Blackstone Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund NON-DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT SUB- ADVISORY AGREEMENT
Exhibit d.22
Blackstone Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund
NON-DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, effective as of , between Blackstone Alternative Investment Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”), and Gracian Capital LLC, a limited liability company based in San Diego, California (the “Sub-Adviser”).
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Blackstone Alternative Investment Funds, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of its series, Blackstone Alternative Multi-Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), relating to the provision of portfolio management services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser may retain agents to provide investment consulting advice to the Adviser in connection with its portfolio management responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, in selecting sub-investment advisers and entering into and amending sub-advisory agreements, the Adviser and the Trust may rely upon an exemptive order obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), provided that the Adviser and the Trust comply with the terms and conditions set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of the Trust desire to retain the Sub-Adviser to render non-discretionary investment advisory services to the Fund in the manner and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agree as follows:
1. | Appointment. |
a. | Role of Sub-Adviser. The Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to provide non-discretionary investment advisory services to the Adviser, subject to the oversight and direction of the Board, for so long as this Agreement remains in effect. The non-discretionary services provided by Sub-Adviser will apply to the portion of Fund assets that the Adviser shall from time to time designate (the “Allocated Portion”), which may be increased or decreased by the Adviser at any time in its sole discretion. The Sub-Adviser shall consult the Adviser with respect to the Fund’s purchase and sale of securities, derivatives, and/or other investments. For the avoidance of doubt, the Adviser will retain all trading authority and discretion over the Allocated Portion. Further, neither the execution of this Agreement nor the execution of transactions on behalf of the Fund based on investment advice from the Sub-Adviser shall obligate the Adviser, the Fund, or any affiliate thereof to proceed with any further investment advice from Sub-Adviser, and Adviser shall make such determination with respect to further investment advice in its sole discretion. Sub-Adviser shall provide |
non- discretionary investment advisory services in accordance with such consulting strategies and within such limitations, as the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser shall agree from time to time as described in Appendix A (the “Consulting Strategy”). The Sub-Adviser hereby accepts such appointment and agrees during such period, subject to the oversight of the Board and the Adviser, to render the services and to assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation stated in Section 4 hereof. The Sub-Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority or obligation to act for or represent the Adviser, the Trust, or the Fund in any way. |
b. | Limitations of Sub-Adviser’s Responsibility. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for advising the Adviser with respect to the Fund’s investment program other than the implementation of the Consulting Strategy with respect to the Allocated Portion. |
c. | Sub-Advisory Arrangement Not Exclusive for Fund and Sub-Adviser. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Adviser may appoint from time to time other sub-advisers in addition to the Sub-Adviser to manage the assets of the Fund that do not constitute the Allocated Portion and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to grant the Sub-Adviser an exclusive arrangement to act as the sole sub-adviser to the Fund. It is further acknowledged and agreed that the Adviser makes no commitment to designate any portion of the Fund’s assets to the Sub-Adviser as the Allocated Portion. The Adviser also recognizes that the Sub-Adviser may be or become associated with other investment entities and engage in investment management for others. Except to the extent necessary to perform its obligations hereunder, nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Sub-Adviser to devote any minimum amount of time or attention to the management of the Allocated Portion. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Sub-Adviser to engage in, or to devote time and attention to the management of any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association. The Sub-Adviser may give advice or take action with respect to other investment entities that it manages that differs from the advice given with respect to the Allocated Portion. |
2. | Sub-Adviser Duties. |
The Sub-Adviser is hereby granted (subject to the limitations expressed) the following authority and undertakes to provide the following services and to assume the following obligations:
