Hedge Funds Review Americas Awards 2014 open for entries

Hedge Funds Review is now accepting entries for the Americas Awards 2014. These awards recognise the top-performing hedge funds and funds of hedge funds in the US, Canada and Latin America

The Hedge Funds Review Americas Awards 2014 are now open for entries.

The annual event rewards outstanding achievements in the hedge fund industry across a series of quantitative and qualitative categories.

The quantitative performance awards recognise hedge funds and funds of hedge funds (FoHFs) that have delivered outstanding risk-adjusted returns for investors across multiple investment strategies.

Hedge Funds Review has partnered with BarclayHedge to identify the top-performing hedge funds and FoHFs in the Americas. Hedge funds reporting to the BarclayHedge database are automatically entered in the performance categories. All other managers are encouraged to download and complete an entry form.

Hedge funds and FoHFs are also invited to enter the qualitative categories, which reward achievements in product development, innovation and client service.

The performance categories, which cover one, three and 10-year performance, have expanded this year to recognise the contribution of emerging managers. This section of the awards now recognises best equity hedge, event driven, global macro, fixed income/credit and managed futures/CTA emerging managers as well as selecting an emerging manager of the year.

The qualitative categories include best new hedge fund, best emerging manager, most innovative hedge fund, best investor relations team and best overall hedge fund and FoHF. This year the awards also recognise best bespoke FoHF provider and best advisory team from a fund of funds.

A pair of special awards will recognise an individual's lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to the hedge fund industry in the Americas. Another award recognises an institutional adviser's outstanding contribution to the industry.

A full list of categories and details on how to enter as well as a list of 2013 winners is available on the awards website.

The hedge fund investment process relies on more than just numbers and the evaluation process recognises this.

For the performance categories, funds that meet the qualification criteria are ranked on returns, Sharpe ratios and downside deviation. The funds with the best aggregate ranking make a long list that goes before a panel of judges.

The judges select a winner, taking into account the quantitative analysis as well as their qualitative experience and expertise. The judging panel is impartial and unbiased and rewards genuine performance and quality.

The judging panel is chaired by risk.net hedge fund editor Kris Devasabai and includes Lionel Erdely, head and chief investment officer of hedge funds at Investcorp; Frank Frecentese, head of hedge fund research at Lyxor Asset Management; Deepak Gurnani, founder and managing principal of ARP Investments, which offers alternative risk premium products to institutional investors; Hiroshi Harada, managing director at Lighthouse Investment Partners, where he is responsible for building the firm's business in Asia; Samantha Levenstein, a portfolio adviser working with Aksia's institutional client base and consulting a number of large defined benefit pension plans; and Stefan Zellmer, senior managing director and head of research at Revere Capital Advisors

The winners will be announced at a cocktail reception on July 24 in New York City.