K2 advisors was founded in 1994 by David Saunders and William Douglass.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The firm was named after the K2 mountain in the Karakoram range where the pair attended a fundraiser to benefit a team to climb it.[1][3][5] Saunders previously worked for Julian Robertson at the firm Tiger Management as Head Trader making K2 Advisors part of the Tiger Cubs group.[1][5][6] Douglass previously worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.[1]
Since 2006, K2 Advisors has been known to be investing in ESG securities as well as Insurance-Linked Securities.[7]
In 2007 TA Associates acquired a minority interest in K2 advisors for an undisclosed amount of money.[1][2][6][8]
In 2011, K2 Advisors considered selling the firm with The Carlyle Group being one of the main bidding frontrunners.[1][2]
In 2012, K2 Advisors was acquired by Franklin Templeton Investments.[2][3][4][6] K2 Advisors used the money from deal to buy out TA Associates stake which allowed Franklin Templeton Investments to have 100% ownership of K2 Advisors.[2][4]
In 2019, K2 Advisors expanded its business to Europe with a new fund range which allowed local investors there to have access to U.S.-based fund managers.[9]
In October 2024, K2 Advisors ceased to exist as a separate brand under Franklin Templeton and was rebranded to Absolute Return Portfolio Management Team. [10]
