The Expert | The DRAWDºWN

15 July 2024

The Drawdown Awards 2024: ESG Professional of the Year

Serge Younes of Investindustrial is ESG Professional of the Year

15 July 2024

The Drawdown Awards 2024: Rising Star of the Year

Matthew Maguire of Park Square Capital is Rising Star of the Year

15 July 2024

The Drawdown Awards 2024: COO of the Year

Andrew Haywood of Park Square Capital is COO of the Year

11 July 2024

The Drawdown Awards 2024: Viva Altvia!

The Drawdown speaks to Brie Aletto, CEO of Altvia about its success at The Drawdown Awards

10 July 2024

The Drawdown Awards 2024: The Citco way

The Drawdown talks to Jay Peller of the Citco group of companies (Citco) about its success at The Drawdown Awards

8 July 2024

Column: The performance prescription

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates on the value of integrating health into development programmes

10 June 2024

The changing shape of the fund administration landscape

Consolidation in the fund administration industry is enabling boutique players to provide bespoke services to smaller firms, say Ogier Global’s David Fowler and David Harvey

10 June 2024

Push and pull

Nicola Le Brocq, director – funds and corporate at Jersey Finance, discusses the importance of fostering an ecosystem fit for the future

10 June 2024

A supportive function

Alter Domus’s Alexander Traub discusses how regulation, fundraising trends and increasingly bespoke investor requirements are placing unprecedented demands on the operations of fund managers

10 June 2024

A sustainable fund by any other name

Bruce Jackson, chief of digital asset funds and business at Apex Group, discusses the value of private asset fund tokenisation

10 June 2024

Adapting to change

Consolidation, changing regulatory requirements and emerging investment trends are shaking up the private markets, but can fund administrators convert these upheavals into opportunities?

10 June 2024

The future of fund administration is now

Vistra’s Caroline Baker and Rosemary McCollin discuss how proliferating reporting requirements and emerging technologies are creating progress, and frictions, in the private equity sector

10 June 2024

Elevating expectations

CSC’s Ram Chandrasekar suggests that alternative fund managers should demand more from their fund administrators

10 June 2024

Private equity’s data transformation journey

The ability to access timely, accurate and granular data in an automated fashion is critical to creating an efficient and scalable operating model, says Tim Harvey, Citco’s head of private equity and private credit in North America

10 June 2024

Optimising the new for the now

MUFG Investor Services’ chief commercial officer Joseph Latini discusses how preparation and execution are key to success in new global alternative markets

10 June 2024

Why is there such a high churn rate in fund administration?

Aidan O’Flanagan, group head of funds at Highvern, investigates the high turnover and transition rates evident in the sector

10 June 2024

The trends that cannot be ignored

Michael Johnson from Gen II outlines private equity’s process, technology and talent trends that should be front and centre

3 June 2024

In Conversation: Connecting high tech with high touch

As processes become increasingly automated and data determined, what role will personal connections and interaction play in the future of private markets?

3 June 2024

Justify my loan

Malcolm Goddard, partner at Crooklets, makes a case for greater use of fund finance in PE and argues good advisers are increasingly essential

6 May 2024

In Conversation: Connecting private markets through AI

The next generation of AI tools have the potential to transform private markets but how widespread is their adoption by GPs, their service providers and LPs?

6 May 2024

Q&A: Speed, stability, service

HSBC Innovation Banking’s strategic fund solutions team explain how they focus on agility to solve the financing needs of midmarket private equity

6 May 2024

Q&A: Automation evaluation

Jeremy Hocter, managing director at Holland Mountain, explains which AI tools have the strongest use cases for private equity

6 May 2024

Column: Govern-ready AI

Dörte Höppner, chief sustainability officer at the Riverside Company, on AI governance in PE

24 April 2024

Calculated risks

In a volatile macroeconomic environment, it is key to continuously assess challenges and changes in the marketplace, according to Tim Eberle from the Citco group of companies (Citco)

24 April 2024

An industry in flux

Nicc Wright, chief operating officer at Daappa, outlines the imperative for data sovereignty, transparency and control in a tightening regulatory landscape

24 April 2024

Forging the path to democratisation

Providing all types of investors, from institutional to retail, with access to alternatives is vastly increasing the administrative burden on back and middle offices. But technology can provide a solution, says Anduin’s Eliot Hodges

24 April 2024

Quality control

Ensuring the quality of underlying data is vital, say Lantern’s Charlie Markham (pictured) and Aztec Group’s Matt Horton and Geraldine O’Rourke

