Alternative Insight

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 episode they discuss:

In the last episode of this three-part Alternative Insight podcast series, our special guests discuss what makes Luxembourg so attractive for global fund managers and investors who are planning to market their funds in the EU. Our host Stephanie Atnas is joined for the final time by Nicolas Mackel, CEO of Luxembourg for Finance, Claire Burke, Managing Director of Luxembourg at Bluegem Capital, and Peter Brown, Jurisdictional Head of Luxembourg at Aztec Group. During this episode, they discuss:

In the second episode of this 3-part Alternative Insight series, our host Stephanie Atnas is joined again by Nicolas Mackel, CEO of Luxembourg for Finance, Claire Burke, Managing Director of Luxembourg at Bluegem, Capital, and Peter Brown, Jurisdictional Head of Luxembourg at Aztec Group. During the discussion, they talk all things ‘innovation’ – and how the alternatives market in Luxembourg is rapidly transforming to deliver a better experience for investors and investment managers.During this conversation, they discuss:

In the first episode of this 3-part Alternative Insight series, our host Stephanie Atnas is joined by Nicolas Mackel, CEO of Luxembourg for Finance, Claire Burke, Managing Director of Luxembourg at Blue Gem Capital, and Peter Brown, Jurisdictional Head of Luxembourg at Aztec Group. During the discussion they explore the economic outlook for Luxembourg in 2024, and how this will play into the the wider alternatives market globally. During this conversation, they discuss:

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 trajectory of AI influencing operational decisions. In this conversation, they explore:

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: During this conversation, they discuss:

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 alternatives fund industry in the US giving their views on the proposed reforms. Our host, Lynne Westbrook, is joined by: In this episode we discuss:

In this episode of Alternative Insight, we discuss recent revisions to the ELTIF (European Long-Term Investment Fund) regime made by the European Parliament, and whether these amendments are simply tinkering or will in fact turbocharge the establishment of ELTIFs. Our host, Hana Prochaska, is joined by our special guests for an insightful conversation: - Christophe Verboomen, Public Affairs Manager – Invest Europe - Jean-Christian Six, Regulatory and Asset Management Partner – Allen & Overy - Rocio Goenechea, Partner – Oquendo Capital During this conversation, they discuss: - The background to the ELTIF 2.0 legislation; - ELTIF eligibility; - The success of ELTIFs to-date; - Regulatory timings, challenges, advantages and complexities; - What changes mean for the alternative investment industry; and - Their views on the regulatory developments.

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 generative AI - is influencing private markets. In this conversation, Hana, Charlotte and Tom explore: - What is generative AI? - Where are private markets on the Gen AI revolution? - How quickly could AI be adopted? - How will AI transform operational decisions within the deal-making process for clients within private equity and venture capital markets? - What can Gen AI be used for? - What does the future development of AI look like?

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. Hear from a range of guests, including: Hana Prochaska: Aztec’s Head of Business Development - Europe (1:04) Zequeline Gomes: Aztec Group Women’s captain (4:02) Geraud Verstraeten: Business Development Associate Director Aztec Group (6:14) Maxime Vandemaele: Apollo Global (9:46) Vincent Oliveira: Julius Baer Europe S.A. (13:23) Peter Brown: Head of Luxembourg, Aztec Group (16:02) Charlie Bowen: Alpha Group (20:10) Adina Kakanskas: KPMG Luxembourg (scorer of the winning goal in the women’s final) (25:09)

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, private and public infrastructure; the effects of current market conditions on investment allocations; private infrastructure as an alternative to other asset classes; their firms’ investment decisions and innovations; the trends and opportunities for the future of infrastructure; and investment strategies being deployed across equity and debt.alternatives

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 range of guests including Aztec panellists and members of the BVCA team, as they relay their key learnings from the event: Katrina Magsino and Kevin Hogan on ESG in Private Debt (00:35), James Duffield on secondaries (04:16), Nicola Heffernan (Aztec) and Suzi Gillespie (BVCA) on D&I and women in private markets (09:58), James Duffield (Aztec) and Chris Elphick (BVCA) on Infrastech (14:41),

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 going forward.

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 focus; their ESG journey; their approaches to environmental, social and governance factors; educational challenges and opportunities around ESG in private markets; NewRiver's approach to their communities and tenants; ESG reporting and benchmarking practices and challenges; and NewRiver's future objectives and targets.

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 differences between high performance and results; how teams can attain high performance status; understanding potential challenges to high performance; how leaders can develop a high performance culture within their teams; embedding values and behaviours through a high performance mindset and culture; top tips for creating high performance teams; and the advice they'd give to their younger selves.

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 prepare and relax before presenting; tips on making presentations and messages concise and to the point; focusing on what your audience should take away from your presentation; how to differentiate and hold an audience's attention; embracing interactivity and audience participation; building confidence in your approach and your presentation style; top tips for successful presenting; and career advice for their younger selves.

In this episode of Alternative Insight, Andra Tocaciu from the Aztec Academy discusses all things coaching with Debbie Reeve from Aztec's Real Assets team and our host, Ross Davidson, Head of Communications at Aztec. They'll cover: how coaching is defined by the Aztec Academy; identifying existing knowledge in those being trained; how to become a great coach; how to develop a coaching mindset; the benefits of coaching for teams; and the dynamics between leadership, management and coaching.

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 we define energy and break it down into physical, mental, emotional and spiritual; 'Talk It Out' – a daily technique to help people process their subconscious thoughts and understand what's really important to them; what leaders can do to nurture the right energy in their teams; the advice they'd give their younger selves; what achievements and reflections have stuck with them; and top tips for our listeners in upping their energy levels.

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 Partners and Stuart Hawkins of Ardian.

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 lack of standardisation is making ESG benchmarking more difficult, and the effect regulation has had on ESG data collection and distribution.