Luke and Gideon founded Ferguson Hyams on the conviction that a best in class fixed income investment product could be built by combining agricultural asset backed strategies with a proven track record of strong, risk adjusted returns.
This vision is realised through a disciplined platform of governance, risk control and operational transparency, executed within the regulated framework of a Wholesale Managed Investment Scheme.
They also recognised that the asset bubble created by prolonged central bank intervention since the 2008 global financial crisis – through near-zero interest rates and quantitative easing – was unsustainable. As global central banks began normalising monetary policy, Luke and Gideon saw an urgent need for a resilient investment alternative.
One that delivers stable annual returns with controlled volatility, without relying on inflated asset prices or perpetually rising stock markets.
Our mission is to connect wholesale investors to high yield, asset backed alternative funds designed to generate strong, stable returns, independent of equity markets and macroeconomic cycles.
Luke Ferguson is the Chief Executive Officer and Responsible Manager for the AFSL. Prior to co-founding FHIM he was a director of a global alternative and automated trading research company for wholesale investors and high pedigree traders.
The company, under Luke’s leadership was positioned to fast-track the process of matching high quality trading strategies to international investor mandates. Luke was responsible for systematising the risk management frameworks into the trading system to be leveraged by the trading teams and onboarding domestic and international traders. Luke holds RG146 qualifications in Derivatives, Foreign Exchange, Securities and Managed Investments.
Gideon Hyams is the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and prior to co-founding FHIM he served UBS in a number of capacities for over 17 years, more than half of that time as Managing Director in Zurich.
In a stellar career at UBS he was the youngest banker to be appointed Director. He managed one of the largest FX derivative portfolios in the market with in excess of 10,000 option and cash positions representing a notional value of several billion dollars. He consistently produced annual profits in excess of USD $80million and under his leadership secured the prestigious Risk Magazine Currency Derivatives House of the Year Award.
His technical expertise lies in trading and risk-managing the breadth of exotic and vanilla derivative positions. His business expertise is evident in his management of high performing teams of traders and in developing and implementing systematised risk management and pricing protocols.
Educated in England, Gideon holds an Honours degree in Physics from University of Oxford and professional qualifications in Financial Planning, Derivatives and was ranked in the top 3 of Swiss Bank Capital Markets Classes in Pricing and Risk Control.
Ross is a seasoned real estate and financial markets analyst with over 30 years of experience advising firms on investments and market conditions.
He has been an integral part of Ferguson Hyams since its inception, contributing his expertise spanning property, development, financial markets, trading, and analytics.
Key credentials and experience:
In addition to his advisory experience, Ross serves as Lead Data Analyst at Ferguson Hyams. He leverages his analytical proficiency by overseeing data operations, analysis, financial modelling, and reporting.
Prior to his current role, Ross gained valuable data leadership experience as the Lead Data Analyst for a publicly traded real estate investment firm for over 5 years. During that tenure, he spearheaded implementing new data systems and procedures, and improved analytics and transparency for shareholders.
Ross's extensive experience and wealth of knowledge across real estate, development, and financial markets allows him to provide valuable analysis and insights to Ferguson Hyams and its clients seeking data-driven investment solutions. His longevity with and contributions to Ferguson Hyams underscore his integral role as both a seasoned expert and lead data analyst since the firm's start.
Shaun is a Chartered Accountant with over thirteen years of experience in accounting and wealth management. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Queensland, graduating with dual majors in accounting and finance.
In previous positions, Shaun played a pivotal part in designing and managing client portfolios, working directly with the investment committee to deliver targeted, diverse client portfolios and implement sophisticated financial solutions.
Shaun draws on his accounting and finance background to help develop strategies emphasizing transparency, risk management, and achieving sustainable long-term returns. He combines detailed market analysis with a client-focused perspective, ensuring that investments are tailored to market conditions and closely aligned with individual objectives.
Mark Lowrey is the General Manager of Operations at Ferguson Hyams Investment Management, responsible for the oversight and coordination of FHIM’s agricultural and livestock operations.
In his executive role, Mark works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and senior operational leadership to ensure livestock systems are managed responsibly, efficiently, and in alignment with animal welfare, land stewardship, and regulatory expectations. His remit spans operational governance, risk management, reporting frameworks, and the implementation of systems that support scalable, transparent, and defensible agricultural operations.
Mark plays a central role in aligning day-to-day farm activity with broader strategic, compliance, and governance objectives. This includes translating operational realities into structured reporting and decision-making frameworks that provide clarity, accountability, and early visibility of emerging risks.
A key focus of Mark’s role is the establishment of clear escalation pathways and disciplined reporting structures. This ensures that issues such as water constraints, stocking pressure, animal welfare considerations, and operational incidents are identified early and addressed proactively rather than reactively.
Mark supports FHIM’s approach to external engagement where operational matters intersect with regulatory or community considerations. He is responsible for ensuring that such matters are handled professionally, consistently, and in a manner supported by documented processes and governance standards.
Prior to joining FHIM, Mark built and led multiple businesses in highly regulated and operationally complex environments. He brings a commercial mindset combined with a strong appreciation for governance, risk management, and long-term asset stewardship. His leadership approach emphasises practical systems, clear accountability, and decision-making grounded in operational reality.
Mark’s focus at FHIM is on building resilient, well-governed livestock operations that balance performance with responsibility, and that stand up to scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the broader community.
Ferguson Hyams identified a structural gap in the Australian investment landscape: a lack of true fixed income alternatives backed by real, productive assets.
While traditional markets were shaped by a decade of low interest rates and asset price inflation, we focused on something different – the Australian livestock sector.
We saw the opportunity to generate high yield, asset backed returns by:
This approach is built on real cash flow, biological growth and operational control – not market speculation.