Former CIO of Neil Woodford client Acacia Research charged with insider trading

Alfred Tobia Jr and sister-in-law

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock • 2 min read

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged the former CIO of Acacia Research Alfred Tobia Jr with insider trading, along with his sister-in-law Elizabeth Lee.

Tobia joined Acacia's board in 2018 and took on the role of president and CIO in 2019, positions he held until September 2021. During this period, Acacia was the sole client of disgraced former fund manager Neil Woodford, who in February that year, was preparing to launch his new advisory firm, Woodford Capital Management Partners. Acacia is a listed US investor in early-stage life science and biotech companies, the type of stock Woodford had held in his former LF Woodford Equity Income fund at the time of its collapse. Acacia bought 19 of the stricken Income fund's early-stage bio...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Why advisers shouldn't rush into private markets

Why advisers shouldn't rush into private markets

'There's only so long the hamster wheel can keep turning'

Justin Cash
clock 15 December 2025 • 4 min read
Adviser workload set to rocket ahead of IHT on pensions changes

Adviser workload set to rocket ahead of IHT on pensions changes

Large volumes of clients will need reviews of financial plans

Isabel Baxter
clock 15 December 2025 • 3 min read
Advising silver splitters: Legal insight for older clients getting a divorce

Advising silver splitters: Legal insight for older clients getting a divorce

Why is divorce becoming more common in older clients?

Katharine Bundell
clock 15 December 2025 • 4 min read