Alternative Insight

In this episode of our Alternative Insight podcast, Oliver Sinclair Director of Technology - Markets at Aztec Group, is joined by Pavandeep Wakem, Head of Strategic Operations at Investec, and Tom Brewer, Partner at Alpha FMC, to explore how digital ecosystems are transforming operating models across private markets. The conversation examines what it takes - both technically and organiseationally...

What will the Bank of England’s private credit stress test tell us? In this episode of the Alternative Insight, Andrew Tully and former Bank of England executive director Paul Sharma, unpack how the test is likely to work, where risks may emerge under pressure, and why manager behaviour in a downturn could matter just as much as headline losses.   During a wide-ranging discussion three of the topi...

In Part 2 of the Alternative Insight – Private markets rewired: What’s next for AI? podcast, the conversation moves from experimentation to execution, focusing on what it takes to embed AI responsibly across private markets organisations.   Aztec’s Head of Process Digitisation and Optimisation Paul White is again joined by Adam Hofmann, AI Transformation Partner at Elixxir; Henrik Ceder, Chief Dig...

Nearly 70% of private funds CFOs say they are piloting or actively implementing AI, yet only 2% believe it is fully embedded. This headline finding from the 2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey highlights both strong momentum and significant execution challenges across the industry. In this episode of Alternative Insightt, 'Part 1 - Private markets reqired: What's next for AI?', Aztec's Head of...

Forty-three percent of GPs say they plan to outsource more of their fund accounting functions in the next 12 months. This headline finding from our  2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey  highlights a growing trend: outsourcing fund administration is no longer just about efficiency, it’s a path to achieving greater resilience, accuracy and strategic focus. In this episode of Alternative Insight,...

72% of GPs say LPs now prioritise clear, timely and accurate reporting above all else. This is a headline finding from our 2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey, which we did in partnership with PEI, and highlights just how quickly investor expectations are evolving. In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Maria Von Oldenskiold, Head of Investor Services, is joined by special G...

In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Pete Blackburn, Director, Global Client Relationship Lead – Real Assets is joined by special guest Zahl Limbuwala, Partner at DTCP (Digital Transformation Capital Partners) for a conversation that cuts through the noise surrounding data centre investment.   During the episode they discuss:        The accelerating demand for data centres an...

In the second part of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group's Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to cover the mainstreaming of digital currencies, and how far off a single operating model might be for private markets. During the episode they discuss: The future of digital currencies and tokenised as...

In the first of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group’s Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to take a deep dive into tokenisation and how the full promise of it hasn’t yet been realised.   During this episode they discuss:   The evolution and impact of tokenisation in private markets Operational and...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, Aztec Group's Jon Ball, Head of Global Accounts, is joined by Melanie Collett, Head of Investment Implementation and Real Assets at Aviva Investors, and David Kane, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, to explore how institutional managers can achieve operational alignment and excellence across multiple strategies and jurisdictions. The discussion focu...

In the latest Alternative Insight episode, Aztec Group's Sadrack Belony, Head of Investor Services U.S., and Angel Ramon Martinez Bastida, Head of Regulatory Control, are joined by John Verwey, Partner at Proskauer Rose, to discuss the legal and regulatory landscape U.S. fund managers must navigate to successfully enter European markets During this episode, they discuss: The evolving European regu...

In the latest episode of the Alternative Insight Podcast, Aztec Group’s Andrew Tully and Ben Middleton are joined by Lukas Burkhard, CSO and Head of Investment Solutions at Mercer, to discuss the market trends impacting private markets funds managers today. During this episode - filmed live in our Luxembourg offices - we explore topics including evolving fundraising challenges, retailisation and t...

In the latest Alternative Insight episode, Aztec Group's Sadrack Belony, Head of Investor Services U.S., and Paul Conroy, Group Head of AIFM Services, are joined by Marc Schubert, Partner at Weil Gotshal & Manges, to map out the marketing and structuring essentials for U.S. fund managers eyeing European expansion. During this episode, they discuss: Key routes to market for U.S. managers and ho...

