Before Anyone Else
WFM Asia has a proud history as an investment firm in the region where our roots span back more than two decades.
We are committed to investing in the Asian small and mid-cap equity market.
Our on-the-ground presence and bottom-up primary research give us a first mover advantage to identify opportunities in areas where others have not yet looked.
Deep-rooted Expertise
For nearly 25 years, WFM Asia has been a trusted partner to the management teams of the companies we invest in and to institutional investors alike. Building on this foundation, we manage two long-only equity funds, focusing on multiple geographies within Asia.
Methodical Approach
We offer the entrepreneurial and nimble mindset of being an investment boutique, while delivering rigorous processes, institutional infrastructure, and superior client service associated with larger global investment firms.
About
Founded in 2000 as Ward Ferry Management, WFM Asia carries on our heritage as an independent investment manager specializing in long-only equity investments in small and mid-cap companies across Asia.
With offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, we leverage over two decades of regional expertise to capture the significant value creation opportunity in Asian markets.
Our deep understanding of regional markets and the global investment landscape allows us to consistently identify and capitalize on unique opportunities.
We combine the personalized service and nimbleness of a boutique firm with the robust processes and compliance standards of larger investment management firms.
Proven Track Record
Our 22-year track record showcases our ability to navigate various economic environments, delivering returns across market cycles. We remain steadfast in our foundational principles while continuously refining our processes to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
Methodical Approach
By employing a private equity approach to public market investing, we ensure our clients benefit from comprehensive research, a disciplined strategy, and a focus on sustainable, long-term growth.
Trusted Partner
WFM Asia is a trusted partner for global institutional investors seeking exposure to Asia's markets and also for the companies in which we aim to invest for the long term. We often work with management teams who welcome our collaborative approach of sharing insights on business strategy and value creation for their companies.
Advantage Driven Expertise
Our regional expertise, research methodology, and commitment to long-term value creation through a focused investment strategy position us as a preferred choice in the small and mid-cap investment landscape in Asia.
We cultivate a true partnership with the management teams of the companies we invest in, offering feedback and guidance based on over two decades of regional experience.
Our Values
Consistency in Investment Philosophy
We adhere to our disciplined investment principles, ensuring a consistent approach for long-term success.
Integrity and Accountability
We uphold high standards of integrity and foster trust by demonstrating accountability for our words and actions.
Continuous Improvement
We strive for growth through intellectual honesty and diligence, owning our mistakes as opportunities to learn, and working to consciously improve each day.
Collaborative and Egalitarian Culture
Our flat structure encourages both productive disagreement and deep personal relationships, leading to effective collaboration by individuals and teams across the firm.
Independence and Hard Work
As an independent firm, our entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic, and love of what we do drive our success and performance.
Commitment to Compliance
We prioritize compliance with rigorous processes to uphold global regulatory standards and earn stakeholder trust.
Diversity & Inclusion
As a minority and woman-owned company, we achieve cognitive diversity through gender inclusion and the greatly varied backgrounds of our multicultural team, who hail from Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the U.S.
Strategy
Our investment philosophy is grounded in a private equity approach to public market investing.
We cover a wide variety of industries across different geographies within Asia, which enables our team to identify patterns and parallels between markets, sectors, companies, and opportunities.
Our History
Founded as Ward Ferry Management
based in Hong Kong
WF Asian Smaller Companies Fund
Launched January 2003
Mid-cap focus
WF Asian Reconnaissance Fund
Launched April 2006
Small-cap focus
Private investments option
Singapore office opened
Firm re-named to WFM Asia
Difference
Our focus on primary research, proprietary due diligence, and long-term value creation sets us apart from other asset managers. The primary differentiator for us is our distinctive investment approach.
We meticulously sift through a universe of ~8,000 public equities to identify 25-35 promising small and mid-cap companies per fund.
This disciplined, repeatable investment process is driven by deep fundamental research and primary data sources. By focusing on long-term industry dislocations and consumption trends, we uncover opportunities in early stage companies before they are broadly recognized by the rest of the market.
