LPs
Harvard appoints new private equity head
Harvard Management Company (HMC) - the investment arm of Harvard University - has appointed Lane MacDonald as its new managing director of private equity.
Australia's IFM changes name, opens Tokyo office
Industry Funds Management has changed its name to IFM Investors. The move comes shortly after the Australia-headquartered group consolidated its private equity and private assets divisions into one team and as it expands its presence in global markets,...
Sovereign assets surpass $5t, Asian groups see fastest growth
Asia-based sovereign wealth funds have seen their assets under management (AUM) increase 19% since 2012, faster than any other region. Sovereign funds globally had an estimated collective AUM of $5.38 trillion as of October this year, up from $4.62 trillion...
Canada's OPTrust opens Sydney office
Canada’s OPSEU Pension Trust (OPTrust) has opened an office in Sydney, to focus on infrastructure and private equity investment across Asia. This is its second base outside Canada.
Axa spins off private equity unit
Axa Private Equity - now renamed Ardian - has completed its spin-out from the Axa Group in deal which values the unit at EUR510 million ($690 million).
CDC hires UTI Capital's Murugappan for Asia funds team
CDC, the UK development finance institution, has hired Alagappan Murugappan as managing director with its Asia funds team. Murugappan was previously CEO with private equity firm UTI Capital.
Japanese government panel suggests pensions shift to alternatives
A Japanese government-appointed advisory panel has suggested that the country's JPY160 trillion ($1.6 trillion) public pension system - which includes the JPY120 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) - reallocate a portion of its holdings...
Australia's ACSI names Future Fund executive as new CEO
The Australian council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) has appointed Gordon Hagart, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk management at Future Fund, as its new CEO. Hagart will take over from Ann Byrne who will retire from the A$100...
Asian LPs deploy more capital in private equity – Preqin
More than 70% of Asian institutional investors have committed to at least one private equity fund so far this year and close to nine in 10 expect to allocate the same or more capital to the asset class in 2014 compared to 2013.
PE managers target diversification through greater transparency
Private equity fund managers are placing greater emphasis on transparency – specifically more frequent and detailed reporting on fund holdings and associated risk factors – as a means by which to differentiate themselves in a challenging fundraising environment....
Infrastructure fundraising: A beast with two heads
At one end of the market large institutional investors are looking to access Asian infrastructure through separate accounts or independently; at the other, plenty of LPs are still looking to make fund commitments
Forbidden fruit?
There used to be a time when a private equity fund buying the portfolio company of another private equity fund was a serious faux pas. Nowadays, GPs have become less shy about buying from peers, who in many cases might be selling good but un-exited assets...
Ontario Teachers keen for more Asia co-investment
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) expects to become a more active co-investor in Asia, partnering with GPs in the region that offer certain geographic or sector expertise as well as operational capabilities.
ADB to become GP
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is to turn GP to enhance its investment capability, with a fund targeting climate change and renewable energy to launch next year.
CalSTRS alters allocation to favor inflation sensitive, illiquid assets
The California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) will recalibrate the long-term allocation targets of its $170 billion investment portfolio, placing greater emphasis on inflation-sensitive and illiquid assets at the expense of equities and fixed...
RMB fund-of-funds: Patience is a virtue
As some global fund-of-funds struggle to raise funds, their renminbi counterparts are struggling to find a purpose – government-backed vehicles excepted. A more mature LP base should bring more demand
Malaysia's Ekuinas to back five local PE managers
Ekuinas, a private equity investor backed by the Malaysian government, will make LP commitments to funds raised by five local PE firms. Four of the five – Tael Parnters, RM Capital Partners, Tuas Capital Partners and CMS Opus Private Equity – will receive...
OTPP loses head of Asia fund investments
Alison Nankivell has left her role as head of Asian fund investments at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) for a job with Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
Indian insurers win approval to invest in domestic PE, debt funds
Indian insurers have received the green light to invest in domestic private equity and debt funds regulated under the alternative investment fund (AIF) program introduced last year. It follows a decision in March to allow life and general insurance companies...
Korea's KIC to boost alternatives exposure to as much as $10b
Korea Investment Corp. (KIC) is planning to triple its allocation to alternative assets - spending as much as $10 billion in an effort to diversify its portfolio.
IFM takes 34% stake in NZ's Scottish Pacific
Australia's Industry Funds Management (IFM) has taken a 34% stake in New Zealand financial services company Scottish Pacific.
China's insurers: Safety first
Chinese insurers have been able to invest in domestic private equity for three years and in overseas private equity for 10 months. Investments are proceeding slowly, but infrastructure is being put in place.
Financial technology: The new normal
Initiatives are in place to make private equity reporting faster, more detailed and completely standardized. Are the guidelines a good fit for the industry in Asia and what are GPs doing to meet them?
CIC returns to profit in 2012 on back of equities boost
China Investment Corp. (CIC) has returned to profit, reporting an annual return of 10.6% on its overseas investments last year thanks to a rally in global equities. The sovereign wealth fund saw a cumulative annualized return of 5.02% for 2012, up from...