Stockholm (HedgeNordic) – Stockholm-based asset manager Catella Fonder has strengthened its long/short equity team with the appointment of Mattias Nilsson (pictured), a former portfolio manager of Brummer & Partners-backed hedge fund Futuris. Nilsson will assume his new position on August 26.

Nilsson has extensive experience in the investment management industry after running Futuris alongside Arne Vaagen and Karl-Mikael Syding for about 15 years. Launched in 1999, the former Brummer & Partners-backed hedge fund was closed down in September 2014. The fund received the “Hedge Fund of the Decade” award handed out by Hedge Funds Review.

“We are very excited to introduce such a senior appointment to Catella’s portfolio management team,” said Erik Kjellgren, head of equity, hedge and fixed-income funds at Catella. “We see great potential for products with low correlation to the market in the Nordic market, which represents an area we want to put more focus on,” he added. “Our portfolio of low correlation products, headed by Catella Hedge, fits perfectly in a well-diversified investment portfolio, and with the experience brought by Mattias, we will further strengthen our position as one of the leading managers of absolute return products.”

Commenting on his appointment, Nilsson said: “I very much look forward to becoming part of Catella and its increased focus on absolute return products. Given the prevailing market environment, I am convinced there will be plenty of profitable investment opportunities in the coming years.”