Man Group plc (Man Group) is an alternative investment management business initially founded as a sugar cooperage and brokerage by James Man in 1783. It provides a range of funds for institutional and private investors globally and is the world's largest publicly traded hedge fund, reporting $78.1 billion in funds under management as of March 2015. The firm is headquartered at Riverbank House in London and employs over 1,000 people in various locations worldwide. The company is a noted sponsor of the arts and charitable initiatives, including the Man Booker Prize and the Man Charitable Trust.