a. | Non-Discretionary Investment Advice. With respect to the Allocated Portion, Sub-Adviser shall advise the Adviser with respect to purchases and sales of securities, derivatives, and/or other investments for the Fund. In furnishing the services hereunder, the Sub-Adviser will be subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board. The Adviser retains complete authority, to the extent |
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permitted under the Advisory Agreement, to immediately assume direct responsibility for any function delegated to the Sub-Adviser under this Agreement. |
b. | Specific Strategy Guidelines and Restrictions. The Sub-Adviser shall adhere to the Consulting Strategy stated in Appendix A hereof, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. |
c. | Management Consultation in Accordance with Agreement and Applicable Law. The Sub-Adviser will consult with the Adviser with respect to the Allocated Portion subject to and in accordance with: |
i. | the Consulting Strategy; |
ii. | all requirements applicable to registered investment companies under applicable laws, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder applicable to qualification as a “regulated investment company”; |
iii. | any service level agreement that may be agreed between the parties from time to time; and |
d. | any written instructions which the Adviser or the Board may reasonably issue to the Sub-Adviser from time to time and to which the Sub-Adviser does not object within a reasonable amount of time. |
e. | Proxy Voting. The parties hereto hereby agree that the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for proxy voting or other consent determinations with respect to the issuers of securities or other instruments held in the Allocated Portion. It is acknowledged and agreed that the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for the filing of claims (or otherwise causing the Fund to participate) in class action settlements or similar proceedings in which shareholders may participate related to securities or other instruments currently or previously associated with the Allocated Portion. |
f. | Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser will maintain a written code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act (“Rule 17j-1”), a copy of which will be provided to the Adviser and the Fund, and will institute procedures reasonably necessary to prevent any Access Person (as defined in Rule 17j-1) from violating its Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser will follow such Code of Ethics in performing its services under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser also will certify quarterly to the Trust on behalf of the Fund and the Adviser that it and its “Advisory Persons” (as defined in Rule 17j-1) have complied materially with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 during the previous quarter or, if not, explain what the Sub-Adviser has done to seek to ensure such compliance in the future. Annually, the Sub-Adviser will furnish a written report, which complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 and Rule 38a- |
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1, concerning its Code of Ethics and compliance program, respectively, to the Trust and the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall notify the Adviser promptly upon becoming aware of any material violation of the Code of Ethics involving the Fund. Upon request of the Board or the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser with respect to violations of the Code of Ethics directly affecting the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will permit representatives of the Trust or the Adviser to examine reports (or summaries of the reports) required to be made by Rule 17j-1 relating to enforcement of the Code of Ethics. The Sub-Adviser will provide such additional information regarding violations of the Code of Ethics as the Board or the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser may reasonably request in order to assess the functioning of the Code of Ethics or any harm caused to the Fund from a violation of the Code of Ethics, but reserving the right to assert all applicable legal privileges, provided that such assertion does not conflict with the Fund’s or the Board’s compliance with applicable law or any confidentiality obligations. Further, the Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that it has policies and procedures regarding the detection and prevention of the misuse of material, nonpublic information by the Sub-Adviser and its employees. |
g. | Sub-Adviser Review of Materials. Upon the Adviser’s reasonable advance request, the Sub-Adviser shall review and comment upon selected portions of the Registration Statement relating to the Sub-Adviser and/or Consulting Strategy, and ancillary sales and marketing materials prepared by the Adviser for the Fund (with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s provision of the services under this Agreement or the Consulting Strategy). The Sub-Adviser will promptly inform the Fund and the Adviser upon becoming aware that any information in the Registration Statement relating to the Sub-Adviser or the Consulting Strategyis (or will become) inaccurate or incomplete. |
