Farhan Kazmi
CEO | Managing Director | Expert in Investment Opportunities in Emerging Markets; Hedge Funds and Family Office setups.
New York City Metropolitan Area
Overview
Work Experience
Managing Director
2018 - Current
▪ Provided expert guidance or external asset management services to Portfolio Managers and Ultra High Net Worth Investors on investment opportunities in Emerging Markets, leveraging extensive market knowledge and network of contacts to identify and execute block trades and other deals with significant upside potential. ▪ Directed the development and execution of innovative investment strategies that aligned with clients' long-term financial goals and risk tolerance, while proactively monitoring market trends and regulatory changes that could impact portfolio performance. ▪ Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with clients and stakeholders across international markets, demonstrating a deep understanding of risk, cultural nuances and business practices in various regions. ▪ Additionally, advised clients on Private Equity investments in Emerging Markets, identifying high-potential opportunities and providing insightful due diligence analysis to support investment decisions.
Chief Executive Officer
2021 - 2023
▪ CEO of regulated Switzerland based Hedge Fund, overseeing operations, compliance, budgeting and portfolio management. ▪ Developed and implemented strategic plans to maximize investment returns and minimize risks, targeting for consistent year-over-year growth and long-term financial stability, including the establishment of an in-house Hedge Fund. ▪ Oversaw all aspects of hedge fund operations, including investment strategy, risk management, compliance, and investor relations, while successfully managing teams, risk priorities, banking relationships and stakeholder demands.
Chief Executive Officer
2020 - 2022
▪ Directed the establishment of a regulated family office for ultra high net worth individuals, overseeing all operational functions, including investment management, tax planning, risk management, philanthropy, and estate planning. ▪ Led the identification, evaluation, and execution of investment opportunities across various asset classes, including private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and alternative investments. ▪ Established and maintained relationships with external advisors, including attorneys, accountants, investment managers, and other professionals, to ensure effective collaboration and alignment of interests. ▪ Maintained strict confidentiality and discretion in all dealings with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders, building trust and credibility among the ultra high net worth community in Switzerland.
Managing Director - Head of EEMEA Equities
2015 - 2018
▪ Led a team of 35 associates, directors, and VPs across four offices in Research, Sales, and Trading, with a focus on equity and fixed income. Promoted to Managing Director due to demonstrated leadership and expertise. ▪ Served as one of 6 board members of local regulated Bank (Bank Credit Suisse Moscow) since 2012 establishing yearly cross divisional revenues of $390mln+ and 200+ employees. Member of the European Equities Management team, contributing to the strategic direction and success of the organization. ▪ Chairperson of on-shore Operational Risk Committee for the Equities Department at the Investment Bank, led cross-functional discussions with members from Treasury, Tax, Operations, HR, Legal, and Regulatory Compliance teams to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, ensuring the department's operational integrity and compliance with industry regulations.
Head of Equities - Emerging Europe
2012 - 2015
▪ Consistently maintained #1 ranking in McLagan Survey for four years, utilizing profitable cross transactions, initiating and maintaining strong client relationships, executing successful cross-divisional deals, and generating high trade commissions. ▪ Doubled total revenues by spearheading the development of a cutting-edge trading DMA platform, positioning the firm as a leader in EEMEA local exchanges. Recognized for outstanding achievements with a promotion to a higher role. ▪ Demonstrated exceptional leadership by expanding trading execution and automation, resulting in a reduction of business resources and cost base by 18% over three years, optimizing efficiency and profitability. ▪ Successfully identified and promoted the Head of Sales and Trading in 2011, expanding their remit to lead Eastern European Equities in 2014, contributing to the firm's growth and success.
Head of Sales and Trading - Equities
2011 - 2012
▪ Demonstrated exceptional leadership and revenue generation as the manager of the Sales and Trading team, achieving and maintaining the #1 market share position for 17 consecutive quarters. ▪ Recognized for the team's outstanding success in market share and revenue generation, promoted to Head of Equities for the European region by the management. Continuously provided strategic direction to drive business growth and success, exhibiting strong business leadership attributes.
Director - CEEMEA Equities
2007 - 2011
▪ Recruited by Credit Suisse Trading management as a strategic leader to drive business growth, increase market share, and cultivate customer flows across Emerging and European Equities. ▪ Demonstrated exceptional leadership and business acumen, successfully transforming the firm’s market position from 9th place to #1 within the first 18 months. Achieved this by implementing effective strategies and cultivating relationships with key investors, resulting in significant revenue growth and establishing a strong market presence.
Credit Suisse Group is a financial services company that advises clients in all aspects of finance.
CEEMEA Equities - Associate Director
2002 - 2007
▪ Joined EMEA Equity Research Sales desk in New York to cover LATAM and CEEMEA markets for US-based clients, and was quickly recognized by European Equities management for exceptional performance and leadership potential. ▪ Led efforts to drive significant growth in market share, resulting in the #1 ranking, and expanded the client base from 15 to over 50 major paying accounts, including global hedge funds, mutual funds, dedicated investors, and UHNW private accounts. ▪ Generated multi-million-dollar profits through a continuous flow of sizeable block trades, offering opportunities for OTC share crosses with minimal risk, and revenue from commissions, demonstrating strong investment acumen and risk management skills. ▪ Managed market exposure and led local office client book for all share book builds and IPOs, collaborating closely with ECM to provide client ranking, valuation feedback, and suggested allocations on over $8 billion of equity issuances, contributing to the success of multiple high-profile deals.
UBS Realty Investors is an institutional investment advisor that managed real estate equity assets on behalf of its clients.