The complexities of introducing private equity to HNWs

Episode #71: The Realities of Private Wealth in Private Markets

Guest: Cyril Demaria-Bengochea, Julius Bär

What happens when private equity pivots from institutional capital to private wealth? In this episode, Ross Butler speaks with Cyril Demaria-Bengochea, Head of Private Market Strategy at Julius Bär & one of the most respected thinkers in private markets. Cyril blends academic rigour with industry expertise, drawing on his work with Invest Europe, ILPA, & the European Commission.

Together, they explore the complex realities of opening private markets to individual investors, & why true democratisation may still be a long way off.

🏢 From Institutions to Individuals As institutional funding slows, fund managers are turning to private wealth, but it's not a simple swap. Cyril unpacks why $5M+ investors still struggle to access private equity meaningfully, & how portfolio construction must adapt to this fragmented investor base.

📊 Evergreen Funds & the Democratisation Myth Despite the buzz, evergreen vehicles still represent just 1–2% of AUM. Cyril explains why they are a tool, not a solution, & why true democratisation needs a more nuanced strategy.

⏳ Private Markets Are Three-Dimensional Long holding periods, illiquidity, & delayed returns create a "time complexity" most investors (& advisers) underestimate. Cyril emphasises that private markets require patience, planning, & portfolio redesign.

🔧 Fund Structures: Not One-Size-Fits-All Closed-end funds remain dominant, but evergreen & semi-liquid structures are gaining traction. Cyril foresees a future where fund structures are matched to investor objectives, not trends.

📉 Fundraising, Dealmaking & Dry Powder While fundraising has slowed, especially in VC, buyout strategies remain active, with managers deploying capital via smaller, lower-leverage deals focused on operational value. Dry powder is declining—suggesting a more disciplined cycle ahead.

💬 Rethinking Communication in Private Markets Cyril argues that better education & transparency are essential if private wealth is to participate meaningfully. The industry must do more to share value & demystify risk.

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📞 Contact: Fund Shack is a private equity podcast & digital media channel for alternative investment professionals, produced by Linear B Group.

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Chapters00:00 Intro 00:06 At Julius Baer, Cyril’s background & credentials00:50 The rise of private wealth & democratisation01:53 Why private wealth is hard to access03:09 How much capital is actually coming from private clients05:03 Capital limitations & structuring challenges06:15 Is the demand real or manufactured08:27 The “third dimension” of private markets: time10:09 Why traditional tools don't fit private markets11:10 Fund structures: evergreen vs closed-end13:16 Complementarity of structures & the evolving toolbox14:03 What allocation size makes private markets worthwhile16:10 Going beyond 15–20% in private portfolios17:20 Why democratisation is complex and multi-dimensional18:00 Dispersion of returns & the role of fund structures20:54 Shakespeare & the early roots of private markets21:01 Market conditions as of Q1 202524:43 The effect of tighter leverage & lower risk27:01 How much of PE returns are driven by leverage29:01 Advice for young professionals entering private markets30:54 Why staying close to the industry matters32:35 The need for broader skillsets in private equity34:46 Why the human factor still dominates deals35:06 Can private markets be made ‘cool’36:43 How sharing value could shift perceptions39:11 Communication & transparency