24 April 2024

Leveraging potential

Tim Friedman, head of commercial at private equity consulting firm Holland Mountain, explains how technology can support the market

24 April 2024

Fund financing 2.0

The rapid evolution in the space calls for more robust tech capabilities to fully harness its potential, says Hazeltree's Phil McKendry

23 April 2024

Comment: Impact assessment

John Young, international counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton, assesses social impact under the SFDR and SDR

8 April 2024

Comment: Retaining control of the detail

Understanding the details, nuances and variables of carry plan management is key for private equity firms aiming to attract and retain talent, argues Ryan Burger of PFA Solutions

4 April 2024

In Conversation: Solving for valuations with technology

Highlights from a recent breakfast event in London hosted by The Drawdown on importance of getting valuations right, not just for reporting purposes but also for value creation

2 April 2024

Column: Optimise to incentivise

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Advisors considers whether incentive schemes in private equity do enough to develop talent

27 March 2024

Comment: Parental advisory

Barry Fishley, partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges provides, an update for PE firms on data privacy enforcement in the UK

20 March 2024

Comment: Technology’s sustainability challenge

It is time to embrace the opportunities that come with the technology industry’s shortcomings, according to Bettina Denis, head of sustainability at Revaia

20 March 2024

The power of cyber risk intelligence in private equity

Proactive cyber risk management is essential to preserving value across the investment lifecycle, says chief executive and KYND founder Andy Thomas

20 March 2024

Evolving retail trends

Technology has an integral role to play as private markets adapt to the needs and expectations of retail investors and HNWIs, according to Yann Magnan, CEO and co-founder of 73 Strings, and Jonathan Balkin, co-founder and executive director of Lionpoint

20 March 2024

Entering a transformative era

AI-based deal-sourcing tools can automate market mapping and company research, giving firms the time they need for higher-value activities. Ruth Eagle is head of origination at CBPE, a client of deal-sourcing platform Sourcescrub

20 March 2024

ESG considerations are here to stay

Dasseti’s Billy Cotter and Evan Crowley discuss the most talked-about acronym in the private equity industry

20 March 2024

Transforming portfolio monitoring and ops with tech

Establishing a centralised point of contact and a single source of truth is critical for portfolio monitoring and reporting, says Pratap Narayan Singh, senior director and head of private markets at Acuity Knowledge Partners

20 March 2024

Case study: A customised approach

Kim Carter from LKCM Headwater and Passthrough’s Ben Doran explain how collaboration is key for a successful partnership

20 March 2024

Q&A: The digital edge

Yair Erez and David Poole, partners at Stanley Capital, discuss how the firm is using a combination of proprietary and third-party technology to accelerate target identification and expedite deal conversion

20 March 2024

Q&A: A model idea

A bespoke solution was key for ECI’s deal origination process according to Suzanne Pike, partner and head of origination at the firm

20 March 2024

Q&A: Building a tech Nexus

NorthEdge’s Lucie Mills and James Hales discuss how the mid-cap GP is using technology to support deal origination, identify potential deal targets and enrich various interactions

20 March 2024

Q&A: A journey of discovery

Philippe Laval, chief technology officer at Jolt Capital, discusses its proprietary software platform Ninja, and reflects on the highs and lows of bringing the system to life

20 March 2024

Q&A: Transforming with tech

David Floyd, vice-president at global investment firm Permira, talks to The Drawdown about how the business is harnessing advanced analytics and AI to drive competitive advantage in deal sourcing and its funds’ portfolio companies

12 March 2024

Comment: This far, but no further

Charlie Chipchase, managing director and head of Europe at Petra Funds Group, assesses whether the SEC’s long-awaited Climate Disclosure Rule goes too far or not far enough

7 March 2024

Column: Brand management

Cressida Hamilton, executive coach at Chryse Coaching, argues it is vitally important for your career to build your own personal brand

22 February 2024

Comment: What you need to know about ELTIF 2.0

Karma Samdup and Vicki Odette, partners at Haynes & Boone, examine how ELTIF 2.0 aims to unlock private market access for retail investors

8 February 2024

Column: Youth appeal

The Riverside Company's chief sustainability officer Dörte Höppner examines the crucial role of sustainable investing for younger investors

7 February 2024

Comment: Court controversy

Matthew Pincus, international counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton, warns that a recent court decision increases risk for non-US funds active in the US

5 February 2024

Comment: PE must act now on climate

John Rastrick, founder and CEO of Flotilla outlines the three things PE should be doing post-COP28

