In this episode of The Distribution, Brandon Sedloff sits down with Chris Brimsek, Managing Partner of Cab Advisory, for a deep dive into how investment managers can build enduring businesses in an increasingly complex private markets environment. Drawing on experience from advising GPs across asset classes and stages, Chris outlines the major strategic and operational challenges facing fund managers—from firm structure and team composition to incentive design and succession planning. The conversation explores why many firms stall out at the mid-market level and what it truly takes to scale. Chris shares a four-part framework he uses with clients to create “operational alpha,” emphasizing the importance of vision, actively managed teams, properly structured incentives, and founder delegation. Whether discussing fundless sponsors, the future of sports investing, or the commercialization of GP stakes, Chris offers a pragmatic and unvarnished view of where the industry is headed.
They discuss:
- How the “mutual fund phase” of private markets is driving the need for new content and strategies
- The rise of fundless sponsors and how they’re shaping deal flow, team structures, and fundraising models
- Why founders must choose between staying boutique or scaling—and how that choice affects team dynamics and enterprise value
- The case for sports franchises as analogs to deal teams and what private equity can learn from talent management in professional leagues
- Why delegation, succession planning, and intentional incentive design are key to sustainable firm growth
This is a must-listen for investment managers navigating scale, succession, or strategic reinvention in today’s private markets.
Links:
Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbrimsek/
CAB Advisory LLC - https://www.cabadvisoryllc.com/
Brandon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bsedloff/
Juniper Square - https://www.junipersquare.com/
Topics:
(00:00:00) - Intro
(00:02:48) - State of private markets
(00:05:31) - Emerging managers and investment dynamics
(00:15:11) - Operational alpha and team management
(00:23:36) - Building durable investment management businesses
(00:26:07) - The startup mindset in business
(00:27:02) - Incentives and performance
(00:27:52) - Talent development and team composition
(00:28:54) - Recruitment and team dynamics
(00:34:03) - Delegation and leadership challenges
(00:41:15) - Strategic capital and growth
(00:45:35) - The future of private markets
(00:51:56) - Closing thoughts and podcast information
