STEPHEN CRANSTON: We all know her name — Magda Wierzycka
Wierzycka is naturally mercurial and not naturally patient, but she has brought professional management into the business
Magda (Wierzycka) is that rare person, like Beyoncé or Cher, who is often known by just one name. Even Lady Gaga has two. Her day job is CEO of Sygnia, a financial shop which derives much of its income from the unglamorous "plumbing" services such as administration. Its backbone includes the Platinum investment administration system and the liability or member administration which underpins its Sygnia Umbrella Retirement Fund. She even exited the one high-margin sector in which the business had built up expertise: its funds of hedge funds. Of course it coincided with a sharp decline in investor interest in these products. And it was perfect timing for the head of hedge fund of funds unit, Simon Peile (he happens to be Wierzycka’s husband), who was keen to spend more time peering through his binoculars at birds. That’s not to say Sygnia isn’t launching some unusual products. Its Sygnia Faang Plus Equity Fund has been operating for six months. Wierzycka says there was client demand fo...
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