h. | Regulatory Communications and Notices. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser regarding any non-routine inspections, notices or inquiries from any governmental, administrative or self-regulatory agency, including without limitation, any deficiency letter, responses to deficiency letters or similar communications or actions relating to (i) the Sub-Adviser’s advice with respect to the Allocated Portion or that otherwise relate to the Fund or (ii) that involve matters that could reasonably be viewed as material to the Sub-Adviser’s ability to provide services to the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall not be required to provide the Adviser notice of any routine exams or sweep exams conducted by any governmental, administrative or self-regulatory agency unless such exams relate to (i) the Sub-Adviser’s advice with respect to the Allocated Portion or that otherwise relate to the Fund or (ii) that involve matters that could reasonably be viewed as material to the Sub-Adviser’s ability to provide services to the Fund. |
i. | Notice of Material Actions / Change in Control. The Sub-Adviser will keep the Trust and the Adviser informed of developments of which the Sub-Adviser has, or should have, knowledge that would materially affect the Fund. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Adviser in writing of the occurrence of any of the |
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following events (i) it is served or otherwise receives notice of, or is threatened with, any material action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in equity, before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory agency, or public board or body, (A) involving the affairs of the Fund or (B) that may reasonably be expected to materially affect the business of the Sub-Adviser and (ii) any change in the partners of the Sub-Adviser or in the actual control or management of the Sub-Adviser or change in the portfolio manager(s) primarily responsible for the day-to-day advice with respect to the Allocated Portion. |
3. | Books and Records; Periodic Reports. |
a. | Maintenance Requirements. The Sub-Adviser shall maintain such books and records with respect to the research and other information used to generate trade ideas recommended by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser for the Allocated Portion as are required by law, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act (including, without limitation, the investment records and ledgers required by Rule 31a-1) and the Advisers Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Fund’s Books and Records”). The Sub-Adviser agrees that the Fund’s Books and Records are the Fund’s property and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust or the Adviser the Fund’s Books and Records upon the request of the Board or the Adviser; provided, however, that the Sub-Adviser may retain copies of the Fund’s Books and Records at its own cost. The Sub-Adviser shall make the Fund’s Books and Records available for inspection and use by the SEC and other regulatory authorities having authority over the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or any person retained by the Board at all reasonable times as requested in advance by the Adviser or the Board. Where applicable, the Fund’s Books and Records shall be maintained by the Sub-Adviser for the periods required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act. In the event of the termination of this Agreement, the Fund’s Books and Records will be returned to the Trust or the Adviser. The Adviser and Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer shall, upon reasonable advance notice, be provided with access to the Sub-Adviser’s documentation and records relating to the Fund and copies of such documentation and records. |
b. | Periodic Reports. The Sub-Adviser shall (i) render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board or the Adviser may reasonably request and the Sub-Adviser may agree; and (ii) meet with any persons at the reasonable request of the Adviser or the Board for the purpose of reviewing the Sub-Adviser’s services under this Agreement upon reasonable advance notice. |
4. | Compensation of the Sub-Adviser. |
The Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser for its services with respect to the Fund the compensation specified in Appendix B to this Agreement.
5. | Allocation of Charges and Expenses. |
The Sub-Adviser shall bear its expenses of providing services pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Sub-Adviser’s operating and overhead
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expenses attributable to its duties hereunder. It is understood that the Fund will pay all expenses other than those expressly stated to be payable by the Sub-Adviser hereunder or by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, which such expenses payable by the Fund shall include, without limitation, those set forth in Section 4 of the Advisory Agreement.
