Shanta Acharya

There is a profound linkage between the quality of a university and its financial resources. The universities of Oxford and Cambridge rank among the world's finest educational institutions, and are able to draw on invested assets that are large by any standards. Endowment Asset Management explores how the colleges that comprise these two great universities make their investment decisions. Oxford and Cambridge are collegiate institutions, each consisting of a federal university and over 30 constituent colleges. While the colleges may have ostensibly similar missions, they are governed independently. Since they interpret their investment objectives differently, this gives rise to some remarkably dissimilar approaches to investment, which the authors explore in detail. The first study of its kind, Endowment Asset Management analyses the objectives, investment philosophy, asset management and governance of over 60 college and university endowment funds. Drawing on exhaustive research and detailed discussions with Oxford and Cambridge investment bursars, the authors investigate issues such as asset allocation and spending policy, which have a major influence on the institutions' financial health. This study reveals the colleges' individualism and diversity, and carefully analyses their strategies, which range from the traditional to cutting edge. The authors' findings are thought provoking for anyone concerned with the assets of foundations, endowments, charities, family offices, or trusts. All investors with a long-term investment horizon will find it extremely engaging.

In recent years developments in information and communication technology, along with globalisation and trade liberalisation, have brought about a revolution in the capital markets. Always highly sensitive to global corporate trends, the asset management industry has been subject to huge changes in recent years. This book discusses the changing nature of asset management and the implications for investors. It is based on extensive research and interviews with a large number of distinguished practitioners in the industry. The issue of how technology has impacted on asset management is discussed and how, with the growth of the industry, more individuals are exercising control over their investments than ever before. Insightful and comprehensive, this book is a must for anyone involved in the management of money.

"There aren't any trivial subjects in Acharya's work. What I like about her writing is the integrity, the direct struggle with language to make it speak truly about real concerns." R. V. Bailey, Edinburgh Review "A profound receptivity to the world distinguishes Shanta Acharya's new collection. Her acute eye and keen sense of form depict the outer world in vivid detail, invoking the inner world where human experience makes its reality. Here is a poet of much clarity of spirit and a wondrous gift for evoking place." Penelope Shuttle "Her clear vision has purged her writing of extraneous sentiment - She cuts to the heart of things." Peter Porter "Her poetry shows a rare combination of lyricism, intelligence, sagacity and a wicked sense of humour. She is not afraid to take on the abstract, metaphysical, spiritual or to use the idiom such themes demand. It is refreshing to find these qualities in such an engaging and individual voice." Mimi Khalvati

"There aren't any trivial subjects in Acharya's work. What I like about her writing is the integrity, the direct struggle with language to make it speak truly about real concerns." R. V. Bailey, Edinburgh Review "A profound receptivity to the world distinguishes Shanta Acharya's new collection. Her acute eye and keen sense of form depict the outer world in vivid detail, invoking the inner world where human experience makes its reality. Here is a poet of much clarity of spirit and a wondrous gift for evoking place." Penelope Shuttle "Her clear vision has purged her writing of extraneous sentiment - She cuts to the heart of things." Peter Porter "Her poetry shows a rare combination of lyricism, intelligence, sagacity and a wicked sense of humour. She is not afraid to take on the abstract, metaphysical, spiritual or to use the idiom such themes demand. It is refreshing to find these qualities in such an engaging and individual voice." Mimi Khalvati