Jonathan Lourie: Age, Education, Career and Cheyne Capital Success
The story of a British investment executive who built a major alternative asset management business after years at Morgan Stanley.
Introduction
Jonathan Lourie is a British businessman and investment executive. He is best known for co-founding Cheyne Capital, a London-based investment management firm.
His career started decades ago. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1985 and spent years working with credit investments and convertible bonds.
Then came a big decision.
In June 2000, he started Cheyne Capital with Stuart Fiertz. The business went on to manage billions of dollars in investment assets.
As of November 2026, he serves as the firm’s Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Investment Officer (CIO).
Jonathan Lourie Quick Facts
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Harry Lourie |
| Known As | Jonathan Lourie |
| Birth Month and Year | February 1962 |
| Age | 64 years (2026) |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Businessman, Investment Executive |
| Industry | Finance and Investment Management |
| School | International School of Geneva |
| University | Dartmouth College |
| Graduation Year | 1983 |
| Academic Honours | Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude |
| Previous Company | Morgan Stanley |
| Morgan Stanley Career | Began in 1985 |
| Company Founded | Cheyne Capital |
| Co-Founder | Stuart Fiertz |
| Company Founded In | June 2000 |
| Current Position | Founder, CEO and CIO |
| Known Award | HFM Outstanding Contribution Award (2015) |
Who Is Jonathan Lourie?
Jonathan Harry Lourie is an investment professional known for his work in alternative asset management.
He has spent much of his career studying financial markets and managing investments.
His name is closely connected with Cheyne Capital.
The company works with institutional investors and private clients. Its investment activities include corporate credit, property finance and other financial assets.
His career has two main chapters.
First came Morgan Stanley, where he developed experience in convertible bonds and credit management.
Then came Cheyne Capital, the business he helped establish in London.
That second chapter continues today.
Early Life and Education
His education began in Switzerland.
Between 1967 and 1979, he attended the International School of Geneva, a well-known international school.
He later moved to the United States.
From 1979 to 1983, he studied at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.
He completed his studies in 1983.
His academic record was impressive. He graduated with Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honours.
Phi Beta Kappa recognises strong academic achievement at American colleges.
Summa Cum Laude is another academic distinction awarded to graduates with excellent academic records.
These qualifications form part of his publicly documented educational background.
Starting His Career at Morgan Stanley
His professional journey took shape in 1985.
That year, he began working at Morgan Stanley, a major international financial services company.
He became involved in convertible bond management and credit investing.
This was specialist work.
A convertible bond is a type of debt investment that can be converted into company shares under certain conditions.
Investors must understand both bond markets and stock prices.
Credit investing brings another challenge. Investors need to study whether borrowers can repay their debts.
Lourie helped create and develop Morgan Stanley’s convertible bond and credit management practice.
His time there gave him substantial experience in financial research and investment management.
It also brought an important professional partnership.
Working With Stuart Fiertz
Stuart Fiertz became a central figure in his career.
The two men shared an educational connection. Both attended the International School of Geneva and Dartmouth College.
They later worked together at Morgan Stanley.
Fiertz joined Morgan Stanley in 1991, where his responsibilities included credit research and portfolio strategies.
The partnership lasted nine years before they established their own company.
They understood the same markets. Their responsibilities also complemented each other.
In 2000, they chose to build an independent investment business.
That business was Cheyne Capital.
Founding Cheyne Capital in 2000
June 2000 marked a major career change.
Lourie and Fiertz founded Cheyne Capital after leaving Morgan Stanley.
The company started with experience in convertible bonds and credit-related investments.
Over time, its investment activities expanded.
The business became involved in property finance, corporate credit and other alternative investments.
Building an investment firm takes patience.
Investors want clear research, financial discipline and a business structure they can trust.
Cheyne developed an international client base and expanded its operations beyond London.
Today, the company serves large financial institutions alongside private investment clients.
What Does Cheyne Capital Do?
Cheyne Capital is an alternative asset management company.
In simple terms, it manages investments beyond standard stock and bond portfolios.
Its current business covers several investment areas.
Real Estate Investment
The firm provides financing for property-related investments.
This may involve loans and other financial arrangements connected with commercial or residential real estate.
Property finance has become a major part of Cheyne’s business.
Corporate Credit
This area focuses on company debt.
Investment teams study businesses, assess credit quality and manage investments in corporate borrowing.
Research is important here.
A company’s ability to repay debt can change with business conditions, interest rates and financial performance.
Strategic Value Credit
This business provides financing solutions for European companies.
Some businesses may face financial pressure. Others may need capital during a period of change or growth.
The firm assesses investment opportunities based on individual circumstances.
Equity Alternatives
Cheyne also manages long-short equity investment strategies.