6. | Standard of Care; Breach. |
a. | Standard of Care. The Sub-Adviser will act in good faith and use reasonable care and act in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws and regulations in rendering the services it has agreed to provide under this Agreement. |
7. | Notification, Curing Breach. The Sub-Adviser shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Adviser in curing any regulatory or compliance breaches or breaches of this Agreement as promptly as possible. The Sub-Adviser will notify the Adviser as soon as reasonably practicable upon detection of a material breach by the Sub-Adviser of applicable law or this Agreement.Use of Names. |
a. | Adviser’s and Fund’s Use of Sub-Adviser Name. For so long as the Fund remains in existence, the Adviser and the Fund shall have a royalty-free license to use the name of the Sub-Adviser, including any short-form of such name, or any combination or derivation thereof, for the purpose of identifying the Sub-Adviser as a sub-adviser to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Adviser, the Fund and the Fund’s selling agents will use such names in marketing the Fund to current and prospective investors. The Adviser and the Fund shall cease to use the name of the Sub-Adviser in any newly printed materials (except as may, in the sole discretion of the Adviser, be reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law) promptly upon termination of this Agreement with respect to the Fund. During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser shall have the right, upon reasonable request and at its own expense, to review all sales and other marketing materials utilizing the name of the Sub-Adviser and any combination or derivation thereof, provided, however, that if the Sub-Adviser fails to comment in writing (including via e-mail) by the end of the fifth business day after delivery of such materials, the Sub-Adviser will be deemed to have granted consent on the end of the fifth business day following delivery of such materials to the Sub-Adviser for approval. |
b. | Restrictions on Use of Adviser’s Name. The Sub-Adviser shall not use the name of the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, “Blackstone Alternative Asset Management L.P.” or “Blackstone” (or any combination or derivation thereof) in any material relating to the Sub-Adviser in any manner not approved prior thereto in writing by the Adviser (other than inclusions of such entities in lists of the Sub-Adviser’s clients). Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser represents and warrants that it will not make, or cause or allow any of its affiliates to make, any oral or written statement to any third party that disparages, defames, or reflects adversely upon the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, as applicable. |
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8. | Liability and Indemnification. |
a. | Absent (i) the Sub-Adviser’s breach of this Agreement, or (ii) the willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Sub-Adviser, or its officers, directors, partners, agents, employees, and controlling persons, the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained. |
b. | The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that it has received notice of and accepts the limitations upon the Fund’s liability set forth in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended. The Sub-Adviser agrees that any of the Fund’s obligations shall be limited to the assets of the Fund and that the Sub-Adviser shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Fund nor from any other series of the Trust or any Trustees or officer, employee, or agent of the Fund or other series of the Trust. |
c. | The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify the Fund and the Adviser and each of their respective trustees, members, officers, employees, and shareholders, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against, and hold them harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees and disbursements) (collectively, “Losses”) asserted by any third party in so far as such Losses (or actions with respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon (i) any actual material misstatement or omission in the Fund’s Registration Statement, any proxy statement, or communication to current or prospective investors in the Fund relating to disclosure provided to the Adviser or the Fund by the Sub-Adviser for inclusion in such documents; or (ii) the bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Sub-Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties hereunder. The Fund is a third party beneficiary of the indemnity granted in this Section 8(c) and the indemnity is intended to cover claims by the Fund or the Adviser against the Sub-Adviser for recovery pursuant to this section. |
d. | The Adviser shall indemnify the Sub-Adviser and each of its partners/members, officers, employees and shareholders, and each person, if any, who controls the Sub-Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against, and hold them harmless from, any and all Losses asserted by any third party in so far as such Losses (or actions with respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon (i) any actual material misstatement or omission in the Fund’s Registration Statement, any proxy statement, or communication to current or prospective investors in the Fund (other than a misstatement or omission relating to disclosure provided to the Adviser or the Fund by the Sub-Adviser for inclusion in such documents); (ii) any action or inaction by the Sub-Adviser that the Sub-Adviser has made or refrained from making, as applicable, in good faith pursuant to and consistent with the Adviser’s written instructions to the Sub-Adviser; or (iii) the |
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bad faith, willful misconduct, or gross negligence by the Adviser in the performance of its duties under this Agreement or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties hereunder. |
e. | Promptly after receipt of notice of any action, arbitration, claim, demand, dispute, investigation, lawsuit, or other proceeding (each a “Proceeding”) by a party seeking to be indemnified under Section 8(c) or 8(d) (the “Indemnified Party”), the Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against a party against whom indemnification is sought under Section 8(c) or 8(d) (the “Indemnifying Party”) notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement of such Proceeding; provided that, the failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any indemnification liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party. No Indemnifying Party shall be liable under this section for any settlement of any Proceeding entered into without its consent with respect to which indemnity may be sought hereunder. |
f. | The rights of indemnification provided in this section shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any person may be entitled by contract or otherwise by law. |
9. | Sub-Adviser Insurance. |
The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will maintain at its own expense an errors and omissions insurance policy with respect to the Sub-Adviser in a commercially reasonable amount based upon the amount of assets managed by the Sub-Adviser and commercial general liability insurance in a commercially reasonable amount. The foregoing policies shall be issued by insurance companies that maintain an A.M. Best rating of A- or higher, or are otherwise acceptable to the Adviser in its reasonable discretion. Any and all deductibles specified in the above-referenced insurance policies shall be assumed by the Sub-Adviser.
