DeutschEnglish
Imprint Privacy policy

Company

Success by design

FIRST PRIVATE is your reliable partner for active and systematic asset management, a role it has fulfilled for more than 25 years.

As an independent investment boutique, we focus on what we do best: managing equities and absolute return mandates. Thanks to a range of international experience, our team of portfolio managers, analysts and client advisors guarantees transparent and comprehensible investment processes. Maximising the continuity of client relationships and achieving sustainable investment success are defining features of our partnership-based approach.

FIRST PRIVATE – your partner in active asset management.

Asset Manager is founded
1991
Company name is changed to FIRST PRIVATE (management buy-out)
2003
Number of staff
26

Values

Values create trust

The success of our asset management is based not only on specialist expertise, but on a company culture that has partnership and integrity at its core. Our institutional and private investors can rely on these values as they shape everything we do.

Independence

As an independent and owner-led asset management firm, we value a highly focused approach based on continuity and dependability which, to us, constitute the vital components of a reliable product offering.

Specialisation

We play a pioneering role in the development and implementation of active, quantitative investment strategies in the areas of equities and absolute return. We select securities solely on the basis of scientifically-based methods and fundamental facts.

Durability

Our company culture is built on durable relationships. Maintaining long-term, sustainable ties to our clients and colleagues is one of our top priorities.

Systematic investing

We aim to make investment decisions that will ensure long-term success for our clients. That’s why our systematic investment processes are based on scientific methods, fundamental facts and clearly-defined rules. The potential for making situational decisions and typical cognitive mistakes is greatly minimised by our approach.

Specialisation

equities and absolute return (multi-strategy and equity long/short)

Conviction

systematic, fundamental selection of securities

Added value

active asset management without reliance on benchmarks

Partnership-based business model

we are investors in our own funds

We'd be nothing without our team

FIRST PRIVATE relies on the exceptional skills of a highly motivated and stable team. Each and every one of our fund managers has many years of experience in the investment industry and outstanding expertise in both fundamental data analysis and quantitative investment methods.

As well as an academic background – especially in the specialist fields of economics, engineering, science and IT – our team members stand out from the crowd thanks to their passion for knowledge and research. They are driven by a strong desire to keep improving our products for your benefit.