01Focused Expertise in Asian Small and Mid-Cap Companies
Long-Only Equity Investing
We specialize in long-term equity investments in small and mid-cap companies across Asia, with a deep understanding of their role in local and/or global markets.
Regional Longevity and Networks
With over two decades in the region, we leverage extensive industry and business contacts to identify dynamic businesses with strong management teams, good governance, and high growth potential.
02Private Equity Approach to Public Market Investing
Multi-Year Investment Horizon
We adopt a private equity mindset, focusing on long-term business model evolution, and industry dislocations and trends, holding investments for several years to achieve substantial value-creation.
Concentrated Portfolio
We maintain a concentrated portfolio, with 50%-60% of assets in our top 10 positions, enabling significant engagement with chosen investments.
03Intensive Primary Research and Proprietary Due Diligence
Emphasis on Original Data
Our investment decisions are driven by fundamental research and primary data, allowing us to identify emerging companies poised for growth.
Proprietary Due Diligence
Our thorough research ensures a deep understanding of investments, leading to effective capital allocation and long-term value creation.
04Robust Risk Management and Compliance
Disciplined Risk Approach
Our disciplined risk management process addresses potential volatility, while also preventing forced sales at unfavorable times.
Independent Compliance
Our independent compliance team ensures rigorous oversight and adherence to global regulatory standards.
05Commitment to Long-Term Relationships and Low Turnover
Long-Term Investor
We maintain low portfolio turnover, reflecting our commitment to partnering with companies that we invest in and growing alongside them over time as they build their businesses.
Repeatability and Consistency
We consistently focus on our targeted investment universe to attain results.
06Trusted Partner to Investors
Transparent accountability
Driven to improve every day, we foster open two-way dialogue with our investors, sharing the insights and experience that inform our actions and receiving feedback from our investors in real-time.
Long-term approach
We aim to build enduring, genuine partnerships with our investors, mirroring the long-term investment horizon we hold for our portfolio companies.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this WFM Asia website (the “Website”) is provided for information purposes only. Under no circumstance should any material on this Website be used for or considered as an offer to sell or as a solicitation of an offer to sell or buy any interest in any investment fund managed or advised by WFM Asia. Nothing contained in this Website shall, or is intended to, be a recommendation or constitute financial, legal, accounting, tax or other advice.
The content of this Website has not been reviewed by the FCA, MAS, SEC, SFC, or any other regulatory authority. You are advised to exercise caution and if you are in doubt about the content of this Website, you should obtain independent professional advice.
To the best of its knowledge, WFM Asia believes information contained in this Website is current as at the date of publication. All information may be superseded by subsequent market events or for other reasons, and is subject to change without any notice. WFM Asia undertakes no obligation to update the information contained in this Website.
No representation or warranty, whether express or implied, is made on the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or quality of the information provided in this Website. WFM Asia expressly disclaims all liability for the use or interpretation by any party for the use of information contained in this Website.
Any reproduction of this Website or the information contained herein, in whole or in part, is prohibited. Prior permission is required for any use of materials on this Website. Any unauthorized use of the images on this Website may violate copyright laws, trademark laws, the laws of privacy and publicity, and communications regulations and statutes.
United Kingdom
WFM Asia (UK) Limited (FRN: 791722) is an appointed representative of Kroll Securities Ltd. (FRN: 466588) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. WFM Asia (UK) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of WFM Asia (BVI) Limited.
Privacy Policy
This notice describes the Privacy Policy of WFM Asia (BVI) Limited, WFM Asia (HK) Limited, its affiliates, and the funds under management (collectively “WFM Asia”). WFM Asia’s Privacy Policy describes: (i) the personal data we may collect from you; (ii) how that information is used; (iii) the security measures we take to safeguard information; (iv) with whom we may share it; and (iv) the rights available to you.
