Capital Decanted

Permanent Capital or GP Stakes structures aim to take further advantage of long-dated patient capital in private markets. Furthermore, they allow the LP to participate in additional cash flow streams with the GP that are elusive in a traditional fund structure. In other words, it allows LPs to get exposure to a variety of alternative asset managers as minority owners in the GPs themselves. But does this provide a purer incentive alignment of investors and GPs or simply split allegiance and attention between multiple masters?  In this episode, with the help of the largest GP Stakes participant, Blue Owl, and a large LP in their fund, USAA, we examine the evolution of the approach, its idiosyncratic and multi-faceted return stream, and try to honestly assess some of the myths that haunt the space. Guests: Sean Ward, Senior Managing Director, GP Strategic Capital Platform, Blue Owl Shawn Ury, CAIA, Executive Director and Head of Alts, USAA ⁠Episode Sources

It’s another coming of age story on Capital Decanted. In this case, since Dayton Carr conceived the space in 1984, we’ve seen private capital secondaries morph from a niche set of transactions of distressed limited partner selling to a more than $600B asset management and liquidity tool utilized by the most sophisticated LPs and GPs in the world and now devoid of the original stigma that plagued these activities. We’ll examine that winding and explosive history of their beginning and then tackle the state and progression of today’s market with partners from the two largest secondaries funds on record.   Introduction (0:47) Halftime (47:15) Guests (52:34) Guests: Vern Perry: Global Head of Blackstone Strategic Partners Taylor Robinson: Partner, Lexington Partners Episode Sources

Blockchain, Bitcoin and Bubbles, oh my. No technology in history has caused more rancor and division for investors than crypto and blockchain. But does history teach us that passion might portend something special? With the help of the most authoritative crypto investor on the planet, A16z’s Chris Dixon, we explore the history of computing platform evolution and the conditions to identify the next one while avoiding frothy FOMO. We discuss how to construct a responsible framework for investing in emerging technologies versus a casino mindset. We review the inherent advantages of blockchain networks for content creators and founders and conclude with some of the more promising use cases on the horizon.  Introduction (0:48) Halftime (1:01:41) Guests (1:07:03) Guest: Chris Dixon, Partner at A16z Episode Sources

One of the key doctrines of modern investment management is diversification, and yet it is remarkably absent from team construction across all spectrums of the investment profession.  Countless studies have shown that there is a diversity premium for organizational performance, capital allocation and indeed, investment outcomes and yet we seem trapped in mid teen representation of women.  More concerningly, progress seems to have stagnated in recent years.  In this episode we lament the lack of impact but more importantly delicately attempt to unearth the root causes of this flattening of the curve, namely the pipeline, COVID, and the DEI movement.  Join us for this earnest and honest assessment of what works, what doesn’t, and how a more mature discourse is needed on this generationally important topic. Introduction (0:48) Halftime (43:58) Guests (47:23) Guests: Nicole Musicco, Former Chief Investment Officer of CalPERS and angel investor Ron O’Hanley, Chairman and CEO, State Street  Episode Sources

Private Credit has risen from obscurity within the private equity financing world to a greater than $2T asset class in just over a decade.  In this episode, we examine the conditions (M&A, debankification, regulation, staying private longer) that accelerated post the GFC that created a torrent of issuance and demand for private credit across direct lending, asset backed credit, structured credit, and innovative special situations.  And more importantly, we debate whether we’ve come a little too far, too fast, and if some rationalization and refining is needed before this exciting space continues its upward trajectory. Introduction (0:47) Halftime (39:40) Guests (45:51) Guests: Katie Koch, CEO, TCW Kipp DeVeer, Partner and Head of Credit, Ares Management Episode Sources

Permanent Capital or GP Stakes structures aim to take further advantage of long-dated patient capital in private markets. Furthermore, they allow the LP to participate in additional cash flow streams with the GP that are elusive in a traditional fund structure. In other words, it allows LPs to get exposure to a variety of alternative asset managers as minority owners in the GPs themselves. But does this provide a purer incentive alignment of investors and GPs or simply split allegiance and attention between multiple masters?  In this episode, with the help of the largest GP Stakes participant, Blue Owl, and a large LP in their fund, USAA, we examine the evolution of the approach, its idiosyncratic and multi-faceted return stream, and try to honestly assess some of the myths that haunt the space. Introduction (0:47) Halftime (41:46) Guests (47:05) Guests: Sean Ward, Senior Managing Director, GP Strategic Capital Platform, Blue Owl Shawn Ury, CAIA, Executive Director and Head of Alts, USAA Episode Sources

Ben Samild, Chief Investment Officer at Future Fund, and Jayne Bok, Head of Investments, Asia at Willis Towers Watson, dive into the innovative Total Portfolio Approach (TPA). They discuss the shift from traditional asset allocation to a more dynamic and integrated strategy, showcasing collaboration among global asset owners. Their conversations cover the risks and benefits of TPA, digital asset strategies, and the need for a cultural shift in investment management. They even share amusing personal tales about how social media shaped their relationships!

The Outsourced Chief Investment Officer—once a last resort option for sub-scale capital pools looking to avoid the hassle and cost of building their own investment office to today, a multi-trillion dollar subset of the asset management profession and arguably the hottest structural trend in the industry. Take a listen while we examine: What insights and opportunities led to the creation of this segment of organizations and why has that exploded in the ensuing four decades?  What defines a successful OCIO? And why has that trajectory and evolution seemingly reached an inflection point—hyperdrive really-- in the last five years that has redefined the space and encouraged newer, larger entrants? Introduction (0:48) Halftime (37:44) Guests (41:37) Guests: Mark Anson, CAIA, CFA;  CEO, President and CIO, Commonfund Sarah Samuels, CAIA, CFA: Partner, NEPC Episode Sources

Explore the impact of geopolitics on investments, historical events like Gorbachev's speech and the fall of the Berlin Wall, challenges of integrating geopolitics into investment strategies, and the significance of understanding local contexts and geopolitical risks in emerging markets.

In order for the capital markets system to continually grow in its transparency, efficiency and fairness, it needs a combination of free market ingenuity and regulatory protection. With the meteoric rise and importance of alternative investments in the past decade, did the SEC strike that balance correctly with the new Private Advisors Rule? Directionally, probably yes but certainly the details are far from perfect and unintended consequences are inevitable. With an aim to provide a practical guide for the layman practitioner, we explore the history of light touch regulation of private funds, highlight the important elements and implications of the rule, and explain why CAIA joined ILPA and many asset owners in submitting an Amicus Brief to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals defending the spirit of the rule. Introduction (0:47) Halftime (52:41) Guests (58:35) Guests: Jen Choi, CEO, ILPA Jon Grabel, CIO, Lacera ⁠Episode Sources