In the podcast episode "Inside the Rope" hosted by David Clark with Urs Wietlisbach, a co-founder of Partners Group a leading global private markets firm that since 1996, has invested over USD 200 billion in private equity, private debt, private real estate, and private infrastructure on behalf of their clients globally. The episode delves into the global impact and investment strategies of Partners Group, emphasising the importance of diversification and effective management in the realm of private investments. Urs shares his views on private equity, liquidity, and current market trends, offering a fresh perspective of the current financial landscape. A significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to Urs's family's dedication to philanthropy, particularly their active participation in the Giving Pledge. This aspect highlights the family's commitment to social responsibility and their approach to leveraging their wealth for broader societal benefit. The episode also explores the concept of impact investments, which Urs believes can achieve social good while ensuring strong financial returns. This discussion reflects Urs's holistic approach to business, where financial success and social responsibility are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary objectives.

In this episode, Alon Greenspan, CEO of Mind Ventures, discusses his fund's focus on mental health solutions. Mind Ventures, touted as the world's first mental health-focused for-profit venture fund, invests in evidence-based startups across various mental health aspects, from clinical illness to wellness. Greenspan discusses the importance of combining impact with economic returns, ensuring that investments not only generate profit but also significantly improve mental health outcomes. Greenspan also shares his background, originally from Israel with a history in technology M&A and venture investing, and his move to Australia. He explains his personal connection to mental health issues, including experiences with family members and friends suffering from mental health disorders. This personal connection inspired his focus on mental health investments. Alon highlights the growing issue of mental health, with statistics showing an alarming increase in mental illness and its economic impact. He points out that by 2030, mental illness is expected to be the leading cause of death. The discussion also touches on how COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents. Mind Ventures plans to invest in 15-25 companies, with an emphasis on going deep into portfolio companies. Investments will range from digital interventions to pharmaceutical companies innovating in mental health treatment.

In this instalment of Inside the Rope, David welcomes Jason Coggins, previous lead of investment research at Koda Capital. Jason delves into the nuances of building investment portfolios, the dynamics of public and private market investments, as well as the importance of choosing the right investment managers. He underlines the crucial aspect of tailoring portfolios to meet client expectations, ensuring both technical robustness and effective organisational execution. Jason stresses the critical role of client involvement, the wealth of experience, and the synergy between client objectives and manager commitments to their own strategies. Further, he explores the concept of the opportunistic investment segment, which encompasses strategies with a longer time horizon, advocating for a cautious and methodical approach to capital allocation to mitigate the risk associated with timing in investments. This approach also involves avoiding an over-concentration in sectors like commercial real estate, tapping into global partnerships for enriched investment perspectives, and acknowledging the implications of fund size on performance. The conversation also covers the pivotal role of a manager's historical performance and the strategic importance of risk diversification within a portfolio as a means to minimise potential losses and sustain returns.

Matt Rennie, joint Managing Director of Rennie Advisory, discusses the urgency and complexity of achieving net-zero emissions. Topics include rising dominance of electric vehicles, potential pitfalls in renewable investments, innovative technologies in energy transition, and critical role of soil health in carbon sequestration.

Jonah Oliver, a psychologist and performance coach, discusses the importance of embracing discomfort in decision-making and understanding personal values. He stresses the distinction between outcomes and quality of decisions, highlighting the benefits of aligning choices with core values for long-term success.

In this enlightening episode, guest Michael discusses the current state and future predictions for the Australian real estate and investment markets, highlighting the challenges posed by projected population growth and supply chain issues. He details how an influx of one and a half million people is affecting housing supply, stimulating discussions among politicians and media alike. Michael points out the increasing demand in industrial sectors due to the rise of e-commerce and logistics, with a parallel decline in traditional retail spaces, a trend exacerbated by the pandemic. He also touches on the unstable conditions of the office and retail property markets, recommending prudence due to the observed downturns, especially in the U.S. Michael emphasises the importance of focusing on sectors with robust fundamentals, like residential and logistics, and the need for adaptability in a fluctuating market landscape. He talks about the importance of aligning investment strategies with the ever-changing market needs, such as sustainability and decarbonisation, especially during global upheavals. The conversation rounds off with insights on the necessity of aligning managerial interests and having 'skin in the game', offering listeners an understanding of the ongoing dynamics in Australian investment and real estate sectors.

