Principals of Cantab
Dr. Ewan Kirk (Chief Executive Officer)
Former head of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income, Currency, Commodity and Equity Quantitative Strategies
group. As the Partner in charge of a group of 110 mathematicians, physicists, statisticians and programmers,
Dr. Kirk oversaw and drove the development of the highly respected and profitable quantitative group. Dr. Kirk
joined Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, in the commodity strategy group in May 1992 and spent 8 years in
the commodity business developing trading algorithms, quantitative models and trading systems before
becoming a partner in October 2000 and managing the group until leaving Goldman Sachs in January 2005.
Dr. Kirk was between employment from February 2005 to January 2006, when he joined Cantab. Dr. Kirk has
been listed as a principal of Cantab since April 8, 2008 and registered as an associated person of Cantab since
June 12, 2008.
Erich Schlaikjer (Chief Technology Officer)
Former Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer for the European Strategies group at Goldman
Sachs, the investment bank, from September 1987 to January 2005. Mr. Schlaikjer was personally responsible for
designing and building many of the analysis tools which are currently in use at Goldman Sachs. At Cantab,
Mr. Schlaikjer will run the team of programmers which will design and build the analytical tools and
infrastructure which will enable the mathematicians to develop, test and implement algorithmic trading rules. Mr.
Schlaikjer has worked extensively in the FX and Equity markets. Mr. Schlaikjer was between employment from
January 2005 to January 2006, when he joined Cantab. Mr. Schlaikjer has been listed as a principal of Cantab
CANTAB TRADING STRATEGY
Cantab believes that statistically rigorous and robust analysis of markets identifies sources of returns which
persist due to inefficiencies and the behavior of market participants.
Frontier Diversified App. - 18
Cantab uses a strict methodology to postulate these sources of returns initially and then test the hypothesis
using real world data out of sample. Cantabâs systematic strategies are un-tuned and are predominately parameter
free.
Cantab takes a strictly quantitative approach to all aspects of trading. Strategy selection, portfolio
construction, execution and risk control are all specified by algorithmic and systematic processes.
The Strategies
By combining proprietary algorithms with macroeconomic state variables such as the carry or risk premium
Cantab has created stable alpha generating strategies.
By executing a correlated basket of futures and options, Cantab creates precise risk return profiles for each
strategy which enhances the performance of the strategies.
Robust out of sample testing, large consistent data sets and flexible, efficient and rigorous tools are essential
in identifying these sources of return and creating the appropriate strategies to capture the return.
Portfolio Construction
Although simple fixed weighting portfolios perform well, by creating a dynamically weighted VAR
constrained portfolio, attractive risk profiles can be created. Cantabâs proprietary portfolio algorithms allow
Cantab to not only construct an optimal portfolio but to also adapt the portfolio construction in various market
states.
High Frequency Trading
Many systematic quantitative funds lose performance by poor trade execution. Slippage can destroy the
performance of marginal strategies. To reduce this slippage, Cantab is developing a proprietary high frequency
trading engine. The high frequency trading returns are uncorrelated with the expected returns of the low
frequency systematic strategies and are expected to add slightly to the overall return of the portfolio.
CANTAB MARKETS TRADED
Cantab concentrates on the FX, Commodity, Rates and Futures markets and implements their approach
through the spot, forward and volatility markets.
Frontier Diversified
Dr. Ewan Kirk (Chief Executive Officer)
Former head of the Goldman Sachs Fixed Income, Currency, Commodity and Equity Quantitative Strategies
group. As the Partner in charge of a group of 110 mathematicians, physicists, statisticians and programmers,
Dr. Kirk oversaw and drove the development of the highly respected and profitable quantitative group. Dr. Kirk
joined Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, in the commodity strategy group in May 1992 and spent 8 years in
the commodity business developing trading algorithms, quantitative models and trading systems before
becoming a partner in October 2000 and managing the group until leaving Goldman Sachs in January 2005.
Dr. Kirk was between employment from February 2005 to January 2006, when he joined Cantab. Dr. Kirk has
been listed as a principal of Cantab since April 8, 2008 and registered as an associated person of Cantab since
June 12, 2008.
Erich Schlaikjer (Chief Technology Officer)
Former Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer for the European Strategies group at Goldman
Sachs, the investment bank, from September 1987 to January 2005. Mr. Schlaikjer was personally responsible for
designing and building many of the analysis tools which are currently in use at Goldman Sachs. At Cantab,
Mr. Schlaikjer will run the team of programmers which will design and build the analytical tools and
infrastructure which will enable the mathematicians to develop, test and implement algorithmic trading rules. Mr.
Schlaikjer has worked extensively in the FX and Equity markets. Mr. Schlaikjer was between employment from
January 2005 to January 2006, when he joined Cantab. Mr. Schlaikjer has been listed as a principal of Cantab
CANTAB TRADING STRATEGY
Cantab believes that statistically rigorous and robust analysis of markets identifies sources of returns which
persist due to inefficiencies and the behavior of market participants.
Frontier Diversified App. - 18
Cantab uses a strict methodology to postulate these sources of returns initially and then test the hypothesis
using real world data out of sample. Cantabâs systematic strategies are un-tuned and are predominately parameter
free.
Cantab takes a strictly quantitative approach to all aspects of trading. Strategy selection, portfolio
construction, execution and risk control are all specified by algorithmic and systematic processes.
The Strategies
By combining proprietary algorithms with macroeconomic state variables such as the carry or risk premium
Cantab has created stable alpha generating strategies.
By executing a correlated basket of futures and options, Cantab creates precise risk return profiles for each
strategy which enhances the performance of the strategies.
Robust out of sample testing, large consistent data sets and flexible, efficient and rigorous tools are essential
in identifying these sources of return and creating the appropriate strategies to capture the return.
Portfolio Construction
Although simple fixed weighting portfolios perform well, by creating a dynamically weighted VAR
constrained portfolio, attractive risk profiles can be created. Cantabâs proprietary portfolio algorithms allow
Cantab to not only construct an optimal portfolio but to also adapt the portfolio construction in various market
states.
High Frequency Trading
Many systematic quantitative funds lose performance by poor trade execution. Slippage can destroy the
performance of marginal strategies. To reduce this slippage, Cantab is developing a proprietary high frequency
trading engine. The high frequency trading returns are uncorrelated with the expected returns of the low
frequency systematic strategies and are expected to add slightly to the overall return of the portfolio.
CANTAB MARKETS TRADED
Cantab concentrates on the FX, Commodity, Rates and Futures markets and implements their approach
through the spot, forward and volatility markets.
Frontier Diversified