ALTERNATIVES NEWS

Catch All the Exclusive Sideline Interviews from ALTSLA 2024

The 9th annual ALTSLA event has concluded, leaving us enriched with valuable insights and meaningful connections. From March 18th to 20th, industry luminaries and forward-thinkers convened in Los Angeles to explore the forefront of alternative investments.

Experience the Highlights of ALTSLA 2024 Through our Photo Gallery

Over three action-packed days, industry titans, CIOs, and investment experts gathered in Los Angeles to explore the latest trends and insights shaping the alternative investment landscape. Relive the excitement through our photo galleries and download your favorites.

Market Chatter, Ohio, Q1 2024

Drawing from the feedback of prominent institutional investors in Ohio, Markets Group has analyzed the diverse approaches that contributed to their success in navigating the turbulent financial landscape of 2023. 

Morningstar and iCapital Announce Strategic Relationship to Expand Financial Advisor Access to Alternative Investments and Insights

Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN) and iCapital have formed a strategic alliance to introduce alternative investments and analytics to users of Advisor WorkstationSM, marking the first time such access is provided.

CFC Appoints Dan Trueman as Chief Underwriting Officer

CFC has announced that Dan Trueman will join the business as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO).

Blackstone Appoints New Co-Chief Investment Officers

Blackstone has announced the appointment of Ken Caplan and Lionel Assant to the newly established positions of Global Co-Chief Investment Officers.

RIT Appoints Maggie Fanari as JRCM CEO

The board of RIT Capital Partners plc (RIT) has announced the appointment of Maggie Fanari as the Chief Executive Officer of its investment manager, J Rothschild Capital Management Limited (JRCM).

SICO Capital Appointed Bassam Abdulaziz Noor as Saudi Arabia CEO

Bassam Abdulaziz Noor has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of SICO Capital in Saudi Arabia.

PINTEC Appoints Xin Yang as CFO

Pintec Technology Holdings Limited has named Mr. Xin Yang as its Chief Financial Officer, effective from December 29, 2023.

Guggenheim Appoints Steve Brown as CIO Fixed Income for GPIM

Guggenheim Investments has appointed Steve Brown as Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income for Guggenheim Partners Investment Management (GPIM).

Former BlackRock Manager to Become the Head of Investment For a New Hedge Fund

David Tovey, formerly a fund manager at BlackRock until 2021, is involved in a team preparing to launch a hedge fund in London and Zurich in the first quarter of 2024.

KPMG International Appoints David Rowlands as Global Head of AI

KPMG International has named David Rowlands as Global Head of AI.

AXA Named Rémi Lambert as CIO for Architas

Rémi Lambert has been appointed as Chief Investment Officer for Architas at AXA Investment Managers, effective immediately.

PIMCO Appoints Sung‑Hee Suh as Global General Counsel

PIMCO has appointed Sung-Hee Suh as Global General Counsel.

Olivier Houix Appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Ostrum Asset Management

Olivier Houix has been named the Chief Executive Officer of Ostrum Asset Management, succeeding Philippe Setbon, who has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Natixis Investment Managers.

Natixis Investment Managers Names Laura Kaliszewski as Global Head of Client Sustainable Investing

Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM) has announced the appointment of Laura Kaliszewski as the Global Head of Client Sustainable Investing.

Forest Investment Associates Announces Mike Cerchiaro as New President

Forest Investment Associates (FIA), a global SEC-registered investment adviser specializing in sustainable forest investments, has announced the promotion of Mike Cerchiaro to the position of President and CEO, effective January 1, 2024.

PIMCO Appoints Mohit Mittal as Core Strategies CIO

PIMCO has appointed Mohit Mittal as Chief Investment Officer – Core Strategies. In this capacity, he will supervise fixed-income portfolios within PIMCO's core suite of strategies, encompassing Low and Moderate Duration, Total Return, and Long Duration.

Options Promotes Laura McCann to Chief Financial Officer

Options Technology has announced the promotion of Laura McCann to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 

Renaissance Technologies Names David Lippe as Co-CEO

Renaissance Technologies has selected David Lippe, a longtime employee, to serve as co-chief executive officer of the $40 billion hedge fund firm.

Jay Brown to Retire as Crown Castle President and CEO

Crown Castle has announced that Jay Brown will retire as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Company, effective January 16, 2024.