10. | Representations of the Sub-Adviser. |
The Sub-Adviser represents, warrants and further covenants as follows:
a. | Duly Organized / Good Standing. It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, and has such licenses, registrations or approvals as is required to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement, and that it shall maintain such licenses, registrations or approvals for the duration of this Agreement and manage its operations in compliance with all applicable laws. |
b. | Authority. The execution, delivery and performance by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement are within the Sub-Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of its governing body (i.e., its partners or board of directors/trustees/members), and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Sub- |
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Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Sub-Adviser does not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation applicable to the Sub-Adviser, (ii) the Sub-Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Sub-Adviser. Any individuals whose signatures are affixed to this Agreement on behalf of the Sub-Adviser have full authority and power to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Sub-Adviser. |
c. | Enforceable Agreement. This Agreement is enforceable against the Sub-Adviser in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. |
d. | Registered Investment Adviser. The Sub-Adviser (i) is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act; (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring, and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, and will provide notice promptly to the Adviser of any material violations relating to the Fund; (v) has materially met and will seek to continue to materially meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency; and (vi) will promptly notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Sub-Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. |
e. | No Material Pending Actions. To the best of its knowledge, there are no material pending, threatened, or contemplated actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations before or by any court, governmental, administrative or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel to which it or any of its directors, officers, employees, partners, shareholders, members or principals, or any of its affiliates is a party or to which it or its affiliates or any of its or its affiliates’ assets are subject, nor has it or any of its affiliates received any notice of an investigation, inquiry, or dispute by any court, governmental, administrative, or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel regarding any of its or their respective activities which might reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Fund, a material adverse change in the Sub-Adviser’s financial or business prospects, or which might reasonably be expected to materially impair the Sub-Adviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement. |
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f. | ADV. It has provided the Adviser with a copy of its Form ADV and will, promptly after making any amendment to its Form ADV, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser. |
g. | Change in Key Personnel. The Sub-Adviser shall promptly notify the Adviser of any changes in its executive officers, partners or in its key personnel, or if there is an actual or expected change in control or management of the Sub-Adviser. |
h. | Material Non-Public Information. Sub-Adviser (i) is aware of federal securities laws prohibiting trading in securities while in possession of material non-public information (“MNPI”) as well as communicating MNPI to others who may trade on the basis of such information; (ii) is not currently in possession of MNPI regarding the investments that it may recommend for the Allocated Portion; (iii) understands that the Adviser does not wish to receive MNPI; (iv) will not provide the Adviser with MNPI unless otherwise agreed by the Adviser and (v) represents that execution of this Agreement will not cause a breach of any confidentiality or other legal or contractual duty or other obligation that the Sub-Adviser may have to any party. |
i. | No Untrue Statements or Omissions. The information provided by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser in writing shall not, to the knowledge of the Sub-Adviser, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the information not misleading. |
j. | Ongoing Representations and Warranties. If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, it discovers any fact or omission, or any event or change of circumstances has occurred, which would make any of its representations and warranties in this Agreement inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, the Sub-Adviser will provide prompt written notification to the Adviser of such fact, omission, event, or change of circumstance, and the facts related thereto. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Adviser in the event that: (i) the Sub-Adviser makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is otherwise adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a material event occurs with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s business that could reasonably be expected to adversely impact the Sub-Adviser’s ability to perform its duties under this Agreement. |
11. | Representations of the Adviser. |
The Adviser represents, warrants and further covenants as follows:
a. | Duly Organized / Good Standing. It is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which failure to be so qualified would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect upon it. |
