# Sachem Head Capital Management
Sachem Head Capital Management LP is an SEC-registered investment manager founded in 2012 by Scott D. Ferguson, running a concentrated, value-oriented equity strategy focused on North America and Europe.[1](https://www.sachemhead.com/) The firm reached a scale of about $7.2 billion in regulatory assets under management in June 2026.[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/)
| Key facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012, by Scott D. Ferguson[1](https://www.sachemhead.com/) |
| Registration | SEC-registered investment manager, registered since 2013[1](https://www.sachemhead.com/) • [2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/) |
| Strategy | Concentrated, value-oriented equity investments, North America, and Europe[1](https://www.sachemhead.com/) |
| Regulatory AUM | $7.2 billion, 17 employees, as of June 2026; up 74% since March 2025[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/) |
| Reported returns | 21.8% in 2024; 40.6% in 2025[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) |
| Signature campaigns | Autodesk (2015-17), Olin, IFF, US Foods, Twilio (2024-25), Performance Food Group, and Six Flags (2025)[4](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54263) • [5](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/sachem-heads-ferguson-says-replacing-ceo-among-tough-jobs-activists-2022-10-18/) • [3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) |
| Founder's background | Nine years at Pershing Square Capital Management from its 2003 inception[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) |
## Founding and Ferguson's background
[Scott Ferguson](https://www.edgepedia.org/scott-ferguson-hedge-fund-manager) founded Sachem Head in 2012 after nine years at [Pershing Square Capital Management](https://www.edgepedia.org/pershing-square-capital-management), which Ferguson joined at the firm's inception in 2003.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) Business press has described him as a protégé of veteran activist William A. Ackman.[7](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/business/dealbook/autodesk-chooses-peace-with-activist-investors.html)
His earlier career ran through consulting and private investing. Ferguson was a business analyst at [McKinsey & Company](https://www.edgepedia.org/mckinsey-and-company) from 1996 to 1999, a vice president at [American Industrial Partners](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-industrial-partners) from 1999 to 2001, and completed an M.B.A. at [Harvard Business School](https://www.edgepedia.org/harvard-business-school) in 2003 after graduating from Stanford University in 1996 with an A.B. in Public Policy.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm)
## Activist campaigns and board seats
**Autodesk, 2015 to 2017.** Sachem Head first emerged as an [Autodesk](https://www.edgepedia.org/autodesk) investor in November 2015, the computer-aided design software maker, where the fund wanted to discuss financial matters including costs.[7](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/business/dealbook/autodesk-chooses-peace-with-activist-investors.html) The Harvard Business School case study on the campaign describes it as waged mainly in private, over the company's lackluster financial performance.[4](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54263) Facing a proxy contest, Autodesk added Ferguson and two others to its board in exchange for a standstill agreement (A pact where an investor stops buying shares or launching challenges).[4](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54263) Ferguson stepped down when longtime CEO Carl Bass announced his retirement in February 2017, following two years of significantly improved performance.[4](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54263)
**CEO-change campaigns, 2020 to 2022.** Sachem Head built positions in chemicals producer Olin, flavors and fragrances company [International Flavors & Fragrances](https://www.edgepedia.org/international-flavors-and-fragrances) (IFF), and food distributor [US Foods](https://www.edgepedia.org/us-foods). In each case the company replaced its chief executive after Sachem Head became involved, as Ferguson himself recounted in October 2022.[5](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/sachem-heads-ferguson-says-replacing-ceo-among-tough-jobs-activists-2022-10-18/) At IFF, the company offered Ferguson a board seat in March 2021 amid the campaign.[8](https://www.reuters.com/article/business/iff-offers-board-seat-to-activist-sachem-heads-ferguson-idUSKBN2B01GO/) Ferguson has publicly praised Olin CEO Scott Sutton, who took the top job in 2020, calling him the best CEO he has seen.[5](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/sachem-heads-ferguson-says-replacing-ceo-among-tough-jobs-activists-2022-10-18/)
**Twilio and Delivery Hero, 2024.** Sachem Head partner Andy Stafman joined the board of communications-software company Twilio in 2024 and remained through 2025, a period over which Twilio shares rose 6% over 12 months.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) Ferguson himself has served on the Supervisory Board of Delivery Hero SE since June 2024.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm)
**Performance Food Group, 2025.** Under a September 23, 2025 cooperation agreement, [Performance Food Group](https://www.edgepedia.org/performance-food-group) (PFG) appointed Ferguson to its board and expanded the board to 13 directors, 12 of them independent, with Ferguson joining the Audit and Finance Committee; Sachem Head withdrew its director nominations and business proposal for the 2025 annual meeting.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) At the time, Sachem Head beneficially owned 3,350,000 PFG shares, subject to a minimum 1.0% net-long ownership requirement tied to Ferguson's seat, and PFG agreed to pay the fund $875,000 in reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) Trade press credited Ferguson with the board seat plus an M&A committee; in November 2025, US Foods, a prior Sachem target, terminated merger efforts with PFG.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
**Six Flags, 2025.** In October 2025, Six Flags Entertainment and Sachem Head signed a cooperation agreement in which the fund represented beneficial ownership of 5,030,000 shares, subject to a minimum 3% ownership requirement, with a standstill running to the 2027 annual meeting nomination window.[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm) Funds managed by Sachem Head also held cash-settled swaps referencing 4,995,000 [Six Flags](https://www.edgepedia.org/six-flags) shares, and Ferguson signed the agreement as Managing Member of the funds' general partner, UNCAS GP, LLC.[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm) The Deal reported the settlement added a fund partner to the board shortly before [Jana Partners](https://www.edgepedia.org/jana-partners) launched its own campaign at the company, whose shares had fallen 63% over the prior 12 months.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
**Entain.** In October 2025, Sachem Head urged Entain, the betting company, to buy the remainder of its BetMGM joint venture.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
Ferguson's other past board service includes Elanco Animal Health and Olin Corporation, alongside Autodesk and US Foods.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm)