Blackbird Raises $647 Billion for Australia’s Biggest Venture Capital Fund

The fund will invest in “generational companies born in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand”.

Renewable Fuel and Sustainable Energy Charge Up University of Michigan Endowment’s Return

U-M reports a gain of 2.2%, making it the third Big 10 school to post a positive number for fiscal year.

Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Funds World’s First Alcohol Jet Fuel Plant

The plant is expected to produce 9 million gallons of aviation fuel and 1 million gallons of renewable diesel annually. 

Maine Public Employees Retirement System to Exit from Audax Lending Strategy, Invest in Farallon Fund

$17.8 billion system is building up its risk diversifiers portfolio.

Moves over Past 10 Years Paying Off for School Employees Retirement System of Ohio

CIO Farouki Majeed sees benefits in switching away from hedge funds to private credit and infrastructure.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Commits $800 Million to Funds

Bulk of capital deployed into two private equity funds and a real estate fund.

Former Texas Municipal Retirement System PE Director Launches Alternative Investment Advisory Firm

Christopher Schelling starts 512 Alternatives after recent stints with Venturi Private Wealth and Windmuehle Companies.

Endowments and Foundations Appear Poised to Increase Investing in Private Credit, Real Estate & Infrastructure

Study by KKR finds CIOs are looking to increase exposure to illiquid investments but want ones providing more upfront yields.

State of Wisconsin Investment Board Free to Invest in PE & Hedge Funds Without Consultant Approval

But SWIB’s private markets CIO said division will continue to work with consultants.

Q&A: Marat Zapparov, CEO of Temasek-Backed Pentagreen Capital, Talks Infrastructure Opportunities

The Asian Development Bank estimates that US$3.1 trillion of investment is required for climate-adjusted infrastructure in Southeast Asia alone by 2030.

Energy Impact Partners’ $390M European Fund Gets Support from ABP and Others

New York-based EIP has $2.5 billion in assets under management.

BlackRock Real Assets Buys New Zealand’s solarZero in APAC Clean Energy Push

This is BlackRock Real Assets’ first investment in New Zealand and its first residential solar investment in the Asia Pacific.

University of Chicago Office of Investments Sees Another Team Leader Retire

Matthew H. Stone, who oversaw public markets and absolute return, is stepping down after 23 years.

Strong Alternatives Performance May Help Florida SBA with Efforts to Lift Restrictions

System is currently limited to 20% of its allocation in private equity, credit, hedge funds and infrastructure.

Veteran Managing Director Leaves University of Southern California Investment Office

Edgar Smith’s future plans are not known.

BlackRock Goes Big on Batteries in Australia, Citing ‘Tremendous’ Opportunity for Investors

Battery storage is expected to play a critical role in getting Australia’s power generation mix to 82% renewables by 2030.

LPs’ Interest in PE & VC Down, Hedge Funds Up

Respondents see VC as most overvalued and are more wary of emerging markets.

Florida State Board of Administration Will Seek to Increase Alternatives Cap in Fall

SBA currently restricted from making new PE, VC, credit, hedge fund and infrastructure commitments.

Ontario Teachers’ Acquires Sahyadri Hospitals in Fund’s First Buyout in India

This is the latest in a string of healthcare investments by Ontario Teachers’. 

KLP, LACERA, AP1 Back HitecVision Energy Transition

Nordic sovereign, city pensions among seven investors in HitecVision’s energy fund.

Maine Public Employee Retirement System Commits to Two Funds

Pension plan is in midst of implementing recent asset allocation changes.

State of Rhode Island’s Investment Team Sees Departure, Promotions

Jonathan Popielarski leaving role as director of private assets; Justin Maistrow becomes deputy CIO.

Blackstone Grows Green Energy Portfolio with Investment in Dutch Rooftop Solar Company

Esdec generates annual sales of close to 506 million. 

Insights: Bay Bridge highlight the importance of sustainability and inclusivity across the investment process

Kim Kolt is co-founder and General Partner at Bay Bridge Ventures, the first purpose-built, institutional ESG and Sustainability focused venture capital firm. Bay Bridge is committed to inclusivity  - starting from leadership and continuing through the underlying investments - in addition to responsible stewardship - active, high-engagement investing through multiple stages of development.

