Vontobel's boutique Vescore strengthens its investment platform, Artificial Intelligence expertise, and deepens access to academic research.
Asset management boutique Vescore wants to invest significantly into its digital investment platform, expand its proprietary AI expertise and deepen access to academic thought leadership, according to a media release on Wednesday.
To take Vescore forward on that journey, Andrea Gentilini joins as the boutique head. He takes over from Daniel Seiler, who has decided to pursue other opportunities.
Strong Academic Credentials
Gentilini brings to Vescore over 20 years of investment experience, a track record at applying data and analytics to investment processes, and strong academic credentials. He was CEO at Novus Partners, a fintech brand for institutional investors.
Prior to that, Gentilini was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), also serving as COO for the asset management division. Before joining UBP, he was a Director for Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers), leading hedge fund research and an advisory group.
Previously, he was at UBS Wealth Management in New York and a member of the management team at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
Focus on AI
He holds an M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering summa cum laude from Politecnico di Milano, a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, and two post-graduate degrees (in Information Technology and Applied Statistics) from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich.
In line with Vescore’s growing focus on AI, a team of four data scientists led by Petter Stengard will strengthen the boutique’s AI expertise and build innovative solutions for its clients.
Research Foundation
To focus more on Vescore’s academic heritage and research foundations, Vontobel introduces the Academic Advisory Council, which will allow the investment teams to stay connected with academic thought leadership and receive strong research impulses. It consists of three academics in the field of finance chaired by Heinz Zimmermann, Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Basel.
Other members include Daniel Hoechle, Professor for Banking and Finance and the Head of Competence Center Banking and Finance at the FHNW School of Business. He is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at «wevalue», a firm specializing in company valuations. He also worked as a Portfolio Manager and Quantitative Analyst for Man Investments in prior roles.
Tim Kroencke, a Professor of Finance at the University of Neuchâtel and a lecturer of Finance at the University of Basel is the third member. Among other roles, he worked at the Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim and for the Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB).