In this episode, David chats with Justin from Glow Capital Partners about the ins and outs of finance, private equity, and investment strategies. They navigate Justin's career path, touching on the value of patience in investment decisions. The two also dive into the complexities of business valuation and address some common perceptions about private equity investors. Going beyond the stereotype of simply enhancing businesses for a quick profit, Justin explains Glow's dedication to nurturing sustainable, long-term businesses and highlights the role of positive company culture. They wrap up with a brief discussion on Glow's new investment fund and its potential appeal to investors. Justin Ryan is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Glow Capital Partners, a private equity firm with a focus on investing in innovative and growing companies. Justin began his journey in private equity investment in 1997 with Catalyst Investment Managers and later spent significant time at Quadrant Private Equity. In 2003, he took on a leadership role at the Australian Venture Capital Association, now rebranded as the Australian Investment Council. Throughout his career, Justin has been involved in 22 private equity investments, with the majority already exited. Several of these investments have garnered recognition from the Australian Investment Council. Beyond his investment work, Justin has operational experience from his time as CEO and Managing Director of Alesco Corporation, a company with a diverse portfolio of industrial brands, which was acquired by Dulux Corporation in 2011.

In this episode, David Clark engages in a detailed discussion with Michael Lukin from Roc Partners about the intricate realm of private equity. Looking forward, Michael provides insights into the anticipated investment surge in 2024 due to overcommitment in private equity investments. Michael delves into the complex trading process, emphasising the pivotal role of the brokerage market, proactive outreach, and the special bonds formed directly with private equity firms. A significant point to note is Roc Partners' unique advantage in their information, allowing them to capitalise on opportunities that aren't available in public markets. Michael further underscores the firm's commitment to aligning their goals with those of their clients, by investing in the funds alongside clients. The conversation between David and Michael also touches on Roc Partners' distinct fund structure, which includes a four-year liquidity option, designed to adapt to the evolving demands of investors.

In the latest episode of Inside the Rope, David Clark sits down with Mark Barker, Head of International at GQG Partners, a renowned asset management firm. Mark retraces his journey, originating from his early days in London's hedge funds back in 1985, and eventually leading to the birth of GQG in 2016. Mark also covers GQG's investment strategy, which is anchored in delivering modest performance above the benchmark. Since inception in June 2017, the fund has been able to do this, with returns of 14.10% p.a. net of fees to 31 July 2023, compared to the MSCI All Country World Index's 10.69% p.a. Mark also outlines how GQG develops a comprehensive global perspective, emphasizing the nature of emerging and developed markets, yet also noting the challenges they pose. The conversation also shifts to GQG's current market analysis, especially the post-pandemic shift from emphasising production to valuing profitability. Additionally, Mark and David discuss the enduring demand for oil, even as the world vigorously marches towards green energy solutions. Reflecting on GQG's decision to divest from tech in 2021, Mark offers a candid insight into the company's dedication to growth and adaptability. Amidst looming uncertainties around the U.S. economy, Mark still exhibits a level of optimism, citing recent economic trends. In concluding the episode, Mark suggests a bright future for active management but emphasises the importance of managing return expectations for clients.

In this episode of Inside the Rope, David is joined by Cooper Stainbrook of Ibex Investors to delve into Cooper’s recent research on commercial real estate and the potential economic risks. The episode begins by addressing the global trend towards remote work, discussing its potential to drive corporations to scale back their office footprints, possibly affecting office property values. David and Cooper also shed light on the precarious terrain for real estate investors, emphasising sharp declines in property transaction volumes and uncertain asset values. They also discuss the challenges confronting regional banks in the US. These banks have significantly increased their exposure to commercial real estate mortgages, potentially at the least opportune moment. If these banks suffer losses, Cooper argues that we could be looking at broader economic ramifications, including a reduction in credit availability. Cooper joined Ibex Investors in 2017 to assist with the research and portfolio management of Ibex strategies. Prior to joining Ibex, Cooper was a member of a four-person investment team managing over $4 billion at Edgehill Endowment Partners. Cooper graduated with a B.A. in Economics from Yale University in 2015.