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b. | Authority. The execution, delivery and performance by the Adviser of this Agreement are within the Adviser’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action, and no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official is required on the part of the Adviser for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Adviser does not contravene or constitute a default under (i) any provision of applicable law, rule or regulation applicable to the Adviser, (ii) the Adviser’s governing instruments, or (iii) any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instruments binding upon the Adviser. Any individuals whose signatures are affixed to this Agreement on behalf of the Adviser have full authority and power to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Adviser. |
c. | Enforceable Agreement. This Agreement is enforceable against the Adviser in accordance with its terms, subject as to enforcement to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium, and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles. |
d. | Registered Investment Adviser; CFTC Registration. The Adviser (i) is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered for so long as this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement with the Trust remain in effect, (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act or the Advisers Act from performing the services contemplated by the Advisory Agreement with the Trust, (iii) has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer under Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, (iv) has adopted written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act from occurring and correct promptly any violations that have occurred, (v) has materially met and will seek to continue to materially meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal or state requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, and (vi) will promptly notify the Sub-Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from serving as an investment adviser of a registered investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act. The Adviser is duly registered as a commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor with the CFTC and is a member in good standing of the National Futures Association, and will maintain such registration and membership in good standing for so long as this Agreement remains in effect or will be exempt from such registration and membership. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as further set forth in Appendix A, Sub-Adviser will not provide commodity trading advice with respect to the Allocated Portion. |
e. | No Material Pending Actions. To the best of its knowledge, there are no material pending, threatened, or contemplated actions, suits, proceedings, or investigations before or by any court, governmental, administrative, or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel to which it or any of its affiliates, is a party or to which it or any of its affiliates or assets are subject, nor has it or any |
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of its affiliates received any notice of an investigation, inquiry, or dispute by any court, governmental, administrative, or self-regulatory body, board of trade, exchange, or arbitration panel regarding any of their respective activities which might reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the Adviser’s financial or business prospects or which might reasonably be expected to materially impair the Adviser’s ability to discharge its obligations under this Agreement or the Advisory Agreement with the Trust. |
f. | Ongoing Representations and Warranties. If, at any time during the term of this Agreement, it discovers any fact or omission, or any event or change of circumstances has occurred, which would make any of its representations and warranties in this Agreement inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect, it will provide prompt written notification to the Sub-Adviser of such fact, omission, event, or change of circumstance, and the facts related thereto. The Adviser agrees that it will provide prompt notice to the Sub-Adviser in the event that: (i) the Adviser makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is otherwise adjudged bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction; or (ii) a material event occurs that could reasonably be expected to adversely impact the Adviser’s ability to perform this Agreement. |
12. | Renewal, Termination and Amendment. |
a. | Renewal. This Agreement shall continue in effect until two years from the effectiveness date, and thereafter for successive periods of no more than twelve (12) months each, only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a vote of the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) or of any person party to this Agreement, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of such approval. |
b. | Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time without payment of any penalty (i) by the Board, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser; (ii) by the Sub-Adviser upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Adviser and the Fund; or (iii) by the Adviser upon 61 days’ written notice to the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated, without the payment of any penalty, by the Adviser immediately upon (A) a material breach by the Sub-Adviser of this Agreement which is not cured pursuant to Section 6 hereof; or (B) at the discretion of the Adviser, if the Sub-Adviser or any officer, director or key portfolio manager of the Sub-Adviser is accused in any regulatory, self-regulatory or judicial proceeding violating the federal securities laws or engaging in criminal conduct. This Agreement may also terminate if mutually agreed upon by both the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately upon termination of the Advisory Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate automatically and immediately in the event of its assignment. The terms |
