Stockholm (HedgeNordic) – Simon Johannesen, the long-serving portfolio manager of KLP’s market-neutral equity fund specializing in the energy sector, has resigned from Norwegian pension provider KLP to pursue new opportunities. Johannesen had co-managed the KLP Alfa Global Energi fund alongside Torkel Aaberg since early 2015, with David Bhatti joining in August 2022 after Aaberg’s departure from KLP following 13 years at the firm. Bhatti continues to manage the fund as KLP searches for a new co-portfolio manager.
“After 10 years of outstanding performance at KLP, Simon has decided to pursue other opportunities,” confirms Eyvind Holt, Head of Active Management at KLP. Johannesen officially resigned during the summer but continued to support the portfolio management team through August. His next career move has yet to be disclosed. In addition to his decade-long tenure at KLP, Johannesen’s career includes roles as an equity analyst at the soon-to-be-closed hedge fund firm Oslo Asset Management, and as a corporate finance consultant at McKinsey & Company.
“After 10 years of outstanding performance at KLP, Simon has decided to pursue other opportunities.”
Eyvind Holt, Head of Active Management at KLP.
Johannesen was a part of KLP Kapitalforvaltning’s active management unit, which currently comprises nine managers focused on active mandates within equities and fixed income. KLP Alfa Global Energi, one of the two hedge funds managed by KLP, is a market-neutral equity fund specializing in the energy sector, covering the entire energy value chain from exploration and production to transport, transformation, and consumption.
The fund has delivered strong performance in recent years, generating an annualized return of 15.6 percent over the past five years. KLP Alfa Global Energi is currently enjoying its sixth consecutive year of positive performance, including a 16.4 percent gain in the challenging market conditions of 2022 and its best-ever annual return of 23.9 percent in 2020. Since Johannesen began co-managing the fund nearly a decade ago, KLP Alfa Global Energi has achieved an annualized return of approximately 10 percent.
