Capital Allocators – Inside the Institutional Investment Industry [REPLAY] Daniel Adamson – Innovation from Asset Giants at Capital Constellation (EP.136)
May 3, 2021
Daniel Adamson, Senior Managing Director at Wafra and President of Capital Constellation, discusses an innovative joint venture among leading asset owners aimed at investing in emerging private equity managers. He shares insights into the challenges and transformative potential of collaboration in institutional investing. Adamson reflects on his transition from philosophy to finance, the unique governance structures of the Constellation initiative, and the complexities of forming global partnerships across diverse regulatory landscapes. He also touches on personal growth through music and parenting.
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Unlikely Path to Investing
- Daniel Adamson's parents were academics, and he didn't understand the business world.
- His academic background in philosophy trained him to question assumptions, which is valuable in investing.
Philosophy's Value in Investing
- Philosophy, especially analytical philosophy, teaches rigorous logical thinking and challenging assumptions.
- This is crucial for investing, where being certain of one's correctness can lead to losses.
Career Journey
- Adamson joined McKinsey, then Lehman Brothers where he advised hedge funds, gaining experience in partnerships.
- After Lehman, he worked at Bridgewater briefly, ran his own firm, and joined Aries before Wafra.