Charlie Aitken sells his investment fund after high society love triangle

Charlie Aitken sold his self-titled fund management company just months after a highly public high society love triangle.

The Sydney investment banker became embroiled in a scandal in late 2021 after sleeping with Hollie Nasser, his wife Ellie’s best friend, shortly after his marriage broke down.

The swap of partners took the city’s eastern suburbs by surprise and was further complicated by the fact that Aitken did business with Nasser’s investor husband Christopher.

Now, Mr. Aitken has advised Aitken Investment Management investors of his intention to resign.

In a note to clients, Mr Aitken said the investment team had agreed to buy his family’s stake, at which point he would step down and the company would change its name to Constantia Investment Partners.

Charlie Aitken (pictured with his wife Ellie) leaves his own investment fund

“The investment team is humbled to take the baton from Charlie to lead the company, and to continue to manage the capital that investors have entrusted to us,” said Etienne Vlok, chief investment officer.

Vlok will manage the fund alongside a portfolio manager with Daniel Gerdis, senior analyst Andrew Strasser and chief executive of Les Andrews.

AIM, which counts the Aitken family as its majority shareholder, suffered poor returns during the financial year – down 9.9 percent under the Vlok administration.

Packer’s Lieutenants Rob Rankin and Mr Nasser, who have resigned as directors of AIM, still hold shares in the company.

Billionaire Kerry Stokes was the previous shareholder, buying a 19.99 percent stake in 2017, until it sold out after disappointing returns.

The company took a hit after Mr Aitken’s poor relationship with Nasser’s estranged husband Christopher Nasser withdrew $7.5 million from the fund and stepped down from AIM’s board after five years as director and shareholder.

Mr Aitken later revealed the AIM Global High Conviction Fund provided a 3 percent return after fees in December, compared to a benchmark return of 1.7 percent.

Mr Aitken made headlines in late 2021 after he started dating Hollie Nassar (pictured), his wife’s best friend and partner

Christopher Nasser (pictured with his wife) leaves AIM after the infamous love triangle

That means for the whole of 2021, AIM has a profit after costs of 31.1 percent, above the benchmark of 29.3 percent.

Mr Aitken’s decision comes after a tumultuous year following the public breakdown of his marriage and the subsequent brief romance with Ms Nassar.

Ms Nasser and Mr Aitken spent several months in a love bubble, trying to take things slow, until intense public scrutiny of their relationship added a level of stress they didn’t expect – or know how to handle.

They quietly split earlier this year and are said to be disappointed with how things are going.

In May, five months after the new couple went public, Daily Mail Australia was told that Nasser had publicly told people he was ‘single’, signaling he was no longer in a relationship with Mr Aitken.

After making the announcement, Nasser posted pictures to his social media accounts enjoying days at the Randwick races and nights out with friends.

Nassar reportedly told friends that he struggled with all the attention the relationship was giving him.

“He never wanted it,” said a friend. “She just wants to go back to being a mother.

“Hollie really just wants to get on with her life.”

They share a kiss before Mr Aitken opens the passenger side door for Miss Nasser

The Nasser and Aitken families were Sydney’s two strong couples before a love triangle scandal ripped them apart (pictured, Hollie and Christopher Nasser)

Despite trying to keep a low profile in the early days of their relationship, Aitken and Nasser were often seen showing affection in public.

News of their breakup first made waves through their social circles east of Sydney, but they deny there was a problem.

Mr. Aitken has gone to great lengths to mend his relationship with his estranged lawyer wife Ellie Aitken, and the couple are friends for the sake of their children.

Ellie still holds a senior position at investment firm Pallas Capital after jumping from her estranged husband’s company following their split.

During the initial controversy, Aitken snapped and released a private conversation with Nasser accusing his former friend of being ‘bullying’, before taking his family away on vacation in Aspen.

Ellie Aitken (pictured), a lawyer, jumps from her husband’s firm to take up a senior position at investment firm Pallas Capital

The four sides in the high society love divide are now separated, but are still connected because of their young children and the company they maintain. Photo of eating at Eleven Madison Park in New York before the Covid pandemic

She flew out of Sydney on 15 December for a quiet break to escape the intense scrutiny of the public fallout from her 19-year marriage.

“The truth is that despite the support from friends and family, I was unable to cope well with the extremely hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,” he said in a statement released upon his departure.

She announced she would be “taking a break from social media” and public views as she and her family adjust to her husband’s estranged new relationship and separation.

As for Nasser, his friends said he was ’embarrassed’ that the breakdown of his marriage was happening publicly and sought comfort in his close network.

On top of the devastating split, Mr Nasser was hit with an AVO taken by his ex and the matter appeared several times before the court until it was eventually overturned.

Nasser’s lawyer Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia he had argued with police that AVO was “unfounded”, and had been used “as a sword, not a shield” against non-violent people.

Hollie also said that she was also trying to lower the AVO.

The reason for the order was allegations of ‘generalized bullying behavior’ during a marriage that foundered late last year.

Mr McGirr said Mr Nasser had been ‘confused and shocked’ by the restraining order and ‘he now wants to move on with his life’.

The four parties have now separated.

HIGH SOCIETY SPLIT – TIMELINE

September:

Ellie Aitken, a lawyer-turned-fashion designer, joins the investment business of Pallas, which is a rival to her husband’s firm Aitken Investment Management.

October 16:
Ms Aitken posted a bespoke birthday message to her friend Hollie Nasser, saying she was ‘so lucky to have you in my life.’

November 12:

It is openly revealed that Aitken and Nasser’s marriage has ended.

November 13:

Mr Nasser, who was Mr Aitken’s business partner at Aitken Investment Management, resigned from his position as board director and was replaced by his brother Damien.

Ms Aitken also stepped down as an executive from the company over the same weekend.

A few days later police issued an Arrested Domestic Violence Order against Nasser on behalf of his estranged wife.

November 27:

Mr Aitken confirmed he was in a relationship with Ms Nasser.

“I can confirm that I am separated from Ellie Aitken and in a relationship with Hollie Nasser,” Aitken said.

“My only focus is my children and I will not comment further.”

December 3rd

Mr Nasser spoke about AVO and announced that he plans to fight the charges when the case goes to court on 15 December.

Mr Aitken was photographed running errands with Ms Nasser and taking belongings to his home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Later that evening, Ms Aitken posted a photo of herself with Mr Aitken at their son’s Rugby awards night.

December 4

It was revealed Ms Nasser’s car had reportedly been vandalized, with someone scratching the word ‘whore’ on one of the doors

December 5

Aitken leaks hot messages between him and Nasser as their friendship sours.

Mr Aitken is later seen at the family home, engaging in a confrontation with Ellie as she takes his clothes.

The Nasser family was also seen along with their children.

December 7th

Ellie Aitken says she will be taking a ‘break from social media’ as she copes with the fallout from the breakdown of her marriage.

“The truth is that despite the support of friends and family, I couldn’t cope well with the incredibly hurtful lies, gossip, and innuendo that surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,” she said.

‘I have tried to put on a brave face and try to manage my feelings and well-being despite the fact that I have no control over the reasons for my sadness.’

It was also revealed that Mr Nasser withdrew up to $7.5 million from Mr Aitken’s company.

Mr. Aitken and his wife Ellie have long been friends with the Nasser family, and Mr. Nasser is the director of the wealth management company Aitken.

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