William Blair & Company, L.L.C. is an independent investment firm offering investment banking, equity research, institutional and private brokerage, asset management and private capital to individual, institutional and issuing clients. Since 1935, the Chicago-based firm has been dedicated to helping its clients achieve their financial objectives by providing quality products and services. Located in Chicago, Boston, Hartford, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Zurich, as of December 31, 2007 the firm had 170 employee-owners and more than $150 Million of equity capital.
The William Blair Funds are managed by the firm's Investment Management Department, which also offers separately managed accounts to private clients and institutional investors. This group includes 21 portfolio managers supported by 24 analysts. Assets under management as of September 30, 2008 were approximately $35 billion, including almost $10 billion in mutual funds.
What Makes William Blair & Company Different?
- Bottom-up Fundamental Research
An emphasis on thorough, fundamental research is integral to our investment approach. Our analysts and portfolio managers conduct extensive research on each company that is selected as an investment. This research often includes interviewing its management, suppliers, competitors, customers and former employees.
- Experienced Investment Professionals
Our mutual funds are run by seasoned, experienced portfolio managers, supported by top-notch analysts. Our investment management team consists of portfolio managers averaging over 24 years of industry experience and 13 years with William Blair.
- Independence and Employee Ownership
One of the most important assets of William Blair & Company is our culture of independence and employee-ownership. Most of our portfolio managers are principals in the firm and have an equity stake in the firm’s success. This philosophy has helped build a hard-working, results-oriented team of investment professionals with an exceptionally low turnover rate.
- William Blair & Company Resources
The portfolio managers of the William Blair Funds also benefit from William Blair & Company’s sell-side research, where 22 security analysts follow 380 growth-oriented companies in the United States and abroad. Our proprietary research is purchased by respected investment management organizations worldwide seeking an independent, quality point of view.
Funds in the News
Press Releases
Article Reprints
Contact Us
To learn more about William Blair & Company, you may want to visit our corporate website.