Harcourt Investment Consulting appoints new Head of Alternative Investments

Harcourt, a subsidiary of Vontobel Asset Management, has appointed Jan Viebig and Georg Wessling to further expand and strengthen its expertise in alternative investments. Jan Viebig takes up the position of Head of Alternative Investments. Georg Wessling will act as Deputy Head of Alternative Investments.

Jan Viebig replaces the former CEO of Harcourt, Stephan Fritz, who has decided to leave Vontobel Asset Management. Jan Viebig has over 12 years of investment experience in alternative investments and emerging markets. He joins Harcourt from Credit Suisse, where he currently is Head of Emerging Market Equities. Before this, he was Senior Hedge Fund Manager at DWS. Jan Viebig has received several awards, amongst others the "Best Performing Equity Market Neutral Hedge Fund" from HFR in 2006, Germany's Hedge Fund Award (Silver) in 2007 and the Sauren Gold Awards from 2005 through to 2007. Jan Viebig will assume his new responsibilities in September 2012.

Georg Wessling is currently Head of Hedge Fund Advisory at Harcourt. He has 17 years of investment experience, working at Ecofin prior to joining Harcourt. He has been with Harcourt since 2005 assuming Senior Investment Roles and heading the Advisory business. In his additional role, Georg will work closely together with Jan Viebig to drive Harcourt's strategy in terms of investment and product strategies. Axel Schwarzer, Head of Vontobel Asset Management commented: "These appointments, reflect the commitment to our clients and the ambition to further strengthen and expand our capabilities as Alternative Investments Manager."

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