## Investment strategy and structure
Concentration plus private pressure is the operating pattern. The firm describes its approach as concentrated and value-oriented, focused on equity investments in North America and Europe.[1](https://www.sachemhead.com/)
The settlement documents show a consistent structural template. At PFG, Sachem Head's board seat was tied to a minimum 1.0% net-long ownership requirement on a 3,350,000-share position; at Six Flags, the minimum was 3% ownership on 5,030,000 shares, with a standstill running to the 2027 nomination window.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) • [9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm) The Six Flags filing also shows the funds' use of cash-settled swaps referencing 4,995,000 shares alongside common stock.[9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm)
Per its Form ADV data, the firm manages three private funds: Sachem Head LP ($2.97 billion in gross assets), Sachem Head Master LP ($2.28 billion), and Sh Stony Creek Master Ltd. ($1.91 billion), each with a $1 million minimum investment.[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/)
## Assets, personnel and performance
Sachem Head reports $7.2 billion in regulatory assets under management and 17 employees as of June 2026, with regulatory AUM up 74% between March 2025 and June 2026.[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/) Trade press reported returns of 21.8% in 2024 and 40.6% in 2025, with Performance Food Group the notable 2025 campaign.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
Beyond Ferguson, whose title is Founder and Managing Partner, the firm's key personnel include Amit Nmi Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer since 2012; Michael David Adamski, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer since 2015; and Michelle Laryea Godfrey, Chief Financial Officer since 2021.[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/) Partner Andy Stafman has held board seats at portfolio targets, including Twilio from 2024.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
## How it compares with other activist funds
In 2025, [Elliott Management](https://www.edgepedia.org/elliott-management) engaged in 18 campaigns globally and obtained 17 board seats; Starboard Value launched 11 campaigns, deployed $2 billion, and scored 17 board seats; Jana Partners won nine board seats, the third-most according to Barclays.[3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) • [10](https://pcg.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Barclays-2025-Review-of-Shareholder-Activism_vF.pdf) Ferguson has described replacing a chief executive as among the hardest jobs in activism,[5](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/sachem-heads-ferguson-says-replacing-ceo-among-tough-jobs-activists-2022-10-18/) and the firm's settlements have exchanged a board seat for standstill and minimum-ownership terms.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) • [9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm)
## Recent developments
Between 2024 and 2026, the firm's footprint widened on several fronts. Ferguson joined [Delivery Hero](https://www.edgepedia.org/delivery-hero)'s supervisory board in June 2024, and partner Andy Stafman took a Twilio board seat that year.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) • [3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) In 2025 the firm signed cooperation agreements at Performance Food Group and Six Flags, pushed Entain on BetMGM, and roughly doubled its reported returns from 21.8% to 40.6%.[6](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm) • [9](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm) • [3](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf) Regulatory AUM grew 74% into June 2026, against an industry backdrop in which Barclays recorded M&A demands appearing in 54% of second-half 2025 activist campaigns, up from 35% in the first half.[2](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/) • [10](https://pcg.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Barclays-2025-Review-of-Shareholder-Activism_vF.pdf)
## References
1. [Sachem Head Capital Management | Concentrated Value-Oriented Equity Investments](https://www.sachemhead.com/)
2. [Sachem Head Capital Management - Fund and Executive Details (Form ADV data)](https://privatefunddata.com/fund-companies/sachem-head-capital-management-lp/)
3. [The Deal Insurgent Rankings for 2025](https://ansonfunds.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-Deal-Insurgent-Rankings-for-2025.pdf)
4. [Sachem Head's Activism at Autodesk (Harvard Business School Case 118-086, March 2018)](https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=54263)
5. [Reuters: Sachem Head's Ferguson says replacing CEO among tough jobs for activists (October 18, 2022)](https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/sachem-heads-ferguson-says-replacing-ceo-among-tough-jobs-activists-2022-10-18/)
6. [Performance Food Group / Sachem Head Letter Agreement (SEC EX-10.1, September 23, 2025)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1618673/000119312525213333/pfgc-ex10_1.htm)
7. [New York Times: Autodesk Chooses Peace With Activist Investors (March 2016)](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/12/business/dealbook/autodesk-chooses-peace-with-activist-investors.html)
8. [Reuters: IFF offers board seat to activist Sachem Head's Ferguson (March 8, 2021)](https://www.reuters.com/article/business/iff-offers-board-seat-to-activist-sachem-heads-ferguson-idUSKBN2B01GO/)
9. [Six Flags Entertainment Corporation / Sachem Head Letter Agreement (SEC EX-10.1)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1999001/000119312525242513/d32756dex101.htm)
10. [Barclays 2025 Review of Shareholder Activism](https://pcg.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Barclays-2025-Review-of-Shareholder-Activism_vF.pdf)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Economics and business › Founders, operators, and investors › Hedge funds, trading firms, and public-market investors › Hedge funds and asset managers › Equity long/short and activist funds*
*Initially written Sep 19, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 19, 2026*
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