Released on: October 14, 2008, 3:42 am

Press Release Author: Maria Patterson

Industry: Financial

Press Release Summary: Aker Financial (www.akerfinancial.com) announced today the
expansion of their research team under the leadership of Mr. Mark Parker, an
accomplished hedge fund investment professional with extensive industry experience.


Press Release Body: Mark Parker named as Managing Director, Research and Investments
Aker Financial (www.akerfinancial.com) announced today the expansion of their
research team under the leadership of Mr. Mark Parker, an accomplished hedge fund
investment professional with extensive industry experience.
Parker joins Aker Financial as Managing Director, Research and Investments, with
responsibility for evaluating investment strategy and completing product review for
the Aker Financial platform of alternative investments.
"Mark's breadth of experience in alternative investments, with both major financial
institutions as well as private investment firms, complements the deep knowledge
base of our research team," said Matias Bersvendsen, President and CEO of Aker
Financial. "We are dedicated to maintaining a world-class research team, under
Parker's expert leadership, to accomplish our mission of providing high quality
alternative investments to wealth managers and high net worth investors."
Parker joins Aker Financial from his recent role as Managing Director, Head of Fund
of Funds Portfolio Management at Norway Alternative Investment Group. He has
significant experience in the alternative investment industry, particularly in the
area of identifying, selecting, and monitoring hedge fund managers across multiple
investment disciplines. He began his alternative investment career at Batler Capital
Management managing asset allocation and research for hedge fund multi-manager
products. Mr. Parker earned his BA in Finance from the University of Oslo and MBA
from the University of Michigan.
"Aker Financial offers clients a unique, open-architecture platform of alternative
investments, supported by extensive review and ongoing monitoring," said Parker. "I
am energized by the opportunity to join this team specializing in alternative
investments and to expand our in-depth research capabilities."
About Aker Financial
Aker Financial provides access to a platform of alternative investments designed to
meet the needs of sophisticated investors and their wealth managers. The Aker
Financial team of professionals is dedicated to finding, selecting and negotiating
capacity with selected hedge funds, managed futures funds, and other alternative
investments. Aker Financial has a single focus: helping our customers successfully
diversify and grow their assets by providing them with access to what we believe are
suitable, high quality alternative investments.


Web Site: http://www.akerfinancial.com

Contact Details: Maria Patterson: patterson@akerfinancial.com

Aker Financial AS
Kronprinsensgate 15
Oslo 0244
Norway
Tel: +47-21569209
Fax: +47-69795858
www.akerfinancial.com