feder is licensed as a CPA in New York State. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the NYS Society of Certified Public Accountants where he has served on the Stock Brokerage committee. Mr. Feder received a Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude, in Accounting from Touro University.

George Cotsikis

Managing Partner, CIO

Started professional career in finance over 30 years ago with UBS and Salomon Brothers as EQD Trader. Quant and CIO portfolio management and hedge fund experience with Citi, MAN Investments, Integral Capital Management. Recognized blockchain and digital assets expert, as company founder, CEO and strategic advisor and board member to numerous companies around the world. Currently CEO at Mentat Technologies and continues to trade commodities and alternative assets. Higher education at MIT, Imperial College and University of Cambridge.

Mikkel Thorup

Managing Partner, Co-CIO

Investment professional with more than 30 years of experience first as trader with Credit Suisse and Smith Barney. CIO and strategic advisor to numerous asset management companies including Capricorn and CTA Strats for the past 25+ years as founder and CIO and is recognized the expert in his field winning awards as Best Nordic, Best Danish CTA and Investor’s Choice Award for Best Emerging CTA.

Management Team

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Spyridon Papadopoulos

CEO - Managing Partner / Nearly 30 years of financial experience starting in bulge banks Citi and SocGen with deep quant, market and management expertise. Founder and Chairman of Synthesis Trade and Commodity Finance, the first P2P marketplace lending fund. Most recently founder and CEO of SynCap Partners and Conquest Asset Management EMEA, focusing on gold backed income generating transactions, quantitative macro trading, and issuance of structured products for distribution to institutional and private clients.

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James G. Exarchou

Co-CEO – Managing Partner / With a track record of success in various industries, James is known for his ability to analyze complex issues and develop innovative solutions. His hands-on approach and proactive management style have consistently delivered results, making him a trusted advisor to senior leadership teams. James is a strategic thinker who is always looking for ways to drive performance and profitability. His strong communication skills and ability to build relationships have allowed him to effectively lead teams and achieve objectives. Overall, James is a highly skilled and experienced professional who is committed to driving success for his organization. With a proven track record of delivering results and a focus on continuous improvement, he is well-equipped to lead his team to new heights of success.

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George Cotsikis

Risk Management – Managing Partner / Started professional career in finance over 30 years ago with UBS and Salomon Brothers as EQD Trader. Quant and CIO portfolio management and hedge fund experience with Citi, MAN Investments, Integral Capital Management. Recognized blockchain and digital assets expert, as company founder, CEO and strategic advisor and board member to numerous companies around the world. Currently CEO at Mentat Technologies and continues to trade commodities and alternative assets. Higher education at MIT, Imperial College and University of Cambridge.

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Mikkel Thorup

Managing Partner, CIO / Investment professional with more than 30 years of experience first as trader with Credit Suisse and Smith Barney. CIO and strategic advisor to numerous asset management companies including Capricorn and CTA Strats for the past 25+ years as founder and CIO and is recognized the expert in his field winning awards as Best Nordic, Best Danish CTA and Investor's Choice Award for Best Emerging CTA.

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Alexander Kalis

Managing Partner / Began his professional career over 25 years ago as investment research specialist and portfolio manager with UBS, Edmond de Rothschild Asset Management and Banco Santander. Founder, Partner and COO of numerous international investment companies with specific focus on impact investing, sustainability, and climate change.

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Lord Keith Michael Will

Managing Partner / Over 30 years of financial experience with large multinational corporates such as Honeywell, Halliburton, and most recently as Senior Partner with Caledonian Global Investments, Caledonian Real Estate and Caledonian Global Group including management responsibility for Caledonian Global Advisory. Recognized as a change leader and highly successful executive with start-ups, turnaround projects, business strategy and operational implementation.

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Stephen Bates

Managing Partner / Highly trained and respected 40+ years industry professional in the UK dedicating the last decade as Managing Director of Wren and Fraser UK to shake up and develop a unique funeral bond solution to better serve the ageing market segment. Product solution specialist and deep market contacts in the UK market for a variety of investment solutions.

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Cihan Cicek

Independent Director / MSc, LLM, RB, with more than 20 years of experience in the Netherlands as Tax Advisor, Tax Lawyer, Managing Partner at Tax Advice B.V.

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Giuliano Glocker

Advisory Board member / Co-CEO, Founder and Shareholder at Maverix Securities (www.mavx.com) regulated financial services firm headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland. More than 20+ years of experience in the financial services sector as structured products specialist and thought leader / innovator in the investment solutions arena.