Episodes

  • Great expectations: A new era of LP scrutiny

    Great expectations: A new era of LP scrutiny
    Feb 18 2026
    72% of GPs say LPs now prioritise clear, timely and accurate reporting above all else.

    This is a headline finding from our 2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey, which we did in partnership with PEI, and highlights just how quickly investor expectations are evolving.

    In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Maria Von Oldenskiold, Head of Investor Services, is joined by special Gary Haselgrove, Head of Alternative Operations at USS, and Stefanie Langer Principal and COO at Corten Real Estate, to explore how rising LP scrutiny is influencing operational models, performance expectations and the overall investor experience. During this episode they discuss:
    • The growing demand for transparency and responsiveness
    • Which performance benchmarks LPs are focused on today
    • How managers are adapting their operating models
    • Practical steps to strengthen investor confidence through better reporting.
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    26 mins
  • Data Centres Unlocked: Opportunities and Challenges

    Data Centres Unlocked: Opportunities and Challenges
    Jan 21 2026
    In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Pete Blackburn, Director, Global Client Relationship Lead – Real Assets is joined by special guest Zahl Limbuwala, Partner at DTCP (Digital Transformation Capital Partners) for a conversation that cuts through the noise surrounding data centre investment.

    During the episode they discuss:
    • The accelerating demand for data centres and whether this exponential demand will hit a ceiling and when that might happen.
    • Power availability and grid constraints are becoming the biggest factors shaping location, feasibility and returns in data centre investments.
    • The Middle East, Latin America and parts of Africa are seeing fast growth as digital infrastructure expands globally.
    • Technological change, especially in AI, is creating ongoing step‑change improvements, requiring investors to plan for long‑term adaptability and future‑proofing.
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    35 mins
  • Digital Assets: How far off is a single operating model in private markets?

    Digital Assets: How far off is a single operating model in private markets?
    Nov 18 2025
    In the second part of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group's Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to cover the mainstreaming of digital currencies, and how far off a single operating model might be for private markets.

    During the episode they discuss:
    • The future of digital currencies and tokenised assets
    • The need for a single, automated operating model
    • The evolving investor experience and regulatory demands
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    24 mins
  • Digital Assets: Where is the private markets revolution tokenisation promised?

    Digital Assets: Where is the private markets revolution tokenisation promised?
    Nov 18 2025
    In the first of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group’s Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to take a deep dive into tokenisation and how the full promise of it hasn’t yet been realised.

    During this episode they discuss:
    • The evolution and impact of tokenisation in private markets
    • Operational and regulatory challenges
    • Real vs. promised benefits of tokenisation
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    21 mins
  • Scale and efficiency for institutional fund managers

    Scale and efficiency for institutional fund managers
    Nov 4 2025
    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
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    42 mins
  • Fundraising in Europe: What U.S. fund managers really need to know – part 2

    Fundraising in Europe: What U.S. fund managers really need to know – part 2
    Aug 18 2025
    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
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    33 mins
  • Market trends and the rise of NAV financing

    Market trends and the rise of NAV financing
    Aug 5 2025
    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.
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    29 mins
  • Fundraising in Europe: What U.S. fund managers really need to know – part 1

    Fundraising in Europe: What U.S. fund managers really need to know – part 1
    Jul 30 2025
    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
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    28 mins