Principal Investments

As a private merchant bank, we invest, from time to time, in selected private companies for the personal account of partners and professionals.  For example, principals of Compass Advisers advised on and are equity investors in the March 2004 formation of  Hart Energy Publishing, LP, a diversified firm offering information products and analytical services to the energy industry.  Hart Energy publishes Oil and Gas Investor magazine, among other titles.

      In late 2002, principals of Compass Advisers led the purchase of Advanced Programs Inc. (API), a government security services firm. Several of the firm's senior members also have extensive backgrounds as investment principals, particularly in private equity.

      Compass Partners Asset Management, was launched as a principal investment arm focused on alternative investments in middle-market companies seeking to capitalize on growth opportunities.  The first venture is Compass Investment Partners Fund, a middle-market private equity fund in North America targeting the business and information services sectors.

      In addition, we have strong alliances within the private equity world, including a direct relationship with the Compass Partners European Equity Fund.  Stephen M. Waters, the Managing Partner of Compass Advisers, also leads the European Equity Fund, a $917 million fund focused on buying and improving the operations of manufacturing and service companies in Western Europe.  It is the largest "first-time" fund of its vintage ever raised for European investment.  An online overview of the European Equity Fund is available as a PDF file.