An independent investment boutique since 2007, Vulcan Value focuses on the long term and has conviction in its approach. Founder C.T. Fitzpatrick leads the value shop as chairman and CIO and maintains his investment duties, while Jeff St. Denis became CEO and president of the firm in 2023 as part of Fitzpatrick's eventual succession plan. Fitzpatrick has extended firm ownership to 25 of the company's 55 employees, allowing them to participate in the economic success of the firm and helping retain talent for the long haul. Employees can own only Vulcan Value strategies in the equity portions of their portfolios, and the firm has a track record of closing its funds when capacity is constrained.
This commitment to the firm's investment style is impressive; however, the resulting portfolios' concentration has exposed investors to substantial risk and volatility. Amid poor performance across the lineup, the firm's total assets under management fell to USD 8 billion by the end of 2022 from USD 20 billion the year prior. Outflows were more severe than those seen by many other active rivals and could eventually have an impact on Vulcan Value's ability to invest in personnel and other resources.