Alternative Asset Management & Sustainability Insights

In the fourth Sustainability Exchange of the series, Simon invites Paula Langton , Partner and head of the sustainability practice at Campbell Lutyens and Phil Bartram to unravel the complexities of SFDR classification. Listen now to explore: How Article 8, 9, and 6 classifications truly differ, and why it matters in today’s fundraising climate Shifts in LP preferences, regulatory requirements, "s...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at the ongoing review of the SFDR. Links: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/disclosures/sustainability-related-disclosure-financial-services-sector_en#:~:text=attracting%20private%20funding%20to%20help%20Europe%20make%20the%20shift%20to%20a%20net%2Dzero%20economy. https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/kn...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at the rule changes for European private fund managers. Links: The Regulation of Hedge Funds and Private Equity: A Case Study in the Development of the EU’s Regulatory Response to the Financial Crisis by Eilis Ferran :: SSRN Financial services – review of EU rules on alternative investment fund managers Report on the oper...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at the forthcoming round of sustainability reports for alternative asset managers. Links: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14666-Revision-of-EU-rules-on-sustainable-finance-disclosure_en https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/climate-related-financial-disclosures-for-companie...

In this episode Simon, Trysha Daskam-Smith , Head of ESG Strategy at Silver Regulatory Associates and Michael Raymond delve into pressing issues faced by European fund managers when dealing with US investors amidst the current headlines.  Tune in to explore: A nuanced discussion of how the term ESG is perceived across different markets, especially US investors with varied stances in different...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at the UK regulator's review of valuations in private markets, highlighting some important action points for UK-regulated firms. Links: FR10/23 Thematic Analysis: Emerging Risks in Private Finance Private market valuation practices | FCA 23-013_6a38dcc8-4aff-4acc-8f28-d024728613d6.pdf How Fair are the Valuations of Privat...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at investments in defence by alternative asset managers. Links: Rethinking Defense: The Role of Private Capital | Bain & Company Preqin Woke guns? Banks want weapons badged as a social good – POLITICO Our position on sustainability regulations and UK defence | FCA ESMA Guidelines on Fund Names | Travers Smith EU for...

A series of dynamic conversations hosted by Simon Witney, sustainable finance specialist, joined by two expert guests.   Simon's guests, Ross Butler, Managing Director of Linear B Group, and Tosin Adeyeri, Partner in our Funds team, debate opposing answers to this topical question. Listen now to learn what ESG-linked carried interest means and how it works, plus the pros and cons of incorpora...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at securitisation reform in Europe. Links: UK regulators to face twice-yearly reviews as Reeves vows to slash red tape | Rachel Reeves | The Guardian New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth (HTML) - GOV.UK New approach to ensure regulators and regulation support growth (HTML) - GOV.UK Simplificatio...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are asking whether it still makes sense for global compliance programmes to adopt a single standard. Links: Anu Bradford | Columbia Law School Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects Civil Rights and Merit-Based Opportunity by Ending Illegal DEI – The White House Federal Register :: Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enfo...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at tax incentives in private markets. Links: Our 2024 budget briefing - https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/knowledge-container/autumn-budget-2024/ BVCA The tax treatment of carried interest – Consultation on qualifying conditions - https://www.bvca.co.uk/static/2e27e13b-ef87-440e-b75bb6717c8e228a/BVCA-response-to-carr...

A series of dynamic conversations hosted by Simon Witney, sustainable finance specialist, joined by two expert guests.   Simon  meets with James Alexander , Chief Executive of The UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) and  Sarah-Jane Denton , Director of our Operational Risk & Environment team to evaluate the need, benefits, and practicality of a impleme...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at the simplification of EU sustainability laws. Links: https://www.epp.eu/files/uploads/2025/01/EPP-Retreat-Growth-and-Jobs-statement.pdf https://www.humanrights.dk/files/media/document/Letter%20of%20European%20NHRIs%20on%20the%20omnibus%20proposal.pdf https://www.unpri.org/download?ac=22691

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we focus on our annual preview of the year ahead for the alternative asset managers, which we call Insights '25.  Please do check it out – a link is below. Links: Insights '25 - What to expect in 2025 Investors - Alternative Insights 2025 People and DE&I - Alternative Insights 2025

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at UK sustainability regulation, and what's in store for 2025. Links: https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/knowledge-container/travers-smiths-sustainability-insights-eu-sustainability-regulation-in-2025/ https://www.responsible-investor.com/esg-round-up-germanys-scholz-calls-for-two-year-delay-to-csrd/ https://www.tra...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at EU sustainability regulation, and what's in store for 2025. Links: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/11/08/the-budapest-declaration/ https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/knowledge-container/travers-smiths-sustainability-insights-the-impact-of-the-draghi-report-on-esg-regulation/ https://w...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at some recent UK government announcements that affect alternative asset managers. Links: https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/knowledge-container/autumn-budget-2024/ https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/mansion-house-2024-speech https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-fires-up-financial-services-sector-to-drive...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at what COP29 tells us about the new UK government's green growth ambitions. Links: https://unfccc.int/cop29 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpqd1rzw9r4o https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2lknel1xpo https://www.traverssmith.com/knowledge/knowledge-container/what-to-expect-at-cop29/ https://unfccc.int/process-and...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at the Labour Government's Autumn Budget, and its likely impact on UK alternative asset managers.

In this week's episode of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at the new UK government's approach to transition finance. Links: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/record-breaking-international-investment-summit-secures-63-billion-and-nearly-38000-jobs-for-the-uk https://www.cityam.com/bosses-at-worlds-biggest-banks-britain-is-ready-for-investment/ https://www.gov.uk/government/s...

Welcome to the fifth episode in our Sustainability Insights ... in conversation series. In the fifth episode of our Sustainability Insights … in conversation series, where we discuss the role of responsible investment in improving risk-adjusted returns, in aligning values, and in solving real world problems. Does Sustainable Investing Work ?

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at we are looking at the EU AI Act, and its likely impact on the attractiveness of the EU as a hub for Artificial Intelligence. Links: https://academic.oup.com/book/36491 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/european-approach-artificial-intelligence https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/sep/02/i-hope-im-wron...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Sustainability Insights we are looking at Mario Draghi's report on EU competitiveness and its potential impact on sustainability regulation for private capital firms Links: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/97e481fd-2dc3-412d-be4c-f152a8232961_en https://www.ft.com/content/298008a0-b75d-4062-9cb1-86b12ac30fbd https://commission.europa.eu/documen...

In this week's issue of Travers Smith's Alternative Insights, we are looking at we are looking at NAV lending to private equity funds, and ILPA's recently issued guidance. Links: McKinsey's 2024 Global Markets Review ILPA guidance on continuation funds ILPA review of its highly impactful reporting template ILPA guidance on NAV-based facilities Financial Stability Report BVCA pointed out ILPA Guida...

Welcome to the third episode in our Sustainability Insights ... in conversation series. In the fourth episode of our Sustainability Insights … in conversation series, Simon Witney speaks to Diandra Soobiah, Director of Responsible Investment at Nest, the National Employment Savings Trust. Their discussion explores Nest's significant commitments to the private markets and, with 15% of NEST's £42 bi...