Management board
Tobias Klein, CFA
CEO | Partner
Head of Investment
31
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
1996
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Tobias Klein, CFA
Tobias Klein is chief executive officer and a founding partner of FIRST PRIVATE. As Head of Investment, he is responsible for portfolio management and quantitative research. Over the course of his more than 25-year career to date, Tobias initially worked for two leading international asset managers. Since 1996, he has set benchmarks in quantitative asset management at FIRST PRIVATE. The firm's European equity funds have received numerous awards under his management. Tobias holds a degree in business engineering from the University of Karlsruhe and studied economics & finance at Stanford University.
Thorsten Wegner
COO | Partner
Managing Director
29
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2003
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Thorsten Wegner
As a founding partner and managing director of FIRST PRIVATE, Thorsten Wegner is responsible for the back and middle office areas. His duties include the management, supervision and organisation of the entire spectrum of operating processes and services. He is responsible for the IT, Internal Organisation, HR and Accounting units. Thorsten previously held management positions in IT and fund accounting. He holds a degree in information technology from RheinMain University of Applied Sciences.
Richard Zellmann, CFA
Managing Director | Partner
27
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2005
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Richard Zellmann, CFA
As a partner and managing director at FIRST PRIVATE, Richard Zellmann is responsible for the Sales & Marketing unit as well as public relations. He also oversees many individual relationships to institutional and high net worth private clients. Richard has more than 25 years' experience in various positions within the fields of asset management and banking research/sales. His previous roles include that of chief strategist and global head of research at a German Wholesale Bank. Richard holds a degree in economics from the University of Kiel.
Portfolio management
Tobias Klein, CFA
CEO | Partner
Head of Investment
31
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
1996
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Tobias Klein, CFA
Tobias Klein is chief executive officer and a founding partner of FIRST PRIVATE. As Head of Investment, he is responsible for portfolio management and quantitative research. Over the course of his more than 25-year career to date, Tobias initially worked for two leading international asset managers. Since 1996, he has set benchmarks in quantitative asset management at FIRST PRIVATE. The firm's European equity funds have received numerous awards under his management. Tobias holds a degree in business engineering from the University of Karlsruhe and studied economics & finance at Stanford University.
Martin Brückner, CFA
CIO | Partner
23
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
1999
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Martin Brückner, CFA
As chief investment officer and founding partner, Martin Brückner is responsible for all investment processes and for implementing investment strategies. In addition, as the responsible portfolio manager he takes charge of development and quality assurance for the multi-strategy concepts. Martin has acquired extensive experience in portfolio management at major investment houses. As well as holding a degree in business administration, he studied business information technology at the European Business School and holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from James Madison University.
Christian Schuster, CFA
Head of Portfolio Management | Partner
25
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2005
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Christian Schuster, CFA
Christian Schuster in his role as head of portfolio management and partner is responsible for developing and implementing market-neutral investment strategies – including cross-asset strategies – in various asset classes such as commodities, fixed income and equities. His professional career includes previous posts at banks and single family offices, where he oversaw the development and implementation of multi-asset and absolute return strategies. Christian holds a degree in business management from the University of Hamburg.
Andreas Kraft
Senior Portfolio Manager | Partner
24
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2006
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Andreas Kraft
In his role as a senior portfolio manager, Andreas Kraft is responsible for developing and implementing global equity investment processes. He joined the portfolio management team at FIRST PRIVATE in 2006. Andreas's previous roles include that of senior portfolio manager at a hedge fund and in the asset management at a major German private bank. He holds a master degree in economics from the European Business School. In addition, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in computer science from James Madison University.
Sebastian Müller, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager | Partner
19
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2005
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Sebastian Müller, CFA
As a senior portfolio manager, Sebastian Müller is responsible for developing and implementing European and global dividend strategies. His expertise lies in combining fundamental equity analysis with the development of quantitative investment methods. Before joining FIRST PRIVATE, Sebastian acquired initial professional experience while working at a bank as part of his studies. He holds a degree in business administration from Hochschule Wismar, University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design.
Dr. SEBASTIAN WENZ
Senior Portfolio Manager | Partner
8
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2016
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Dr. SEBASTIAN WENZ
Dr. Sebastian Wenz works as a Portfolio Manager in the Multi-Strategy unit of FIRST PRIVATE. He is responsible for the development and implementation of event-driven investment strategies across different asset classes – including Cross Asset-Strategies. Before joining FIRST PRIVATE, Dr. Sebastian Wenz gained first professional experience in working student programs at international investment banks. He studied mathematics at the Technische Universität Darmstadt and obtained his doctorate in business mathematics with focus on capital market research.
Luis Severien Marcilla
Junior Portfolio Manager
4
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2023
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Luis Severien Marcilla
Luis Severien is a Junior Portfolio Manager at FIRST PRIVATE and is responsible for the development of existing strategies in the equity and multi-strategy areas. Previously, he developed event and macro-based multi-asset strategies at a German hedge fund and completed various internships in corporate finance and management consulting. Luis Severien studied economics and business informatics at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, specializing in software development and artificial intelligence.
Benjamin Bayer
Junior Data Scientist
1
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2023
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Benjamin Bayer
Benjamin Bayer serves as a Junior Data Scientist at FIRST PRIVATE and is entrusted with the development of apps for communicating strategies. With responsibilities in data management and data processing, Benjamin ensures that data is efficiently processed and managed. Previously, Benjamin gained valuable experience as a Junior Data Scientist at a startup in the automotive industry and worked as a consultant in risk management for banks. Benjamin is pursuing a Master's in Quantitative Finance at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, where he has already specialized in the subjects of Finance, Economic Mathematics, and Business Informatics during his Bachelor's degree.
Holger Seib
Trading Desk
23
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2016
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Holger Seib
Holger Seib is responsible for processing and executing all trading desk orders as a trader in FIRST PRIVATE’s portfolio management team. Holger has extensive experience in securities trading thanks to his previous posts at various banks and investment houses. He holds a degree in banking management from the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Frankfurt.
Dr. Felician Dancea
Data Science Specialist
15
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2007
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Dr. Felician Dancea
As a data science specialist, Dr Felician Dancea is responsible for developing and improving data architecture at FIRST PRIVATE. This role involves both data integration and processing as well as IT infrastructure and security, in addition to data quality analyses. Felician has several years’ experience of working in the field of data science at various universities. He studied physics at the University of Cluj-Napoca in Romania and completed a PhD in biophysics at Goethe University Frankfurt.
Client services
Richard Zellmann, CFA
Managing Director | Partner
27
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2005
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Richard Zellmann, CFA
As a partner and managing director at FIRST PRIVATE, Richard Zellmann is responsible for the Sales & Marketing unit as well as public relations. He also oversees many individual relationships to institutional and high net worth private clients. Richard has more than 25 years' experience in various positions within the fields of asset management and banking research/sales. His previous roles include that of chief strategist and global head of research at a German Wholesale Bank. Richard holds a degree in economics from the University of Kiel.
Dietmar Koch
Senior Sales Manager
26
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2020
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Marco Lennartz
Senior Sales Manager | Partner
14
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2018
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Eleni Tzingouli
Senior Marketing Manager
27
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2013
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Romy Radmacher
Senior Marketing Manager
19
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2006
with
FIRST
PRIVATE
Jasmin Liptak
Junior Manager Sales & Marketing
2
years experience in the investment industry
Since  
2023
with
FIRST
PRIVATE

Network

Access to innovative Asset Managers

With the foundation of our partner network FP Investment Partners, we provide institutional clients with access to a selection of leading specialised investment teams in their segment. FP Investment Partners combines the services of all partners to provide optimal client solutions. The closely-related boutique partners are independent teams with a clear focus, long-term engagement and strong convictions. FP Investment Partner’s offering includes alternative investments, real assets and next generation quant investing.

Renewable energies for institutional investors

As the initiator of the Luxembourg investment fund platform FP Lux Investments S.A. SICAV-SIF, we enable institutional clients to gain access to investment solutions in the infrastructure/renewable energies segment. re:cap global investors ag, an affiliated renewable energies advisory firm with international operations and head office in Zug, Switzerland, focuses on investments in sustainable infrastructure in the fields of solar and wind energy for institutional investors.

Custodian

Bank of New York Mellon Asset Servicing acts as the custodian for the segregated assets of FIRST PRIVATE. BNY Mellon is one of the leading companies in the securities services field and is also one of the largest custodians in Germany.

Fund accounting

We partner with the Universal Investment Group in the areas of front, middle and back office operations. Together with UI labs, Universal Investment provides comprehensive services for our funds with regard to fund accounting, front office solutions, statutory reporting, compliance and reporting. The Universal Investment Group is one of Europe’s leading fund service platforms and Super ManCos with around one trillion euros in assets under administration, about 5,000 fund and investment mandates and a workforce of more than 1,700 at locations in Frankfurt am Main, Luxembourg, Dublin, London, Paris, Stockholm and Krakow. Founded in 1968, the company is an independent platform for asset managers as well as institutional investors offering structuring and administration solutions as well as risk management for Securities, Real Estate and Alternative Investments.

Video ID 1VrMGEjgZ5Q