Contemporary insight,
Exceptional foresight

Our directors have decades of relevant and diverse industry experience. Experience breeds foresight.

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How comfortable are you with your independent director?

Highwater independent directors have made their mark in the alternative investment funds industry by providing personal, high-quality director services to a select number of premium hedge funds and investment managers. Our independent directors serve on boards covering a variety of investment strategies, including multi-strategy, credit, long/short equity, global macro, relative value, distressed debt, emerging markets, commodities, systematic, fixed income, event driven and other single manager strategies, as well as some significant fund of hedge fund relationships. They also act for certain private equity and infrastructure funds, as well as family offices.

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Highwater Directors

Meet the Directors

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HighWater independent directors bring the necessary diverse management and advisory experience gained from decades of work in the trenches – including finance, due diligence, investment management, fund administration, legal, audit and fund regulation backgrounds. All of our directors have held senior and high profile roles in the fund industry.

Gary Linford

Gary Linford
Founder

Yolanda Banks McCoy of HighWater

Yolanda Banks McCoy
Partner

Stacey Kirkconnell of HighWater

Stacey Kirkconnell
Partner

Mark Fagan of HighWater

Mark Fagan
Partner

Simon profile 2-1

Simon Cox
Director

Nick Tappin of HighWater

Nick Tappin
Director

Matt Auriemma

Matt Auriemma
Director

Todd Groome of HighWater

Todd Groome
Director

John Lewis

John Lewis
Director

Steve Ali of HighWater

Steve Ali

Sandra

Sandra "Sandy" Cram

Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson

Background

High Quality Director Services for Cayman-Domiciled Funds

HighWater was established in 2007.  We provide administrative services to independent professional directors in the alternative investment funds industry. Our independent directors provide guidance and expertise to alternative funds, including hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds and investment managers.

With a broader focus on Cayman-domiciled funds and investment managers, HighWater independent directors provide high quality director services to a select number of clients. At HighWater, the independent directors perform all key functions and responsibilities personally, recognising the increasing importance attached to the experience, capacity, attention, availability and credibility of the independent director.  There are natural limits to the number of directorships that directors can take on, and the focus is on maintaining a manageable portfolio of quality relationships, where the director can be actively engaged, build mutual trust, add value to the process, represent investor interests and work with investment managers to provide effective oversight and superior corporate governance to the fund.

HighWater  independent directors’ success has been built on developing strong relationships with investment managers, investors and key service providers of the fund via regular interaction and by working together constructively to ensure the equitable treatment of all stakeholders. They have a diverse portfolio of clients across the Americas, Europe and Asia, covering a wide variety of investment strategies. 

The independent professional directors supported by Highwater are experienced professionals who are readily accessible, responsive and who fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities personally. The funds industry is highly contextual, often presenting complex and unique issues which cannot be adequately resolved via a checklist approach. HighWater has a highly qualified and dedicated team of professional support staff, and a robust and secure technology platform, designed to support the directors in providing effective corporate governance.

What we do

Our services

Director Services Distressed Funds Investment Managers

Highwater Director Services

Director Services

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Institutional investors should require independent directors who have relevant industry expertise and who will fulfill their fiduciary duties in the best interests of the fund and its investors. In an industry of growing complexity and increased regulation, investors and managers seek directors who will make a genuine contribution and not shy away from difficult decisions.

highwater-team

Distressed Funds

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Distressed funds can find themselves without the appropriate independent board of directors to guide them through a restructuring process, an orderly realisation of assets, or a voluntary liquidation. 

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Investment Managers

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As a stepping stone to setting up a permanent office, Highwater can assist investment fund managers to establish a physical presence in the Cayman Islands, working closely with onshore legal counsel, tax and regulatory advisors.

experienced funds professionals

Support Staff

The HighWater support team is comprised of experienced funds professionals with backgrounds as former regulators, fund administrators or professional accountants.

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