Portrait

From Shorting to Spotting Success:

The Full Circle

Constantijn Huigen has built his reputation in London for spotting companies on the verge of collapse. Now at Ridge Capital, he’s turned that expertise on its head by identifying firms built to survive.

His journey into finance began with a high school stock-picking competition, where an inspiring teacher introduced him to the world of finance and macroeconomics. Winning that contest alongside a classmate ignited a passion and led him towards studying Economics at the Erasmus School of Economics in Rotterdam, followed by a Master in Finance at the Stockholm School of Economics. From Rotterdam and Stockholm, his path eventually took him to London, where he transformed his academic knowledge into practical expertise and laid the groundwork for his future career.

“London is a place where everyone is switched on – it’s a highly competitive arena where you must push yourself to stand out,” Constantijn recalls. He started his career at London-based hedge fund Parvus Asset Management, sharpening his skills in fundamental equity analysis before playing a key role in launching a global market-neutral hedge fund strategy at Nordea Asset Management. Most recently at Stockholm-based Brummer & Partners, he served as the lead analyst for a $200 million European Technology, Media, and Telecoms focused hedge fund strategy, further developing his expertise in shorting – identifying companies on the brink of failure.

In 2024, Constantijn joined Ridge Capital, stepping into a role that both mirrored and challenged his previous experiences. Instead of seeking out companies at risk, he now focuses on finding those with the resilience to succeed. “In many ways, it’s the same skill set; a deep-dive fundamental analysis, understanding business models, market landscapes, and key risks. But now, I’m looking for financial strengths rather than weaknesses, and help avoid lending out our investors’ money to companies that cannot repay their debt,” he explains.

At Ridge Capital, the entrepreneurial culture and flat organizational structure have been a welcome change. “It’s different from larger firms – not because I haven’t worked in small teams before, but because here I get to be involved in every facet of the company. There is a genuine cross-pollination between roles, which gives me a broader perspective beyond just the fundamental research. At the same time there is a clear international focus despite it being a Swedish founded company.”

Collaborating closely with lead portfolio manager Christoffer Malmström, Constantijn thrives in an environment that encourages original ideas and open debate. “We don’t always agree, but through those rigorous discussions, we arrive at the best investment decisions”, he notes.

Outside of work, Constantijn remains intentional about his personal time. Moving to Stockholm required building a new social life, and he actively cultivates friendships and experiences beyond finance. “I make an effort to do things that are completely different from my job. It gives me new perspectives, not just personally but also professionally. After all, the companies we invest in don’t just serve the financial professionals; understanding diverse viewpoints is crucial.”

For those looking to follow a similar path, his advice is simple: “Get as much exposure as possible and work for inspiring people. Finance is about learning, and who you learn from makes all the difference.”

From analyzing corporate failures to identifying future winners, Constantijn has come full circle. And just like that first stock-picking contest in high school, his drive to win remains as strong as ever.