In the latest Alternative Insight episode, Aztec Group's Sadrack Belony, Head of Investor Services U.S., and Dan Kalish, Head of U.S. Fund Services, are joined by Neal Prunier, Managing Director, Industry Affairs at the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA) to explore how LP expectations are shifting and what GPs can do to stay ahead.  During this episode, they discuss: The growing dem...

In the latest Alternative Insight episode, Aztec Group's Sadrack Belony, Head of Investor Services U.S., and Joanne Earles, Senior Client Relationship Manager, are joined by Stefanie Langer, Principal COO/CCO at Corten Real Estate, and Mark Mangion, Head of Financial Crime at Passthrough. During this episode, they discuss: The new US Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) rules on AML and CF...

Deal-by-deal transactions support specific outcomes for managers and investors. Many investors value the close connections they build with independent sponsors through these transactions, which result in heightened trust and transparency in their relationships.   In our latest podcast episode, Aztec Group’s Director of Private Equity Julie Fairclough and Director Daryl Pilcher are joined by Ben Co...

In the latest episode, Aztec Group’s Simon Ware , Associate Director, Innovation and Angel Ramon Martinez Bastida , Senior Regulatory Change Manager are joined by Céline Moille, Counsel from Goodwin Proctor in Luxembourg.    During this episode, they discuss:      The basics of the crypto-asset ecosystem and how it opens up exciting new investment opportunities.  How funds can grow their knowledge...

‘ We must break [barriers], jump over them, or go under them, what matters is we get to the other side ,’ says Hind El Gaidi, Head of Luxembourg at ICG, during the second episode of our two-part podcast series, Women in Leadership – Breaking barriers in the financial sector. This episode includes extracts recorded at an exclusive event at The British Ambassador’s Residence in Luxembourg where Eva...

‘Pay attention to the silence,’ says Forensic leader at KPMG, Anne-Sophie Minaldo, who is one of the guests for this two-part podcast series. The podcast includes extracts from an exclusive event at The British Ambassador’s Residence in Luxembourg where Group Head of Depositary Services  Eva Devine  was joined by Anne-Sophie Minaldo, Forensic Lead at KPMG, Hind El Gaidi, Head of Luxembourg at ICG,...

 Natural capital is the fourth topic for discussion in our Green Infrastructure podcast series. In the latest episode, Aztec Group’s Michele Basilico is joined by Parit Shah, Senior Product Development Manager from Climate Asset Management. During this episode, to discuss:     How returns and environmental, social and climate outcomes can go hand in hand, on the right projects.  How investing in n...

Energy transition – the largest capital reallocation in history is the third topic for discussion in our four-part Green Infrastructure podcast series. In the latest episode, Aztec Group’s Ed Bellew  is joined by Low Carbon founder and Chief Executive Roy Bedlow. During this episode they discuss how:      The energy transition represents the largest and fastest capital reallocation in history, wit...

Investing in sustainable supply chains is the second topic for discussion in our four-part Green Infrastructure podcast series. In the latest episode, Aztec Group’s Joane Koko Eineke is joined by Don Dimitrievich, Portfolio Manager for Energy Infrastructure Credit at Nuveen. During this episode, they discuss:  The growth of investment opportunities in sustainable supply chain, as technology become...

The growing might of sustainable finance is the first topic for discussion in our new, 4-part Green Infrastructure podcast series, exploring the opportunities across the depth and breadth of sustainable investments. In this first episode, Aztec Group’s Katrina Magsino is in conversation with Laetitia Hamon, Head of Sustainable Finance at the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. During this episode, they dis...

How are fund managers adapting their operating models amid evolving market conditions? In the latest episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, our host Ore Adegbotolu is joined by Andrew Muscat, Global Head of Finance and Accounting at Lasalle Investment Management, to speak with him about his experiences and advice on establishing the right operating model for your business.   During this episo...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, we discuss generative AI and explore use-cases with leaders actively working with AI within today's modern business model. Tom Bennett, Head of Innovation, is joined by Steve Steinberg, Co-founder and CEO at Responsum and Dr Andreas Kemper, Managing Director at Gordon Brothers, for what promises to be a fascinating discussion around the recent steep trajecto...