Personal Data Collected
WFM Asia may collect personal information from prospective, current, or former clients and investors, and each of their associated persons (collectively “Data Subjects”) during the course of its normal business, such as where it is necessary for WFM Asia’s performance of rights and obligations, and/or for compliance with a legal or regulatory obligation which WFM Asia is subject to. This personal information may be collected by way of any interaction with WFM Asia, for example, when providing investment management services, communicating information about its products and services, processing subscriptions or redemptions in its funds, and when visiting WFM Asia’s website. The personal information collected may include, but is not limited to, a Data Subject’s name, address, contact details, birthdate, identification numbers, identification documents, signatures, assets, net worth, income, bank account information, employer-related information, source of funds details, and details relating to a Data Subject’s investment activities (collectively “Personal Data”). WFM Asia may also obtain information about a Data Subject from publicly available sources, third parties or other sources. This might include any other information obtained through companies that have business relationships with WFM Asia, such as affiliates, business partners, background screening providers, sanctions screening, credit reference agencies, and law enforcement agencies.
Use of Personal Data Collected
WFM Asia may collect, use and process the Personal Data collected for any of the following purposes: (i) to administer or manage the products or services provided to the Data Subjects, including processing transactions to meet WFM Asia’s contractual obligations; (ii) to undertake normal business activities in order to offer WFM Asia’s services and manage assets on behalf of clients including, to maintain a directory of business contacts; (iii) to prepare investor disclosure materials; (iv) to protect the security or integrity of WFM Asia’s website and business; (v) to meet WFM Asia’s obligations under applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, notices or directions, and compliance with industry standards and policies; (vi) to comply with accounting, tax or audit requirements; and (vii) where it is necessary for WFM Asia’s legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and the interests and fundamental rights of the Data Subjects do not override those interests.
WFM Asia collects, processes, and uses Personal Data in reliance on the following lawful basis: (i) the express consent of the Data Subject; (ii) pursuant to a legitimate interest of WFM Asia; (iii) compliance with legal and regulatory obligations of WFM Asia; and (iv) to establish, exercise or defend WFM Asia’s legal rights or for the purpose of legal proceedings.
Security Measures
WFM Asia has implemented appropriate physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect Personal Data. These safeguards include only permitting authorized individuals, who have been advised as to the proper handling of Personal Data and who need to access such information to perform services, to have access to Personal Data. WFM Asia may transfer Personal Data across jurisdictions that have different regulatory standards for personal data protection and has in place appropriate data transfer safeguards where relevant and required. WFM Asia will retain Personal Data only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which WFM Asia collects the data, usually for the duration of any contractual relationship and for any period thereafter as required by applicable law or regulation, or to protect WFM Asia’s legal rights.
Information Sharing
WFM Asia may provide Personal Data to its affiliates and to other non-affiliated third-party service providers (collectively “Data Processors”). Examples of Data Processors may include, but are not limited to, fund administrators, broker-dealers, registrars, transfer agents, attorneys, accountants and auditors. WFM Asia will only provide Personal Data to Data Processors to the extent necessary to service investments, to process transactions for investments, or for other legitimate business, legal or regulatory purposes. WFM Asia has written agreements with its Data Processors to ensure an adequate level of protection for Personal Data. WFM Asia may also disclose Personal Data to regulatory authorities as required or permitted by applicable laws and regulations, and they, in turn, may exchange Personal Data with other regulatory authorities, including tax authorities.
WFM Asia does not otherwise provide Personal Data to outside firms, organizations or individuals except pursuant to the Data Subject’s express consent. WFM Asia does not sell Personal Data or use it for targeted advertising or profiling. WFM Asia will notify Data Subject(s) of any breach that is reasonably likely to result in a risk to the Data Subject’s interests, fundamental rights or freedom.
Rights and Access to Personal Data
Data Subjects may have certain rights in respect of their Personal Data held by WFM Asia. Depending on the applicable jurisdiction, these rights may include the right to access and retrieve their Personal Data, the right to request a correction of their Personal Data, and, to the extent that this does not conflict with other regulatory obligations, the right to request deletion of their Personal Data. Data Subjects may contact the Investor Relations team at [email protected] to exercise their applicable rights, or with any other questions in relation to this notice.