Inside the Rope with David Clark

Tara Davies, Co-Head of European Infrastructure at KKR, brings two decades of experience in global infrastructure investing. She discusses KKR's approach to defining "true infrastructure" and highlights the risks associated with mispriced assets. Tara emphasizes the growing role of AI in energy transition and digital infrastructure. She covers the shift to evergreen investment vehicles, the importance of downside protection, and the necessity of disciplined debt practices. Her insights reveal strategies for navigating private capital in an evolving market.

David Clark sits down with Daniel Darling, Managing Partner at Focal Ventures, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the investment landscape. From the early-stage venture opportunities emerging in Silicon Valley to the rise of “AI agents” transforming entire industries, Daniel shares how his firm is giving Australian investors access to cutting-edge innovation in the US private markets. David and Daniel discuss: * The evolution of AI from information retrieval to autonomous action. * How AI-native startups are achieving extraordinary growth with small, technical teams. * Why early-stage venture capital presents both unique risks and outsized potential rewards. * What investors should consider when allocating to this transformative sector. AI is changing the economics of innovation, this conversation offers deep insights into the intersection of technology, venture capital, and wealth creation.

Doug Tynan, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at GCQ, shares his passion for investing and the crucial role of psychology in decision-making. He emphasizes checklist-driven discipline as essential for long-term success. Discussions delve into the unique pricing power of super-luxury goods and the transformative impact of AI. Tynan also highlights the importance of owning companies with durable, network-effect advantages while navigating the evolving investment landscape.

In this special episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark welcomes one of the most influential voices in global investing — Howard Marks, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management. Known worldwide for his acclaimed investment memos, often cited by Warren Buffett as essential reading, Howard has shaped how generations of investors think about risk, cycles, and second-level thinking. In this rare and intimate conversation, Howard reflects on his remarkable journey — from being “banished” to high-yield bonds at Citibank in the 1970s, to pioneering distressed debt investing, and ultimately co-founding Oaktree, now managing over $200 billion in alternative assets. He shares timeless lessons on mastering market psychology, developing an edge in a world of efficient markets, and why success in investing comes not from predicting the future but from preparing for it. Gain unparalleled insight into Howard’s approach to risk, his candid views on assets like gold and Bitcoin, and his concept of “Invescon,” a practical framework for positioning portfolios across cycles. In an environment of uncertainty and market noise, Marks provides frameworks to help investors prepare rather than predict. Clarity and wisdom from one of the greatest investors of our time.

In this conversation, Ed Goldstein, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Coller Capital’s Credit Secondaries business, shares insights from his 16 years shaping the secondary investment landscape. He unpacks how secondaries provide liquidity and diversification, making them essential for sophisticated investors. Ed dives into the evolution of continuation funds and how institutional players reshape portfolios using secondaries. He highlights the importance of understanding credit risk and shares lessons learned from navigating multiple market cycles.

David Gonski, the influential Australian business leader and chairman of major institutions, shares his vast insights shaped over a 50-year career. He discusses the intricate dynamics of governance, succession planning, and the delicate balance between wealth and happiness. Gonski emphasizes the importance of philanthropy, both as a societal contribution and a personal journey. He reflects on his early life and the powerful role of education, while also embracing emerging trends like AI for future challenges.

Claudia Kwan, Managing Director at North Star Impact Funds and a leading figure in sustainable capital, discusses the evolution of impact investing. She highlights how it now competes with traditional strategies while delivering social and environmental benefits. Claudia shares her journey in the investment sector, emphasizing the importance of innovative capital allocation. The conversation covers challenges in measuring positive impacts and the significance of local knowledge in Australia’s unique investment landscape. Great insights on balancing economic returns with social responsibility!

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark is joined by Nikki Thomas, one of Australia's most respected global equity investors and the current Portfolio Manager of Magellan’s High Conviction Fund. After a period of significant change at Magellan, Nikki’s return to the firm marks a powerful reconnection with its founding principles—absolute returns, deep research, and a commitment to global quality. With over two decades of experience and foundational roles at both Magellan and Alphinity, Nikki unpacks her high-conviction investment philosophy and explains why the core Magellan approach — compounding capital through structural moats and disciplined valuation — remains unchanged despite market noise. In a candid and wide-ranging conversation, David and Nikki explore: * How she builds a concentrated portfolio of 10–20 global leaders * The role of AI, robotics, and digitalisation in shaping long-term investment themes * The outlook for key holdings including Novo Nordisk, Visa, and Microsoft * How Magellan is evolving from a founder-led boutique to an institutional investment house * Her return to the firm and the strategic pivot under new leadership This episode offers rare insight into one of Australia’s top investment minds at a pivotal moment for Magellan and global capital markets. A must-listen for high-net-worth investors seeking clarity, conviction, and access to the type of global opportunities that sit beyond Australia’s borders.

In this special 200th episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark is joined by Koda Capital’s Chairman Steve Tucker and CEO Paul Heath to reflect on the evolution of wealth management since the podcast’s inception in 2016. From humble beginnings to over 200 candid conversations with some of the world’s best investment minds, this milestone marks a journey of insight, access, and innovation. The episode explores the wealth advice industry's transformation into a true profession, the growing importance of values-based investing, and the behavioural traits that separate great investors from the rest - resilience, process discipline, and the courage to learn from failure. They discuss the standout episodes, the dramatic rise in private market access, the adoption of endowment-style investing, and the shift toward investments offering stronger returns with lower volatility. This episode is not just a retrospective—it’s a guidepost for the next decade of investing, advice, and purpose-driven wealth. Whether you're a client, adviser, or investment enthusiast, this conversation offers rare insight into how great advice has changed, where it's heading, and how Inside the Rope has provided privileged access to the minds shaping the future.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark sits down with legendary investor Marc Lasry, co-founder and CEO of Avenue Capital and former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. Lasry unpacks the explosive growth of private equity in the global sports industry—where financial returns meet passionate fandom. From his journey as a Moroccan-born immigrant to building a $25 billion investment firm, Lasry offers a firsthand look at why sports franchises are no longer just vanity assets for billionaires, but a scalable, investable asset class ripe with opportunity. He shares how Avenue Capital approaches sports as a structured, revenue-generating investment with tangible upside through ticketing, sponsorship, and media rights. We explore his early bets on underappreciated assets like pickleball and women’s sport, and how digitisation, fantasy, and fan engagement are reshaping the commercial landscape. This conversation is essential listening for investors seeking uncorrelated returns, exposure to global entertainment, and insights from one of the foremost minds in distressed debt and opportunistic investing.