
CONFERENCE DETAILS
Private Equity (& Debt) Investors' Annual Conference
December 5, 2019
London – Le Meridien Piccadilly, London
Purpose
With many pension funds and institutional investors increasing their commitments to, and interest in, private market investments, including private equity and private debt, this conference aims to explore the issues of the day along with key practical strategies for turning the various challenges into investment opportunities. We will also take into account practical issues such as fees, transparency, liquidity and performance.
Programme
Private Equity (& Debt) Investors' Annual Conference
08.30
Registration and coffee
09.00
Welcome and opening remarks

Trevor Cook
Managing Director
Specialist Pension Services
09.10
Session 1: Private markets outlook & Private equity
Managing Director, Head of EMEA
Hamilton Lane
Overview of the Key themes affecting the private markets in 2019 into 2020
Featuring Hamilton Lane’s 2019 Market Overview, this talk will review the key trends and drivers in the private markets this year and how the market is shaping up as we look ahead to 2020. Using a full range of private markets resources, it will aim to help shape your understanding of the current investment environment and will put forth some of the key issues industry investors and participants should consider in the year ahead.
Managing Director, Private Investments
Cambridge Associates
Private Equity: Outlook and Current Areas of Interest for Investors
After a record run what could the future hold for private equity? Concerns over a potential recession as well as political uncertainty impacting many markets pose challenges. However amid this turmoil, innovative investment strategies are coming to the fore. This talk will outline the state of the market and opportunities for investors.
10.25
Coffee/Tea
10.55
Session 2: Direct Lending - Deep Dive
Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets
Madison Capital Funding
Considerations for those entering the US Direct Lending Market
Understanding Direct Lending as an investment class for pension fund investors. Current state of the asset class and future outlook: what micro/macro issues can effect investors? Size and specific characteristics of the US market. Understanding deals in the US market and the range of opportunities as well as the different investment considerations and outcomes. How to access the US market for investors of different sizes and specialisms.
Co-Head of European Direct Lending
Alcentra
Understanding the European Direct Lending Market
What is the role of European Direct Lending in clients’ portfolios? What stage of development has the European market reached? How has pricing, leverage and deal structuring evolved as the market has grown? How much has direct lenders caught on vs. banks across different European jurisdictions? What are typical deal structures – senior vs. unitranche vs. mezz? PE owned borrowers of what size? What is the typical deal size? What are the uses of proceeds? How can ESG analysis be incorporated in European Direct Lending?
12.10
Drinks and lunch
13.30
Session 3: Practical considerations for investors: ESG, Performance & Benchmarking plus investor insights
Senior Manager Sustainability & Climate Change Team
PwC
Private Markets and ESG Integration: Improving returns & ESG criteria
Private companies are often the most innovative when it comes to technology and business practices—and the same is true when it comes to ESG integration. But while private equity investors generally have greater access to company data and board room decision-making, how do they deal with the challenges of assessing and measuring ESG factors across private companies? What assessments can you make of ESG impacts in both private equity and debt?
Director Private Markets, Private Equity
bfinance
Benchmarking, Performance Measurement & Practical Considerations for Private Market Investors
What steps have been taken to increase transparency and improve meaningful data for investors. What action is being taken on fees? What sort of investment terms can help ensure effective monitoring of your investment?
Institutional Investors' Panel
Investors discuss how and why they have invested in private equity or debt and their experiences in these areas.
16.00
Drinks reception and close of conference
Cost
The conference is by invitation only for pension funds and other institutional investors. If you are not already receiving an invitation please contact us. A limited number of Complimentary invitations are usually available to genuine pension fund representatives (executives and trustees) and other approved institutional investors. However, to ensure we have room for as many funds as possible, we have to limit free places to 2 attendees per approved organisation thereafter a reduced rate fee is payable per delegate. Furthermore, SPS always reserves the right of admission (free or paid) and our decision is final.
Venue
Le Meridien Piccadilly Hotel, London
21 Piccadilly
London W1 0BH
Hotel Tel: 08700 400 8400
Hotel Fax: 020 7437 3574
The hotel is located on the north side of Piccadilly, close to Piccadilly Circus, only two minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus underground station.