A strong pipeline of new investor mandates, coupled with performance gains powered, powered profits at UK multi-strategy hedge fund Marshall Wace to a record high.

In the 12 months to the end of February, annual operating profits at the $18 billion hedge fund, set up in 1997 by chief executive and risk officer Ian Wace and chairman and chief investment officer Paul Marshall, surpassed the £200 million mark for the first time, according to the latest annual accounts filed at Companies House.