These strategies involve studying company shares and taking investment positions based on research and expected price movements.
The goal is to manage investment opportunities while paying close attention to financial risk.
Cheyne Capital in 2026
The company has grown substantially since 2000.
According to its official website, Cheyne Capital reported the following figures as of September 30, 2026:
| Business Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Assets Under Management | US$15 billion |
| Track Record | 26 years |
| Offices Worldwide | 11 |
| Employees Worldwide | 184 |
The company has offices in major financial centres, including London, New York, Dubai, Dublin, Paris and Zurich.
Its clients include pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.
Cheyne reports that institutional investors account for more than 90% of its managed assets.
These figures describe the company rather than Lourie’s individual finances.
His Role as CEO and CIO
He holds two major executive responsibilities.
As CEO, he leads the firm’s business.
The position covers the management and direction of the investment company.
As CIO, he has a senior role in its investment activities.
A chief investment officer usually oversees investment policies, research priorities and the management of financial risk.
At Cheyne, his combined executive titles reflect his long-standing leadership position.
His professional background remains closely tied to credit markets and investment management.
Industry Recognition and Awards
His work has received industry recognition.
In July 2015, Lourie and Stuart Fiertz received the HFM Outstanding Contribution Award.
The award recognised their contribution to the alternative investment management industry.
The announcement came during Cheyne Capital’s fifteenth anniversary year.
Cheyne had also received HFM’s Management Firm of the Year award in 2014.
The recognition covered the firm’s business development and the founders’ long careers.
These awards form part of the company’s documented history.
Company Directorships and Business Records
His responsibilities also appear in official UK company records.
Companies House lists him as a director of Cheyne Capital Management Limited.
He was appointed to that position on December 16, 1999.
He is also a designated member of Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP.
That appointment began on March 30, 2007.
Both positions are recorded as active in the UK corporate register.
His public company records provide useful confirmation of his business responsibilities.
How His Business Career Developed
His professional history shows a gradual progression.
| Year | Career Event |
|---|---|
| 1979 | Completed studies at the International School of Geneva |
| 1983 | Graduated from Dartmouth College |
| 1985 | Began working at Morgan Stanley |
| 1991 | Started working alongside Stuart Fiertz at Morgan Stanley |
| 2000 | Co-founded Cheyne Capital |
| 2007 | Became a designated member of Cheyne Capital Management (UK) LLP |
| 2015 | Received HFM’s Outstanding Contribution Award with Stuart Fiertz |
| 2026 | Continues as Founder, CEO and CIO of Cheyne Capital |
The timeline makes one thing clear.
His career developed over several decades. He worked in institutional finance before starting his own investment business.
Jonathan Lourie’s Wealth and Financial Position
Cheyne Capital manages substantial investment assets.
But there is a difference.
Assets under management belong to the investment portfolios managed for clients. They do not represent the personal wealth of the company’s founder.
Cheyne’s reported US$15 billion in assets under management should not be described as Lourie’s net worth.
His private financial position has not been independently established through a reliable public wealth assessment.
His business career is well documented, but a precise personal fortune cannot be confirmed from the available evidence.
Why Is He Known in the Investment Industry?
His career is associated with a long-running investment management business.
He helped build Cheyne Capital after developing his experience at Morgan Stanley.
The firm now operates across several investment markets and serves institutional clients internationally.
His professional partnership with Stuart Fiertz is another notable part of the story.
They worked together before founding the company and remain connected through its leadership.
Their shared business history stretches back more than three decades.
That is a considerable period in investment management.
Final Thought
Jonathan Lourie’s career started in international finance and grew into business ownership.
He studied at Dartmouth College, worked at Morgan Stanley and co-founded Cheyne Capital in 2000.
More than 25 years later, he remains part of the firm’s executive leadership.
His professional story is supported by company records, educational information and industry announcements.
Those records show a long career in investment management and the development of a major financial business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Jonathan Lourie?
Jonathan Lourie is a British investment executive and businessman. He is the co-founder, CEO and CIO of Cheyne Capital.
2. How old is Jonathan Lourie?
He was born in February 1962. He is 64 years old as of November 2026, according to UK Companies House records.
3. Where did Jonathan Lourie study?
He attended the International School of Geneva and later Dartmouth College in the United States.
4. When did he start his career?
He began working at Morgan Stanley in 1985, where he helped develop its convertible bond and credit management activities.
5. Who founded Cheyne Capital?
Jonathan Lourie and Stuart Fiertz founded Cheyne Capital in June 2000.
6. What is his position at Cheyne Capital?
He serves as Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer.
7. What award did he receive?
He shared the HFM Outstanding Contribution Award with Stuart Fiertz in July 2015.
8. How much money does Cheyne Capital manage?
The company reported US$15 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2026.