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“assignment,” “interested person” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the meaning set forth for such terms in the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser, subject to approval by the Board (including approval by those Trustees that are not “interested persons” of the Trust) and, if required by the 1940 Act or applicable SEC rules and regulations, a vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended or terminated in accordance with any exemptive order issued to the Adviser, the Trust or its affiliates. It is understood that from time to time the Allocated Portion may be zero. This Agreement does not terminate in the event that no Allocated Portion is available for the Sub-Adviser. |
c. | Consequences of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement, Sections 3, 7, 8, 10, , and 20(b) shall survive such termination of this Agreement. Section 12 of this Agreement shall survive for a period of two (2) years following termination of this Agreement. Any Fees calculated in accordance with this Agreement accrued up to the date of termination and not yet paid by such date of termination shall, notwithstanding termination, be payable at the next following payment in accordance with this Agreement. |
d. | Amendment. This Agreement may be amended at any time by the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser. Except as otherwise set forth herein, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor consent to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless in writing and signed by all of the parties hereto; provided that any waiver so granted shall extend only to the specific event or occurrence so waived and not to any other similar event or occurrence which occurs subsequent to the date of such waiver. |
e. | Assignment. No assignment of this Agreement may be made by either party to this Agreement without the written consent of the other party. |
13. | Confidentiality. |
a. | Except as expressly authorized in this Agreement or as required by applicable law, regulation or court order, each party hereto and its affiliates (each, for purposes of this section, the “Recipient Party”) shall keep confidential and shall not use or disclose, except with the consent of the other party hereto (each, for purposes of this section, the “Disclosing Party”), any and all non-public, proprietary or confidential information concerning the business of the Disclosing Parties and/or their affiliates or investors, or potential investors, therein obtained in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement (the “Information”); provided that the Recipient Party may make such disclosure to its directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, advisors, or representatives, including legal and compliance personnel (collectively, the “Representatives”) who (i) need to know the Information in connection with this Agreement, (ii) have been informed of the confidential nature of such Information and (iii) have been |
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advised that such Information is to be kept confidential and not used for any other purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust and the Adviser shall be permitted to disclose Information to any third party in connection with the operation of the Fund that is subject to an obligation of confidentiality or a non-disclosure agreement. The term “Information” will not include information that (i) is or becomes publicly available other than as a result of a disclosure by the Recipient Party in violation of this section; (ii) is or becomes available to the Recipient Party or its Representatives from a source other than the Disclosing Party, which source, to the knowledge of the Recipient Party or its Representatives, does not have an obligation of confidentiality to the Disclosing Party with respect to such information; (iii) was already in the Recipient Party’s possession or the possession of its Representatives prior to receiving such information from the Disclosing Party; or (iv) is developed independently by the Recipient Party or its Representatives without use of the Information. Subject to the conditions set forth herein, none of the confidentiality provisions in this section are intended to limit the activities of The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates who are not involved in Adviser’s asset management business, provided, however, that in the event the Information is made available to a representative of The Blackstone Group L.P. and its affiliates, such representative shall be bound by the provisions of this section. |
b. | Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall exercise the same standard of care that it uses to protect its own confidential and proprietary information, but no less than reasonable care, to protect the confidentiality of the Information. |
c. | Each Recipient Party acknowledges the global nature of each Disclosing Party’s businesses and the efforts the Disclosing Parties undertake to develop, preserve and protect their Information and their business and competitive advantage and goodwill. Accordingly, each Recipient Party acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions, limitations and obligations in this section are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the legitimate business interests of the Disclosing Parties and their affiliates. Each Recipient Party also acknowledges that the Disclosing Parties would not have entered into this Agreement unless the Recipient Party agreed to such restrictions, limitations, and obligations. |
14. | Notices. |
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all communications under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed duly given and received when delivered personally, when sent by facsimile or e-mail transmission or three days after being deposited for next-day delivery with an internationally recognized overnight international delivery service, properly addressed to the party to receive such notice at the party’s address specified herein, or at any other address that any party may designate by notice to the others.
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Sub-Adviser:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Capital LLC
00000 Xx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
By Email: XXxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Adviser:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
The Blackstone Group X.X.
