Conflicts of Interest Policy

CAPRICORN FUND MANAGERS LIMITED
(the “Firm”)
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY
Date: 12th November 2015

Regulated by the FCA, the Firm has a fiduciary duty to manage and deal in the best interests of its clients and – where applicable – the investors in the AIFs (Alternative Investment Fund) in respect of which the Firm acts as AIFM (Alternative Investment Fund Manager).

The Firm has an obligation to manage and deal in the best interests of its clients.

FCA Principle 8 requires the Firm to manage conflicts of interest fairly, both between the Firm and its clients as well as between one client and another client. Where the Firm acts as AIFM to an AIF, this obligation is extended to managing conflicts in such a manner to prevent them from adversely affecting the interests of the AIF or its investors and to ensure that the AIFs managed are fairly treated.

SYSC 10.1 requires the Firm to take all reasonable steps to identify conflicts of interest between:

The Firm (including its managers, staff or any person directly or indirectly linked to them by control), and a client of the Firm; or

One client of the Firm and another client.

With respect to AIFs in respect of which the Firm acts as AIFM, the requirement is extended to identifying conflicts of interest between:

the Firm and the AIF or its investors
the AIF or its investors and another AIF or its investors
the AIF or its investors and another client of the Firm
The AIF or its investors and a UCITS (Undertakings for the Collective Investment of Transferable Securities) managed by the Firm or its investors
Accordingly, the Firm’s Conflicts of Interest Policy is designed to identify, assess, manage and if appropriate, disclose all potential and actual conflicts of interest in the Firm’s business.

Types of Conflict

The Firm undertakes investment management services on behalf of multiple clients, which include both funds and managed accounts.

For the purposes of identifying the types of conflict and potential conflicts that arise which may entail a material risk of damage to the interests of a client, the Firm must take into account whether the Firm or a relevant person, or a person directly or indirectly linked by control to the Firm:

Is likely to make a financial gain, or avoid a financial loss, at the expense of the client or an AIF investor
Has an interest in the outcome of a service provided to the client or of a transaction carried out on behalf of the client, which is distinct from the client’s interest in that outcome or an AIF investor
Has a financial or other incentive to favour the interest of another client or group of clients over the interests of the client or an AIF investor
Carries on the same business as the client or an AIF investor
Receives or will receive from a person other than the client an inducement in relation to a service provided to the client, in the form of monies, goods or services other than the standard commission or fee for that service

Managing Conflicts

Governance
The Firm has robust governance arrangements and management oversight of the business. Key business decisions are taken by the Board who understand the Firm’s obligations to manage and mitigate conflicts of interest.

The Compliance Officer is tasked with identifying conflicts of interest and reports directly to the Board. Management information relevant to identifying conflicts is reviewed by the Compliance Officer (including risk reports, monitoring of account and position statements produced by the Firm’s third-party administrators for client assets and other risk scenarios).

The Firm has a Conflicts Register (below) that seeks to identify and mitigate the Firm’s potential and actual conflicts of interest.

This Policy will be reviewed annually by the Board as part of the Compliance Officer’s Report with respect to Senior Management Arrangements, Systems & Controls (“SYSC”).

Segregation of functions
The Firm has defined and clear reporting lines. An organisational chart is maintained by the Compliance Officer.

The Firm has structured its senior management to appropriately segregate duties so as to avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible.

The Firm also has external compliance consultants to advise on the Firm’s compliance programme, to undertake independent monitoring of the Firm’s regulatory obligations, including management of conflicts of interest.

Remuneration
The Firm has a documented Remuneration Policy detailing the Firm’s approach to remuneration and compensation arrangements

The Firm’s interests and the staff’s interests are aligned with those of the Firm’s clients. The level of remuneration is dependent on the success of the Firm as a whole and key individual remuneration is a discretionary annual bonus linked to client gains. Portfolio risk management arrangements as well as Fund/Client mandate manage and govern any potential conflict where too much risk is being taken with a client’s portfolio in order to increase potential fees.

Staff and Directors are required to disclose in writing any conflicts of interest upon commencement of employment with the Firm and on a periodic basis. Staff and Directors will disclose any conflicts of interest directly to the Compliance Officer and, if necessary, to the Board.

Disclosure to Clients
The Firm discloses to its clients and AIF investors, in its offering memoranda and other documents, all material conflicts in sufficient detail so as to allow the client or an AIF investor to take an informed decision in relation to the service offered.

If the Firm’s arrangements to manage a potential conflict of interest are not sufficient to ensure with reasonable confidence that the risk of damage to that client’s or AIF investor’s interests is prevented, the Firm will inform the client or AIF investor in writing or on the Firm’s website.

Policies & Procedures
The Firm has comprehensive policies and procedures documented in the Compliance Manual, which are designed to establish consistent controls to manage and mitigate conflicts. The Compliance Manual is reviewed by the Firm annually and when the Firm’s business changes, to ensure the policies and procedures are current and effective.