The Curious History of CAIA

Despite its modest origin, CAIA has expanded into a globally recognized designation, and alternatives are hardly alternative.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Powers Up Energy Investing

System looks to double investing in sector in ’22, driven in part by success in backing natural gas entities.

In Conversation: Opportunities in Credit Have Not Been this Attractive in Quite Some Time

Capital Four US CEO and Portfolio Manager Jim Wiant discusses opportunities across credit markets and credit strategies given recent changes in market conditions.

Despite Short-Term Challenges, the Future of Digital Assets is Bright, Menai’s Cruz Says

Digital innovation, cryptocurrency valuations and the future of the digital asset ecosystem are all hot-button issues as digital asset managers navigate a market full of innovations – and pitfalls.

Despite Recession Risks, BlackRock Sees Opportunities in Commodities

Minerals needed in the clean energy transition include lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel.

The Alternative Strategies that Have Delivered for Kiwi Wealth Amid the Market Sell-off

It has backed diversified macro trend-following managers that target macro trends in energy and agricultural commodities, bond futures, currencies and other assets.

Berkshire Hathaway Buys Two Australian Solar Farms

Berkshire Hathaway’s CalEnergy Resources has also agreed to codevelop additional renewable energy facilities in the country.

Iowa Public Employees’ and Other State Funds Show Patience Needed to Alter Asset Allocation Plan

‘Ambitious’ plan involved changing private equity, private credit, real assets and fixed income mix.

Florida State Board of Administration Exceeds Alternatives Limit, Halts New Sector Investments

Interim CIO says pension plan will seek to have Florida legislature lift cap.

Africa’s Largest Investment Manager Plans Big Shift to Private Assets

Earlier this year, the Public Investment Corporation signed a new unlisted assets mandate with its biggest client. 

Cryptocurrency Hedge Fund Three Arrows Capital Defaults

The price of bitcoin has fallen by around two-thirds since November 12.

Apollo and Hostplus launch $1.25B Asia Pacific Credit Strategy

The strategy launches with US$1.25B in assets, with a $500M anchor commitment from Hostplus.

Poorly Funded Teachers’ Retirement System of the State of Illinois Reports Strong Quarter

System also commits over $5 billion of capital to managers.

Alternative Assets Veteran Garrison Retires from TCU

He spent 14 years at the endowment after leading private markets at Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Private Equity, Venture Capital Firms Are Driving the Alternative Protein Industry

Market could be worth $1T by 2050, according to some projections.

English and Wales Pension Funds Set to Invest More in Private Markets

Survey finds majority expect allocations to increase by between 5% and 10%.

Out of Bounds: Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Shakes Up Professional Golf

Dustin Johnson, the former world No. 1, and South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen are among those who have quit the PGA tour in favor of the fund’s breakaway series.

‘No Returns from a Dead Planet:’ Temasek Chair’s Warning After Launching Climate Fund

With an initial war chest of $3.6B, Temasek’s new GenZero subsidiary aims to accelerate decarbonization.

CDPQ to Invest Up to $5B in DP World, Dubai Ports and Logistics

Canadian pension fund invests in ports, industrial real estate in UAE.

Cbus Super Invests in Major Australian Offshore Wind Project

Star of the South is Cbus’ first direct investment in offshore wind in Australia.

Macquarie Secures $4.2B for Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Fund

The fund has already made sizable investments in telecommunications, renewable energy and other sectors.

Blackstone Bolsters Asia-Pacific Credit Business as It Eyes Growth

Alts manager Blackstone appoints Mark Glengarry as Head of Asia-Pacific Origination at its credit unit, BXC.

Korea Investment Corporation Increases Allocations to Alternatives

AUM grew 12% in 2021, the sovereign wealth fund says. 

Apollo to Roll Out HNW Retail Business Next Year

CEO Marc Rowan explained the new business model during Milken Institute Global Conference. 

SFERS Has Busy First Quarter with $500M in Commitments

Battery Ventures, New Mountain, Threshold and ArchiMed are among those backed.

New Asset Allocation Strategy on Tap for Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana

VC and real estate targeted for hikes.

Oregon PERF’s Private Equity Allocation Tops Public Equity for First Time

PERF has allocated 27% of its fund to private equity and 25.2% to public equities.  

Introduction to the Five Marks