Q & A with Clément Perrette, Senior Portfolio Manager of RAM Active Investments

World renowned financial expert Clément Perrette’s professional history reigns impressive within the financial sector, with various high-level positions with global leaders in the Capital Markets. With an initial foray into the sector via a coveted post-matriculation position at Worms & Cie, followed by an impressive run at Société Générale, Clément Perrette swiftly rose to greatness. Tasked with the creation, implementation, and continued development of STRIPs (zero coupon bonds) within the French, and subsequent European markets, Perrette quickly proved his mastery of the field.

After amassing valuable experiences within these roles, Perrette joined the ranks at Barclays, and played a pivotal role in transitioning the Barclays Capital EUR fund from a small player, to a top ranked fund, in terms of customer response, and profitability. Over a period of eleven years, Perrette rose within the company, eventually acting as the Managing Director.

In 2013, driven by a desire to explore other meaningful projects, and delve into the realm of asset management, Perrette joined the team at RAM Active Investments as a Managing Director. Responsible for portfolio management, Perrette grew the company’s initial $80 million USD fund into a staggering $210 million USD fund, with continuous growth to date.

In addition to his professional accolades, Perrette has also devoted much of his free time, and energy, into ocean conservation efforts, partaking in various impressive feats for the cause. Along with long-time friend Philip Hamilton, Perrette co-produced a three hundred image book, titled “Call Of The Blue”. This powerful book combined the works of various explorers, scientists, photographers, and other professionals keen on expressing the profound impact of oceans, marine life, and the flora and fauna that keep the delicate ecosystem existing.

Notably, Perrette also acted as the Executive Producer, alongside conservation group Uproar, on a film called “Ocean Souls”, which explored the lives of dolphins, and whales, and aimed to raise awareness of the animals’ importance within the ecosystem.

How did education shape your early career? How did you get interested in the world of finance?

I was always interested in learning, and felt compelled to solve problems that were presented to me. Mathematics drew me in, and provided me with the dogged persistence to resolve any problem, knowing there must be a logical, and methodical answer to all quandaries. I excelled within my formal education, and eventually went on to receive my Bachelor’s Degree in Math, followed by a Civil Engineering degree specialized in applied Mathematics and Computer Science. Finally, I completed my formal education by garnering a Master of Finance degree from HEC Paris, located in Jouy-en-Josas. From there, I remained in the field until this very day. Some people change their profession many times throughout a lifetime, but I was fortunate to find a particular field of interest so early in my life.

What characteristics, and business practices, would you cite as being responsible for your many professional successes?

I have always cited the ability to remain flexible within any position as a needed characteristic for success. Within the world of finance, one can often believe that they have the answer to everything, and get ahead of oneself. Thus, I have always found it crucial to formulate a theory, but to then openly examine the theory, and be prepared to alter the theory based on gained knowledge. Exercising this pattern throughout my professional endeavors has not only taught me patience in pulling the proverbial trigger on large decisions, but has also taught me the importance of fully researching a topic beyond my own initial understandings, intuitions, and beliefs.

Additionally, I believe it is crucial to bond, and forge strong long-term relationships within any professional field. In any professional position, even one that does not require extensive group work, there is a level of co-working that must exist between numerous parties, all cogs in the grand wheel, in order to garner results. Thus, one must be able to proactively work with others, for the benefit of the greater good.

How do you deal with competitors within your field?

Quite honestly, I believe there is always something to be learned from competitors. If a particular competing business revamps their marketing strategy, and is met with seemingly explosive positive results, there is much to be learned from their strategies. In turn, by examining these strategies, and implementing any that may be of use, there is betterment amongst the field in general, further propelling the field to new standards, and continuous growth.

In 2011, between positions at Barclays, you were granted some time off to relocate. How did you spend that time, and what effects has this experience brought upon you?

That is correct. At the time, I relocated my family to Paris, and received some time to transition. During that time, I welcomed the opportunity to pursue a personal passion of mine, and found myself renting a forty seven foot boat, called Cruising Bird. I sailed this vessel across the Atlantic for a total span of nearly four months, exploring the Basque Country, Portugal, Madeira Islands, Cabo Verde and the West Indies.

