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

CII launches research community

CII launches research community

Voices to give professionals a stronger role in shaping policy

Sophia Panayi
clock 24 September 2026 • 1 min read
Andrew Goodwin: Three barriers to optimum vulnerable client outcomes

Andrew Goodwin: Three barriers to optimum vulnerable client outcomes

'It seems safe to say that vulnerability is likely to be commonplace'

Andrew Goodwin
clock 24 September 2026 • 4 min read
Feel Good Friday: Royal London partners with disabled racing driver on equality initiative

Feel Good Friday: Royal London partners with disabled racing driver on equality initiative

Working with Nicolas Hamilton, younger brother of F1 champion Lewis

Professional Adviser
clock 24 September 2026 • 1 min read