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 focuses on driving scale and efficiency through technology and evolving operating models. 

During this episode they discuss:

• Why technology alone doesn’t create value
• The need to evolve operating models and servicing partnerships over time
• How to deliver a seamless, consistent experience for investors across asset classes, jurisdictions, and currencies

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 regulatory environment and its impact on U.S. managers
• Compliance considerations when marketing to European investors
• ​​Practical steps to streamline your fund launch and avoid costly missteps

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 the continued growth of the secondaries market. We also explore fund financing, in particular NAV-based lending and subscription credit lines.  During this episode, we discuss:

1. Fundraising trends, and how Mercer are adapting. 
2. The increasing difficulty in identifying winners. 
3. The retailisation of private markets 
4. Exit strategies, and the increase in continuation funds and GP-led secondaries 
5. How NAV-based lending and subscription credit lines are gaining traction 
6. And how technology and automation is streamlining fund financing and risk management. 

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 how they differ
• Fund structuring best practices and how to avoid common missteps
• Fund domicile selection and how to align this with investor targeting

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:

1. The growing demand for granular, standardized reporting
2. How ILPA's templates are helping drive consistency
3. Why tech and third-party admin support is becoming a non-negotiable
4. What it takes to stand out as a best-in-class GP in today's market

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:

1. The new US Financial Crime Enforcement Network (FinCEN) rules on AML and CFT.
2. The impact these changes will have on advisers.
3. The importance of starting the compliance process early.
4. Potential penalties for non-compliance.
5. Seeking expertise from third-party service providers.

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 Cocoracchio, Partner at Addleshaw Goddard, and Christiaan de Lint, Managing Partner at Headway Capital Partners, to discuss the role of an independent sponsor and why their deal-by-deal transactions are becoming increasingly topical in a tough macroeconomic climate.

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: 
   

1. The basics of the crypto-asset ecosystem and how it opens up exciting new investment opportunities. 
2. How funds can grow their knowledge about digital assets to be able to invest in them in a compliant and risk-managed way. 
3. The custody requirements for crypto-assets and how managers can better understand the digital asset custody requirements. 
4. The legal and regulatory aspects of managing crypto-assets, including insights on DORA, MiCA, and other relevant regulations. 

‘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 Devine, Aztec Group’s Head of Depositary continues the discussion with Anne-Sophie Minaldo, Forensic Lead at KPMG, Hind El Gaidi, Head of Luxembourg at ICG, and Barbara Leveel, Director General, Human Resources at European Investment Bank. ​​​​​​

• How women can harness their superpower - their identity - to meet challenges.
• How private markets can contribute to gender parity by making choices beyond ticking boxes.
• What workplace policies have the biggest impact in supporting women to reach leadership positions.

If you like what you heard, head to Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts, find Alternative Insight podcast by the Aztec Group and hit the subscribe button, so that you receive all future episodes as soon as they’re published!

‘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, and Barbara Leveel, Director General, Human Resources at European Investment Bank. ​​​​​​

These three senior leaders in finance share their extensive knowledge of effecting workplace change to build better, more inclusive cultures across the financial sector.  

During this episode, they discuss:

• How the power of representation and mentoring the younger generation is non-negotiable in helping the workplace change.
• What actions people should take to ensure women and men have equal space to share their ideas and opinions at work.
• Alternative ways to prepare for challenging meetings and certain aspects of your role in a way which builds confidence and drives success.

 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 natural capital can help to deliver sustainable solutions that are regenerative rather than extractive. 

• How a nature-based carbon strategy verifies and generates carbon credits in the voluntary carbon market. 

• How these strategies will increasingly mobilise bigger pools of capital from insurance companies, pension funds and corporates in pursuit of a net-zero future. 

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, with $37 trillion of investment required through to 2030. 

• Further advancement in proven renewable energy technology is creating new generation opportunities, in battery storage and next generation solar panels. 

• The energy transition is offering exciting investment opportunities for private market investors, by blending technology and sustainability to deliver returns. 

  

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 becomes more efficient and cost-effective.
• How green energy companies are reaching parity with traditional energy-generating sources. 
• How legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act is incentivising investors to support the manufacture of components for clean energy generation. 
• The rise of infrastructure debt in providing green infra managers with capital opportunities. 

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 discuss:

• The genesis of the Luxembourg Green Exchange, the first platform for sustainable securities launched in 2016.
• How the exchange has since grown to exceed one trillion dollars, and how it plans to raise the next trillion.
• The valuable role of technology, including artificial intelligence, in verifying the credentials of sustainable investments.
• The creation of a central data hub that provides an invaluable resource for investors to make informed decisions.

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:

• What they key considerations are when implementing any changes to your operating model.
• How changes in the marketplace have impacted finance and back-office operations.
• The pros and cons of co-sourcing.
• How your choice of an outsourcing partner can impact investor decisions.
• How to address the increased need for better data.

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:

• What's the difference - Gen-AI vs. AI?
• Industry use-cases - how is AI being used within the industry today?
• How will people and AI co-exist effectively?
• What are the risks associated to AI integration?
• AGI singularity – some of this tech is not as new as some people might think

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 Investments – Nuveen
• Jordi Francesch – Head of Asset Management and Chief Risk Officer – Glennmont Partners

During this conversation, they discuss:

• The role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors within private infrastructure investing
• Benefits and challenges of integrating ESG considerations into infrastructure investments.
• The role of private infrastructure as an asset class
• Challenges in the industry

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:

• Neal Prunier, Senior Director of Industry Affairs at the Institutional Limited Partners Association (ILPA)
• Paul Marino, Partner – Sadis & Goldberg LLC
• John Beczak, Partner & Chief Financial Officer – Resource Capital Funds

In this episode we discuss:

• What do these reforms mean for LPs and GPs, particularly the Private Fund Advisors rule?
• Will the changes provide increased transparency?
• Are there any unintended consequences our clients should be wary of?

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)