This time had a profound effect on me, and allowed me to realize my passion for ocean conservation. Since I was a small child, I loved the ocean, sea animals, and the expansive nature of the never ending seas. I wanted to spend as much time as possible exploring the waters. Throughout adulthood, this became increasingly difficult. However, being on the water for four months sparked, or renewed, my passion for the ocean. From that time, I knew I wanted to devote more time to philanthropic endeavors aiming to increase awareness about dolphin and whale hunting, the impact of climate change on ocean life, and the urgent need to spearhead conservation efforts worldwide.

Speaking of global warming, and individuals impacting nature, what do you think is the biggest misconception about the topic?

Speaking in generalities, many individuals from well educated nations are well versed on the very real effects of global warming, climate change, and the imminent negative impacts of continued climate change. Globally, though, there are many people throughout developing nations who do not understand this concept. Thus, they would greatly benefit from increased awareness, educational opportunities, and modeling of behavior based on the common behavior of others.

Thus, it is crucial for everyone to do their part, for the benefit of normalizing socially aware consumption habits, leading by example. There lies a misconception that creating change will take decades, and that one’s behavior throughout a short period of time will not lead to any surmountable change. This concept is vastly untrue, as the behavior that individuals model today will serve directly to develop the standards for larger scale behavior tomorrow.

You’ve been very involved in developing artfully created masterpieces that serve a philanthropic purpose. Can you tell us about “Call Of The Blue” and “Ocean Souls”, and the way in which these projects have been impactful?

Together with Philip Hamilton, I co-produced the book “Call Of The Blue”, which contains over three hundreds beautiful, haunting, eye-opening, and profound images, was a way to effectively spread a vastly critical message through imagery. Combining the talents, efforts, and passions of dozens of professionals dedicated to the cause of ocean preservation, the book aims to showcase the vast damage that has already been done to our precious ocean resources, and to encourage the general public to take action to save the precious ecosystem of the world’s oceans. Topics range from the dwindling population of large fish in today’s ocean, roughly only 10% of the volume of the past, to the disappearance of half of the world’s coral reefs, and the subsequent fishing practices, climate change, and pollution that propel this ongoing massacre on nature.

Upon the completion of this project, I teamed up with Uproar, and acted as an Executive Producer on the exploratory film “Ocean Souls”, which examines the lives of dolphins and whales, delving into their unique intelligence, communication skills, importance within the ecosystem, and to raise awareness of the hunting practices in Iceland and Japan. Through this film, our goal is to raise the public’s awareness of these ongoing practices that destroy beautiful sea life, and to ultimately stop the hunting practices.

In terms of your philanthropic ventures, what’s next?

On an almost continuous scale, I have been getting more involved in my philanthropic ventures, and dedicate a large amount of time to conservation efforts. After successfully teaming up with Uproar for “Ocean Souls”, I immediately felt connected to the cause, and to that particular calling. Thus, I am currently in the process of joining Uproar as a non-executive Board Member. The Uproar Fund, a non-profit fund that raises contributions, and awareness, for various conservation efforts, is a cause that is near to my heart, and I look forward to further providing my time, energy, and skill to bettering the cause.

In terms of your professional life, what’s next?

Since 2016, I have been working as a portfolio manager, and Managing Director at RAM Active Investments. Since the beginning of my engagement with the company, I have made notable strides in providing stable growth, diversification of the global Fixed Income fund, and overall success within the company. After embarking on a professional journey within Global Markets for over twenty years, asset management has allowed me to think on my feet, and experience a somewhat differing professional flow. I’ve been professionally fulfilled on this journey, and fully intend to continue to enjoy this new endeavor.

 As an entrepreneur, what advice would you give to fellow individuals within the realm of finance?

Generally speaking, I would encourage anyone entering this field to always listen. There is so much to be learned from others, and there is constant change occurring within the field. Therefore, it is crucial to not only stay abreast of these changes from a competitive standpoint, but to also listen carefully to the desires of clients, customers, peers, and advisors.

Additionally, I would also encourage all entrepreneurs to bond, socialize, and create mutually beneficial long-term relationships, not only with peers within the same industry, but with people on a much more generalized front. Often, especially within the realm of my philanthropic endeavors, I call upon my network for raising capital, garnering action, or receiving support and insight related to very specific issues. Through a very wide network of leaders within all niches of professional life, I am able to garner support in legal matters, global engagements, marketing and branding, and many other important facets of creating successful campaigns. Thus, I would advise all entrepreneurs to never underestimate the power of creating long-term relationships.

For more information check out Perrette’s website.