Butterfield Asset Management Limited (BAM) has announced its appointment of International Asset Management (IAM), a UK-based firm specialising in alternative investment management, as the adviser for the Butterfield Select Fund - Alternative Class.

IAM is a well established and successful multi-manager investment group with a clearly defined, disciplined investment process that has evolved over the last 15 years. Their research intensive approach involves quantitative and qualitative analysis of alternative investments world-wide.

Butterfield Select is an umbrella fund designed to pass on to investors a high degree of diversification and flexibility in a cost efficient manner, while retaining the maximum advantage of well chosen, professionally managed long-term investments in three classes: Equity, Fixed Income and Alternative Investment Classes.

The Alternative Investments Class is intended to provide diversification and reduce the risk level of a traditional portfolio. Hedge funds and similar investments generally exhibit low correlation to the traditional equity and fixed income markets. Consequently they can provide protection during stock market downturns. Although hedge funds generally require a significant investment, a minimum of $1 million for example, Butterfield Select offers the opportunity to invest in this class with as little as $10,000. "Through this appointment, BAM and our clients may benefit from IAM's long term track record and considerable expertise in the area of hedge fund investing. Monitoring and choosing appropriate funds in the complex and growing field of alternative investments requires more sophisticated research than traditional investment decisions. The specialised perspective and resources of IAM can add value to Butterfield Select," said Ian Coulman, Managing Director, BAM. Alan Djanogly, Investment Director and Founder of International Asset Management, commented: "We are delighted to have been appointed as adviser to a well respected name such as Butterfield Asset Management and look forward to working with them on the Butterfield Select Fund."

BAM offers a range of eight mutual funds in the fixed income, balanced and equity categories including Butterfield Select.