15 January 2024

Comment: Pain relief from PTR

Jacqueline Petts, partner at Greyhound Capital, says the new Preferential Treatment Rules make the case for AI even more compelling

15 January 2024

Networking for introverts

Cressida Hamilton, executive coach at Chryse Coaching, has some advice for those who wince at the thought of corporate small talk

11 January 2024

Comment: New year, new toolkit

Griff Norville of Hamilton Lane examines how private markets are embracing the next generation of tech

8 January 2024

In Conversation: Solving the liquidity gap in fund finance

Highlights from a recent roundtable discussing the biggest challenges GPs are facing when trying to secure fund financing

2 January 2024

Comment: The building blocks

Karma Samdup and Vicki Odette, partners at Haynes & Boone, explore the core elements needed when building a successful PE firm

2 January 2024

Comment: Pitfalls and potential

PwC's Toby Venables and David O’Brien explore how to unlock the value of GenAI in private markets operations

2 January 2024

Q&A: Outsourcing utopia

Tim Harvey of Citco Fund Services (USA inc), explains how it is vital to build a real partnership with your fund admin

21 December 2023

Comment: Rules of AI traction

Matt Guy, associate director at Federated Hermes GPE, details the foundations needed to ensure successful implementation of GenAI in private markets

20 December 2023

Comment: Brand building materials

Olivia Barry of Prosek Partners explains how social media and branding have become increasingly important to private market fundraising

19 December 2023

Column: Tech-tonic talent

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates argues that AI-led transformations of business will require a seismic shift towards critical thinking

15 December 2023

Comment: Time for a new model

Fintech has the potential to revolutionise climate risk assessment in asset management during the next three years, writes Sergei Grechkin, chief risk officer at UFG Capital

7 December 2023

Comment: Appeals to better nature

William Yonge, a partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, analyses the recommendations of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures and how GPs can respond

4 December 2023

Comment: Who’s afraid of the US tax system?

James Debate, corporate senior tax manager at USTAXFS, explains how European PE firms can unpick the US tax system to win over US pension fund investors

22 November 2023

Comment: Pillar Two ex post

Asset managers need to carefully consider the implications of Luxembourg’s proposed implementation of the OECD’s Pillar Two rules, argue Bastien Voisin, Yann Ricard and Olha Polishchuk of Goodwin

16 November 2023

Column: A contribution ill defined

The advantages of greater volumes of UK pension money being allocated to alternatives are obvious, says Zetland Capital partner Malcolm Goddard, if an attitude of inertia can be overcome

15 November 2023

Comment: Family resemblance

Ilias Georgopoulos, global head of private and institutional asset owners at IQ-EQ, highlights how the strategies of sovereign wealth funds are increasingly similar to those of family offices

9 November 2023

Comment: Burden of proof

Amelia Stawpert and Alex Jones of Hogan Lovells analyse the impact of the ECCTA on UK limited partnerships

6 November 2023

Raising the Liechtenstein flag

LGT’s Julien Ward and Bjoern Kogler explain the unique advantages of domiciling in Liechtenstein

30 October 2023

Comment: Outsmarting the slowdown

Scott Ramsey of MUFG Investor Services explores how finance and ops leaders are laying the groundwork for growth

16 October 2023

Column: Everyone an ESG expert? Forget about it

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates considers digital dementia, ESG and the value of prioritising critical thinking

13 October 2023

Comment: Beware non-EU entities bearing gifts

Dechert partners Michael Okkonen and Clemens York examine the impact of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation on private equity transactions

2 October 2023

Column: Seeking diversity in adversity

Dörte Höppner of The Riverside Company argues that an economic downturn is the ideal time for PE firms to diversify their talent pools

21 September 2023

In conversation: The real cost of ESG

With a spate of new rules hitting the industry, alongside increasing LP demands, how much does it actually cost to be ESG compliant and how can these efforts be more than just a cost centre?

21 September 2023

Comment: Ensuring insurers and pension funds invest in PE

Eric de Montgolfier, CEO of Invest Europe, says amendments voted on in July offer a unique opportunity to address the shortcomings of Solvency II

18 September 2023

Column: ChatGPT: Enhancement or hindrance?

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates considers the ways AI applications such as ChatGPT could both boost and diminish human cognition

11 September 2023

Comment: Comply or get off the pension pots

Mayer Brown lawyers examine how defined benefit occupational pension schemes add an additional layer of complexity when a PE firm acquires a distressed business.

