Alternative Insight

In this episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, we’re discussing responsible investing and ESG factors within private infrastructure investing. Our host, Joane Koko Eineke, is joined by industry infrastructure leaders for an insightful conversation: Isela Bahena – Managing Director, Infrastructure Investments – Nuveen Melisa Simic – Senior Director, ESG Integration, Private Infrastructure Inve...

The alternatives fund industry is bracing itself for sweeping changes to regulation, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) proposing reforms targeting private markets funds based and operating in the US. In this episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, we discuss the upcoming SEC reforms – specifically those relating to private markets – with experts from across the alternative...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, we discuss the benefits of generative AI and its impact within the private markets. Hana Prochaska, Group Head of Business Development, Europe, is joined by Charlotte Light, Chief Technology Officer and Tom Bennett, Head of Innovation here at Aztec, for what promises to be a fascinating discussion as they uncover how new technology - and in particular genera...

On Thursday 25 May 2023, the Luxembourg private markets industry gathered at Stade Emile Bintner for Aztec Group’s annual Luxembourg Football Tournament and Networking Event. On this special episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, we’re live at the event and speak to a range of people to find out about their experiences and discuss a range of subjects including diversity, equity and inclusion....

In this episode of Alternative Insight, we discuss the benefits of investing in infrastructure assets during times of uncertainty. Donna Gumbleton, our Head of Real Assets in the UK, is joined by Isela Bahena from Nuveen Real Assets and Infrastructure, and Jordi Francesch from Glennmont Partners. In this conversation, Donna, Isela and Jordi explore the definitions of, and differences between, priv...

In this episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, we take you behind the scenes at the BVCA Alternative Fund Strategy conference at London’s County Hall. The event explored how private equity is diversifying as it matures, looking at how infrastructure, secondaries and private debt can present opportunities to alternative fund managers and investors. Recorded live at County Hall, hear from a ran...

In this bitesize episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, we discuss the UK Government’s Spring Budget announcement. Aztec’s Head of Business Development, James Duffield joins Tom Huelin to talk though Jeremy Hunt’s first statement as Chancellor, how it will affect the alternatives industry, what it could mean for deal-making in 2023 and beyond, and how it could impact the alternatives market g...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, we explore resilience, real estate and ESG with leading real estate investment trust, NewRiver. We chat to NewRiver’s Head of Asset Management and ESG, Emma Mackenzie, and Katrina Magsino, Manager of ESG and Sustainability Services at Aztec. In this insightful discussion, Emma, Julie and Katrina will cover: an overview of NewRiver's investment strategy and f...

Katherine Bond from Mezzana Partners explains how to develop and lead a high performing team, and how to build resilience in your people. Katherine discusses all things high performance with Reshentha Beeby, Private Equity Director at Aztec, and our host, Ross Davidson, Head of Communications at Aztec. In this episode, they cover: defining high performing teams and how they operate; the difference...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, specialist presentation coach, Sartaj Garewal, reveals his secrets to top presenting, how to be prepared and relaxed before a presentation and how to pitch your content to your audience. Sartaj discusses his top tips with Tom Bennett, Head of Aztec's Innovation Team and our host, Tania Duncan, Head of Marketing and Brand at Aztec. They'll discuss: how to pre...

In this episode of Alternative Insight, Chris Barez-Brown of Upping Your Elvis discusses all things energy with Jon Ball, Client Development Director at Aztec, and our host, Tania Duncan, Head of Marketing and Brand at Aztec. Chris walks us through ‘Upping your Elvis’, a concept which encourages people to take a creative leap, in order to achieve more 10 out of 10s. Tania, Jon and Chris cover: how...

What are the emerging trends in the private debt market, and is debt becoming a more reliable asset class than private equity? In this episode, we discuss the growth and accessibility of the asset class, the macroeconomic landscape, and the future outlook of the private debt sector. Kevin Hogan, Group Head of Private Debt at the Aztec Group, is joined by our special guests, Alastair Baird of Rede...

In this episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, James Gow, Chief Client Officer at Aztec, is joined by Maria Liby-Troein, Associate Partner at Bain & Company, and Lise Alm, Chief Strategy Officer at WorldFavor, as we attempt to solve the ESG data challenge in private markets. We discuss the challenges and obstacles managers are facing in providing ESG data to investors – and regulators, how a...

As private markets become more data driven, it’s essential for managers to understand the ethical challenges that arise in terms of how we collect, manage, and utilise data. In this episode of the Alternative Insight podcast, Tom Bennett, Head of Innovation at the Aztec Group is joined by Dan Hughes, Founder of Alpha Property Insight and Sue Chadwick, Strategic Planning Advisor Pinsent Masons LLP,...

In our latest podcast episode, we discuss how investor data demands have evolved over time, and how they could change going forwards. We also consider how data can be used to drive investment decision making, and how important standardisation is to private markets participants looking to harness the power of data in their business. In this episode, Jon Ball, Client Development Director at Aztec, i...

In epsiode 6 of Alternative Insight, we focus on proposals submitted to the Financial Conduct Authority on the introduction of ESG metrics for real estate. Joining Ed Bellew, Director at Aztec, is Bahar Yay Celik from INREV, the European Association for Investors in Non-Listed Real Estate Vehicles, and Oliver Light from Carbon Intelligence, on behalf of the Association of Real Estate Funds (AREF).

In the second part of our Alternative Insight episode focusing on private debt, we explore the impact of the current economic environment on the private debt markets and underlying portfolio businesses. Our host Peter Brown is again joined by Mat James from RBS International, Jamie Macpheson from Macfarlanes, Robin Kennedy from Ernst and Young, and Richard Phillips from Aztec.

In this episode of our Alternative Insight podcast series, we discuss recent changes to LIBOR and the wider impact of these changes on the private debt markets. Our host Peter Brown is joined by Mat James from RBS International, Jamie Macpheson from Macfarlanes, Robin Kennedy from Ernst and Young, and Richard Phillips from Aztec.

In this episode of Alternative Insight podcast series, we discuss all things SFDR, ESG and data convergence with Elin Ljung of Nordic Capital and Harry Briggs of KPMG. The roundtable is hosted by Aztec's Chief Client Officer, James Gow.

Mid-market private equity has been the cornerstone of the industry since it began, coming to define the asset class as a whole. In this episode of Alternative Insight, we turn to the rapidly changing environment that’s creating challenges for many fund managers in the mid-market space. We’ll discuss how these managers are evolving and what this means for the rest of the mid-market.

The distribution waterfall is one of the key components of the private markets model. But how do waterfall calculations work in practice and why is this crucial mechanism so important? In this episode, we provide an overview of the waterfall model and the carried interest process, including definitions of carried interest, typical cash flow movements, waterfalls in practice, what could go wrong -...