Crystal Capital Partners has launched research headquarters in Miami, FL, as well as having strengthened its distribution and compliance teams.

The firm confirmed to Family Wealth Report that Roman Frenkel was appointed in August as its chief compliance officer. Frenkel previously worked as compliance officer at D E Shaw and was also COO at Innovative Options Management. Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodruff - who joined in May - is responsible for manager research and due diligence. Prior to joining Crystal, Woodruff served as a senior investment analyst at CapTrust Advisors, a Florida-based institutional pension consulting firm.

“Crystal’s new office will serve as its research headquarters, so clients can experience and understand the robust due diligence process associated with Crystal’s manager sourcing and selection process,” the firm said in a statement. Chief executive Steven Brod added that it is seeking to breakdown the barriers traditionally associated with hedge fund investing.

Crystal Capital's service offers access to hedge funds with a $1 million investment minimum, and customizes a hedge fund portfolio to an investor's return, risk, liquidity and diversification strategy. The firm has three additional offices in Miami and is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Natalie Brod, partner at Crystal Capital Partners, outlined a few months back why the firm believes customization is the future for private hedge fund investment (view here.)