6 September 2023

Comment: Financing for the future

Proskauer’s Cameron Roper and Paul Tannenbaum explain why it is vital to get the structure and financing right for secondaries

4 September 2023

Column: The valuation conundrum

Malcolm Goddard, COO of Zetland Capital, questions whether the industry built up to assess PE valuations is fit for purpose

31 August 2023

Comment: A generative approach

Beyond AI's mainstream buzz, increasing applications for private equity are becoming impossible to ignore, according to Lantern’s Tom Richardson

21 August 2023

Comment: Mulling cyber risks

Abacus Group CTO Paul Ponzeka examines how to manage third-party security risks without compromising on competitive edge

15 August 2023

Column: Searching for harmony

The Riverside Company's Dörte Höppner assesses the competing ESG standards impacting PE and how they could be more in tune with each other

7 August 2023

Comment: Avoiding the tripwires

Pinsent Masons partner Mark Shaw details how to avoid regulatory issues when distributing non-EU funds within the EU

6 July 2023

Comment: Baby don’t harm me

Patricia Volhard (partner) and John Young (international counsel) at Debevoise & Plimpton say the concept of ‘do no significant harm' in the SFDR is becoming clearer

29 June 2023

Comment: Cutting through conflicts in GP-led transactions

Travers Smith’s Victoria Bramall and James Ravden outline five strategies to mitigate conflicts in GP-led deals

29 June 2023

Column: You are worth it

Executive coach Cressida Hamilton, of Chryse Coaching, provides advice to COOs on how to demonstrate their value

26 June 2023

Comment: Decision delegation

Hamish Paget-Brown, associate at ECI Partners , explores the potential of AI to lead decision making in the private equity market.

22 June 2023

Comment: Preparing for regulatory changes in 2023

Ros Clark, regulatory risk assistant director, NatWest Trustee & Depositary Services details the upcoming regulatory changes financial services firms need to prepare for in 2023.

19 June 2023

Comment: Future-proofing operational models key to supporting global GP ambitions

Elliot Refson, head of funds at Jersey Finance, says the jurisdiction’s JPF and LLC structures provide stability in a turbulent environment

8 June 2023

Column: Walking on eggshells

Zetland Capital COO Malcolm Goddard explores the possible implications of ATAD III, also known as the Unshelling Directive, on holding companies

30 May 2023

Column: A mindfully bigger brain

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates discusses the benefits of meditation as the golden ticket to brain hacking

30 May 2023

The conversation: Are you prepared? Liquidity strategies in a turbulent market

The Drawdown hosted a webinar to discuss how managers can respond to liquidity and risk management challenges that have been thrown into sharp focus in recent weeks

3 May 2023

Comment: Transforming the alternative investment industry

Alter Domus's chief commercial officer Alex Traub discusses the fund administrator's digital transformation

14 April 2023

Comment: Welcome to the altverse

Rafay, Farooqui, founder and CEO of +SUBSCRIBE, outlines the need for a novel private markets' digital tech stack to replace fragmented, manual and paper-based workflows of the past

14 April 2023

Comment: Empowering the middle office

Patrycja Dos Santos, middle office specialist at AssetMetrix, shares her thoughts on the need for a full middle office services platform and current trends towards tech-enabled solutions

30 March 2023

Comment: DORA - a paradigm shift

Robert D Maddox and Tristan Lockwood at Debevoise & Plimpton assess new continuity requirements and suggest organisational and technical changes will be needed to comply

28 March 2023

Comment: Antitrust in me

Merger enforcers turn up the heat on private equity: what can you do to stay cool?

3 January 2023

Comment: Why the DPI performance metric is so important to investors today

ECI’s Jeremy Lytle urges private equity firms to use appropriate performance metrics as macroeconomic turbulence attracts greater investor scrutiny

19 December 2022

Column: The power of reflection

As the year draws to a close, Nikki Swan - founder of Mindful Swan, explores the benefits of self-reflection and the ways in which it can support achieving goals

8 December 2022

The great talent depression

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates believes private equity firms can be doing much more to better understand, and therefore attract fresh talent

5 December 2022

Comment: Known or knowable? It depends

Nic Müller, CEO of Avega Capital Management, looks at a recent clarification to the IPEV guidelines, and hopes greater harmonisation is coming

1 December 2022

Column: You are what you eat

Natalia Ramsden of Sofos Associates highlights the importance of nutrition when it comes to performance

28 November 2022

Comment: The dangers of an uncertain legacy

History bears witness to the destructive potential of unplanned succession, but private equity and VC funds aren't planning for it, especially in Europe. Diana Meyel, managing partner at Cipio Partners, considers the dangers and strategies surrounding a strangely unexamined issue

7 November 2022