Xxxxxxxxxx Alternative Investment Advisors LLC
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
with a copy (which does not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Ropes & Xxxx LLP
Prudential Tower
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
By Email:
XXXXXxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
15. | Severability. |
If any provision of this Agreement is held by any court to be invalid, void or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the other provisions shall remain unaffected and shall continue in full force and effect, provided that the Agreement, as so modified, continues to express, without material change, the original intent of the parties and deletion of such provision will not substantially impair the respective rights and obligations of the parties, and if any provision is inapplicable to any person or circumstance, it shall nevertheless remain applicable to all other persons and circumstances.
16. | Business Continuity. |
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain business continuity, disaster recovery, and backup capabilities and facilities, through which the Sub-Adviser will be able to perform its obligations hereunder with minimal disruptions or delays. Upon request, the Sub-Adviser shall provide to the Adviser copies of its written business continuity, disaster recovery and backup plan(s) (or summaries thereof) or sufficient information and written certification regarding such plans to satisfy the Adviser and Fund’s reasonable inquiries and to assist the Fund and the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund in complying with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Sub-Adviser represents that it
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tests its business continuity and disaster recovery plan(s) on at least an annual basis, and shall, at the Adviser’s request, provide the Adviser with information regarding the results of its testing (or summaries thereof).
17. | Limitation on Consultation. |
In accordance with Rule 12d3-1 and Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law or regulation, the Sub-Adviser is not permitted to consult with any other sub-adviser to the Fund or any sub-adviser to any other portion of the Fund or to any other investment company or investment company series for which the Adviser serves as investment adviser concerning transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets.
18. | Lists of Affiliated Persons. |
The Adviser shall provide the Sub-Adviser with a list of each entity that is both (i) an “affiliated person,” as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Adviser and (ii) a broker, dealer, or entity that is engaged in the business of underwriting, or a registered investment adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Adviser with a list of each person who is an “affiliated person”, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, of the Sub-Adviser. Each of the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser agrees promptly to update such list whenever the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser becomes aware of any changes that should be added to or deleted from such list of affiliated persons.
19. | Cooperation. |
The Sub-Adviser shall cooperate reasonably with the Adviser for purposes of (i) filing any required reports, and responding to regulatory requests, with the SEC or such other regulator having appropriate jurisdiction; (ii) assessing the fair value of securities or other instruments held in the Allocated Portion for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the Adviser or the Board has otherwise determined to fair value such portfolio holdings; (iii) ensuring the orderly daily operation of the Fund (including, without limitation, assisting with preparation of regulatory filings and responding to regulatory requests); and (iv) rendering such reports to the Board and the Adviser as they may reasonably request concerning the activities of the Sub-Adviser with respect to the Allocated Portion. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall timely provide to the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, all information and documentation they may reasonably request as necessary or appropriate in order for the Adviser and the Board to oversee the activities of the Sub-Adviser and to comply with applicable law, including, without limitation, (i) within 5 business days of a quarter-end, a quarterly certification with respect to compliance and operational matters related to the Sub-Adviser and the Sub-Adviser’s advice related to the Allocated Portion in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser, as it may be amended from time to time; and (ii) an annual certification with respect to the design and operation of the Sub-Adviser’s compliance program, in a format reasonably requested by the Adviser.
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20. | Miscellaneous. |
a. | Further Actions. Each party agrees to perform such further actions and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof. |
b. | Governing Law. To the extent that state law is not preempted by the provisions of any law of the United States of America, all matters arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York. |
c. | Captions / Headings. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. |
d. | Joint Negotiation. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, the parties intend that this Agreement be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and that no presumption or burden of proof arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. |
e. | Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, all of which together shall for all purposes constitute one agreement, binding on the parties. |
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the dates set forth below and effective as of the day and year first above written.
BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ADVISORS LLC
By: |
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Date: |
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Name: |
GRACIAN CAPITAL LLC
By: |
|
Date: |
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Name: |
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