Investor relations
Japanese digital alternatives platform gets pre-Series A
Luca, a Japan-based fundraising platform that aims to give local high net worth investors access to alternatives, has received seed-stage funding from VC investors.
Jungle re-hires fundraiser Menka Sajnani as a partner
Menka Sajnani has re-joined Jungle Ventures as a partner responsible for investor relations, three years after departing the Southeast Asia and India-focused GP to head up Asia IR at B Capital Group.
Partners Group hires Greater China fundraisers
Partners Group has added fundraising bandwidth in Greater China, recruiting Jin Wang as a managing director responsible for institutional coverage and making two private wealth hires.
BlackRock hires Campbell Lutyens' Asia head
BlackRock has recruited George Maltezos, formerly head of Asia Pacific at placement agent Campbell Lutyens, to lead alternatives distribution in the region.
Partners Group, Pantheon bolster Japan coverage
Partners Group and Pantheon have both strengthened their teams in Japan, with the former appointing Teppei Kawai as country head and the latter promoting Akitoshi Yamada to partner.
Japanese LPs: Expectation vs reality
Japan’s LP community is an alluring target for global private equity managers, even as currency depreciation and a cultural aversion to risk remain obstacles in the short and long term
Wellington Management hires Asia fundraiser
Wellington Management has recruited Xiaying Zhang, formerly head of Hamilton Lane’s Singapore office, to lead fundraising efforts for its private investment strategies in Asia Pacific.
Private wealth: Talent war
A shortage of fundraisers familiar with the high-net-worth segment is being keenly felt in Asia as global GPs look to raise more capital through private bank channels
Rede opens Hong Kong office, appoints Asia head
Placement agent and fundraising advisor Rede Partners has opened an office in Hong Kong and appointed Charles Wan, formerly of Atlantic Pacific Capital, as Asia head.
China's Qiming recruits partner from LACERA
David Chu, formerly of Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA), has become a partner at China-based Qiming Venture Partners with responsibility for fundraising and investor relations.
Virtual reporting: Lost in translation
GP-LP reporting in the age of remote portfolio assessments and stilted video catchups leaves much to be desired. Both sides are trying to bridge the divide, but no best-practice approach has emerged
Asia fundraising: Fortune favors the bold?
LPs cannot survive indefinitely on re-ups and new commitments to managers they know well. Questions are being asked internally as to what it would take to back an Asian GP sight unseen
Apollo hires Evercore Asia head for IR role
Ian Bell, formerly head of the Asia Pacific private funds group at placement agent Evercore, has joined Apollo Global Management to lead fundraising and investor relations in the region.
Fundraising talent: New calls of duty
The trend toward more stringent due diligence in recent years has maximized fundraising complexity at a time when the professionals involved must adapt to unfamiliar virtual forums
COVID-19 changing conduct as much as tech usage
Experiences vary across geographies as Asian GPs adapt to pandemic working conditions. Technology use is up, but the most lasting changes may be more cultural in nature.
Investor relations: Talk isn't cheap
The enforced adoption of virtual communications points to longer-term changes in investor relations, from annual general meetings to informal catch-ups. GPs must find ways to stand out
Virtual AGMs & IR: Close encounters
The technology is available to facilitate informal discussions at virtual AGMs, but do these solutions present an acceptable substitute for physical interaction, and do GPs and LPs want to use them?
Virtual AGMs & IR: Up in the air
Private equity firms are still finding their feet with annual meetings that no longer take place on the ground. Like it or not, virtual engagement is set to become a larger part of investor relations from now on
KKR recruits fundraiser for Australia, New Zealand
KKR has hired Nicholas Hyde from IFM Investors as a managing director in its client partner group, with responsibility for fundraising and client relationships in Australia and New Zealand.
HarbourVest boosts Australia, New Zealand IR coverage
HarbourVest Partners has appointed Warwick Mancini as a principal with responsibility for investor relations in Australia and New Zealand.
Whale watching: Mid-cap GPs engage large-cap LPs
Recent appointments by two Asian GPs - Everstone Group and Legend Capital - offer insights into how smaller managers are trying to forge meaningful relationships with large institutional investors
Everstone reorganizes fundraising teams
India and Southeast Asia-focused private equity firm Everstone Group has reorganized its global fundraising operation following the departure of managing director Atul Phull.
Valuation standards: Counting their blessings
Asian GPs’ portfolio valuation practices remain largely opaque, despite the value of standard frameworks. LP demand will be key to moving the industry in a more transparent direction
Private equity AGMs: In the spotlight
The quality of a private equity firm’s AGM says a lot about the quality of the firm itself. LPs make their assessments based on informal conversations and observations as much as what happens on stage