Alternative Insight

Aztec Group

Alternative Insight brings together the Aztec Group's expertise across the alternative investment sector's hottest topics, from structures and regulation to ESG, technology, fund operations and market insights.

  1. 4 MAR

    Making outsourcing work: The critical success factors

    Forty-three percent of GPs say they plan to outsource more of their fund accounting functions in the next 12 months. This headline finding from our 2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey highlights a growing trend: outsourcing fund administration is no longer just about efficiency, it’s a path to achieving greater resilience, accuracy and strategic focus.In this episode of Alternative Insight, ‘Making outsourcing work: The critical success factors’, Aztec’s Akbar Sheriff is joined by Melanie Cohen, an independent consultant to private equity fund managers, and Richard Day, COO at Schroders Greencoat, to examine how GPs are rethinking their operating models and what separates successful outsourcing partnerships from the rest.During this episode they discuss: The need for flexible operating modelsHow clear governance and shared expectations set partnerships up for successWhy responsiveness and continuity matter more than everHow managers can retain oversight while outsourcing executionThe growing impact of automation and integrated data on reporting quality.

    32 min

  2. 18 FEB

    Great expectations: A new era of LP scrutiny

    72% of GPs say LPs now prioritise clear, timely and accurate reporting above all else. This is a headline finding from our 2026 Private Funds CFO Insights Survey, which we did in partnership with PEI, and highlights just how quickly investor expectations are evolving. In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Maria Von Oldenskiold, Head of Investor Services, is joined by special Gary Haselgrove, Head of Alternative Operations at USS, and Stefanie Langer Principal and COO at Corten Real Estate, to explore how rising LP scrutiny is influencing operational models, performance expectations and the overall investor experience.   During this episode they discuss:   The growing demand for transparency and responsivenessWhich performance benchmarks LPs are focused on todayHow managers are adapting their operating modelsPractical steps to strengthen investor confidence through better reporting.

    26 min

  3. 21 JAN

    Data Centres Unlocked: Opportunities and Challenges

    In our latest episode of the Alternative Insights podcast, Pete Blackburn, Director, Global Client Relationship Lead – Real Assets is joined by special guest Zahl Limbuwala, Partner at DTCP (Digital Transformation Capital Partners) for a conversation that cuts through the noise surrounding data centre investment.   During the episode they discuss:        The accelerating demand for data centres and whether this exponential demand will hit a ceiling and when that might happen.Power availability and grid constraints are becoming the biggest factors shaping location, feasibility and returns in data centre investments.The Middle East, Latin America and parts of Africa are seeing fast growth as digital infrastructure expands globally.Technological change, especially in AI, is creating ongoing step‑change improvements, requiring investors to plan for long‑term adaptability and future‑proofing.

    35 min

  4. 18/11/2025

    Digital Assets: How far off is a single operating model in private markets?

    In the second part of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group's Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to cover the mainstreaming of digital currencies, and how far off a single operating model might be for private markets. During the episode they discuss: The future of digital currencies and tokenised assetsThe need for a single, automated operating modelThe evolving investor experience and regulatory demands

    24 min

  5. 18/11/2025

    Digital Assets: Where is the private markets revolution tokenisation promised?

    In the first of our two-part Alternative Insight series on Digital Assets, Aztec Group’s Simon Ware, Product Associate Director is joined by Dr Ian Hunt and Eran Fabian from Bite Investments to take a deep dive into tokenisation and how the full promise of it hasn’t yet been realised.   During this episode they discuss:   The evolution and impact of tokenisation in private marketsOperational and regulatory challenges Real vs. promised benefits of tokenisation

    21 min

  6. 04/11/2025

    Scale and efficiency for institutional fund managers

    In this episode of Alternative Insight, Aztec Group's Jon Ball, Head of Global Accounts, is joined by Melanie Collett, Head of Investment Implementation and Real Assets at Aviva Investors, and David Kane, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, to explore how institutional managers can achieve operational alignment and excellence across multiple strategies and jurisdictions. The discussion focuses on driving scale and efficiency through technology and evolving operating models.  During this episode they discuss: Why technology alone doesn’t create valueThe need to evolve operating models and servicing partnerships over timeHow to deliver a seamless, consistent experience for investors across asset classes, jurisdictions, and currencies

    42 min

  7. 18/08/2025

    Fundraising in Europe: What U.S. fund managers really need to know – part 2

    In the latest Alternative Insight episode, Aztec Group's Sadrack Belony, Head of Investor Services U.S., and Angel Ramon Martinez Bastida, Head of Regulatory Control, are joined by John Verwey, Partner at Proskauer Rose, to discuss the legal and regulatory landscape U.S. fund managers must navigate to successfully enter European markets During this episode, they discuss: The evolving European regulatory environment and its impact on U.S. managersCompliance considerations when marketing to European investors​​Practical steps to streamline your fund launch and avoid costly missteps

    33 min

  8. 05/08/2025

    Market trends and the rise of NAV financing

    In the latest episode of the Alternative Insight Podcast, Aztec Group’s Andrew Tully and Ben Middleton are joined by Lukas Burkhard, CSO and Head of Investment Solutions at Mercer, to discuss the market trends impacting private markets funds managers today. During this episode - filmed live in our Luxembourg offices - we explore topics including evolving fundraising challenges, retailisation and the continued growth of the secondaries market. We also explore fund financing, in particular NAV-based lending and subscription credit lines.  During this episode, we discuss: Fundraising trends, and how Mercer are adapting. The increasing difficulty in identifying winners. The retailisation of private markets Exit strategies, and the increase in continuation funds and GP-led secondaries How NAV-based lending and subscription credit lines are gaining traction And how technology and automation is streamlining fund financing and risk management.

    29 min
See All (42)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Alternative Insight brings together the Aztec Group's expertise across the alternative investment sector's hottest topics, from structures and regulation to ESG, technology, fund operations and market insights.

Information

  • Creator
    Aztec Group
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Aztec Group
  • Show Website
    Alternative Insight

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