City & Corporate: Media House takes on Rubicon crisis brief

Rubicon, one of the top-performing hedge fund firms during the credit crisis, is suing former partners Santiago Alarco and Tim Attias over a rival firm it claims they secretly planned to set up following an acrimonious internal dispute.

As revealed on prweek.com/uk, Media House chairman Jack Irvine was recommended to Rubicon by Cayman Stock Exchange chairman Anthony Travers.

A key element of media enquiries that Irvine has been dealing with is the suggestion that Attias and Alarco were responsible for Rubicon's success, over and above chairman Paul Brewer.

'Even when they were there, (Brewer) was still very visible,' said Irvine.

Some of the press coverage has focused on the fact that Attias was formerly the boyfriend of Jerry Hall, which led to the story being picked up by Daily Mail society columnist Richard Kay.

Irvine said that he had not included Hall's connection in the briefing note that he issued to journalists but that it was 'a godsend' that the media remembered Attias' connection to Hall and polo playing.

Rubicon has issued legal proceedings against Attias and Alarco, claiming the pair 'behaved dishonestly in failing to disclose' plans for a new firm.

Also mentioned in the proceedings at the High Court of Justice in London is Catherine Cripps, investment director at GAM, a former investor with Rubicon.

Irvine explained that he is working as part of the 'legal-media' team with Marcus Rutherford at Reed Smith Solicitors.

The story has already been covered by the Daily Mail, The Daily Telegraph and The Times as well as a host of US titles.