Cambridge Associates Explained

Cambridge Associates LLC
Type:Private
Industry:Financial services
Founders:Hunter Lewis,
James Bailey
Location:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Key People:David Druley (CEO)
Products:Asset management, investment management
Aum: (May 2023)
Assets: (May 2023)
Num Employees:1,387

Cambridge Associates LLC is a privately held investment firm based in the United States.[1] It provides investment portfolio management and advisory services to institutional investors, including foundations and endowments, pensions, private clients, and corporate and government entities.[2]

History

Cambridge Associates was founded by Harvard College roommates Hunter Lewis and James Bailey in 1973.[3]

The firm initially provided investment research to endowments and foundations, and over time, it expanded its services to investment consulting and portfolio management for many institutional investors, such as endowments, foundations and pensions.[4] Cambridge Associates’ CEO, David Druley, was appointed in 2016 after serving as head of global investments. He succeeded Sandra A. Urie, who served as Chairman and CEO for 16 years.[5]

On February 3, 2022, it was announced that Cambridge Associates will be taking 115,000 square feet in the Winthrop Center tower for its new headquarters later in the year.[6]

Business

Cambridge Associates has, as of mid-2018, $389 billion in assets under advisement, of which roughly $30 billion is managed for client on a discretionary basis—a 50% increase from 2017. The firm has moved further into the business of investing on behalf of clients in addition to its traditional business of largely recommending investment managers to institutions and wealthy individuals and families.

The institutions that outsource the management of their investment portfolio to Cambridge Associates include the American Red Cross, for its pension and endowment;[7] the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation,[8] and the endowment of Lewis & Clark College.[9]

The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Reuters utilize Cambridge Associates research.[10] [11]

In 2017, the firm laid off 3% of its workforce in the investment staff, performance reporting and data collection areas in order to more closely focus on its portfolio management operations.[12]

Investment services

It offers investment consulting, outsourced portfolio solutions, research services and tools, and performance monitoring across various asset classes. The company also provides services in areas, such as investment objectives, asset allocation, investment management structures and guidelines, investment manager selection and evaluation, and performance monitoring.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cambridge Associates Sells 20% of Firm to Client. Leanna Orr. Institutional Investor. May 16, 2018.
  2. Web site: Cambridge Associates Adds to Its Family of Backers. Dawn Lim. The Wall Street Journal. May 17, 2018.
  3. Web site: Cambridge, a $142 Billion Wall Street Gatekeeper, Cuts Staff. Juliet Chung. The Wall Street Journal. March 14, 2017.
  4. Web site: Cambridge Grows OCIO Assets 50% in Year Since Pivot from Consulting. Alyson Velati. FundFire. May 17, 2018.
  5. Web site: Cambridge Associates Names Druley Chairman and CEO. FINalternatives. May 17, 2018.
  6. https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2022/02/03/cambridge-associates-new-hq.html Boston Business Journal:February 3rd 2022:Cambridge Associates chooses Winthrop Center Tower for its new headquarters
  7. Web site: American Red Cross Outsources Investments to Cambridge Associates. Amy Whyte. Institutional Investor. June 7, 2018.
  8. Web site: UL Lafayette Foundation outsources investments to Cambridge. Preeti Singh. Buyouts. May 23, 2018.
  9. Web site: Cambridge Associates Adds Oregon Endowment in Asset Manager Push. Katrina Lewis. Bloomberg. July 25, 2018.
  10. Web site: Energy Losses Cut Into Private Equity Returns in 2014. Canada. Hilary. 4 August 2015. The Wall Street Journal. 24 November 2015.
  11. Web site: Activist Investors Display a Lighter Touch. Benoit. David. 24 November 2015. The Wall Street Journal. 26 November 2015.
  12. News: Comtois. James. Mercer not only consultant changing with the times. 19 December 2017. Pensions & Investments. Crain Communications Inc.. 20 March 2017.
  13. Web site: Cambridge Associates LLC: Private Company Information - Businessweek. www.bloomberg.com. 2016-04-04.