Private Debt
Investor
Investor
Women in Private Debt Forum London 2019
5 - 6 November 2019,
The Hilton Tower Bridge - London
Creating Growth Through Diversity
With a growing body of research showing that more diverse teams and inclusive workplaces directly correlates with stronger business outcomes, the issue of diversity in private debt continues to move up the agenda.
The inaugural Women in Private Debt Forum will bring together over 500 delegates for open discussion on the latest issues facing the industry, as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas, initiate deals and forge new relationships.
This year’s event will be co-located with the Women in Infrastructure Forum and the Women in Private Equity Forum, in addition to Women in Real Estate Forum, all registered attendees will have access to all events allowing you to build your network across alternative asset classes.
Covering Women in Private Equity, Infrastructure & Real Estate
One Summit: Four Forums
Now in its 6th year
Now in its 3rd year
New for 2019
Features in 2019
Dictate the narrative
Interactive panel discussions, keynote interviews, networking roundtables, think tanks and an oxford style debate allow you to put forward your thoughts and shape this important discussion.
Build your network
Meet 500+ influential investors, fund managers and advisors from across the community and make the right connections to grow your business.
Gain insights
Identify key private debt opportunities and discover strategies for 2019 and beyond.
Attendees from the previous summit in 2018
Testimonials
Laura Yang
Analyst, CPPIB
The conference is very well organized, covering topics on both diversity awareness and key industry issues such as investing in emerging markets.
Anke Heinze
Director Investments & Financing, AviAlliance GmbH, Germany
It is an excellent forum for women of all levels of seniority to get to know each other, exchange views and hopefully to form professional relationships that ca…
Kirsty Packer
Senior Analyst, I Squared Capital
It was inspiring to meet so many strong women who are excelling in this industry and raising awareness of the benefits of gender diversification.
Anke Heinze
Director Investments & Financing, AviAlliance GmbH, Germany
It is an excellent forum for women of all levels of seniority to get to know each other, exchange views and hopefully to form professional relationships that carry over into our working lives going forward.
View the 2019 agenda
For more information on the agenda, please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 20 7566 5444.
Download your copy of the 2019 agenda here.
View agenda page
Agenda
Day 1 - Tuesday 5th
Plenary
08:00 - 08:45
Registration and coffee
08:45 - 08:50
PEI Welcome
08:50 - 09:05
Chairperson's opening remarks
Laurie Mahon
Laurie Mahon
Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC World Markets
Read bio
09:05 - 09:30
Keynote Speech: The Economic Case for Diversity
09:30 - 10:15
Head of Private Markets: The themes that unify our asset classes
Andrew Blincoe,
Kirsten Bode
Panel Session
- What is driving the growth in private markets? Are we in a bubble?
- Putting money to work in an increasingly competitive environment
- To what extent do investors differentiate between asset classes? Where are their similarities?
- How can working together address talent deficits across private markets?
- What practical advice do industry leaders have for young people in the industry today?
10:15 - 10:55
How are investor pressures driving change within the funds they invest in?
Laurie Mahon,
David Jeffrey,
Paul Ward,
Matina Papathanasiou
Panel Session
- To what extent are investors challenging fund managers on diversity across investments?
- How senior leaders across private markets are promoting social mobility?
- Highlighting case studies where lack of diversity has impacted an investment decision
- Comparing approaches to diversity across private markets, are there any differences?
- How does diversity compare with other factors in impacting where investors put their money?
Moderated by: Laurie Mahon, Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC Capital Markets
10:55 - 11:35
Coffee & networking
Women in Private Debt Forum 2019
11:35 - 11:40
Private debt chairperson's opening remarks
11:40 - 12:20
State of Play: How Europe's lending landscape is shifting
Aurelie Hariton-Fardad,
Claire Harwood,
Vivian Ngan
Panel Session
- Putting capital to work in a booming credit environment
- How well prepared are private debt funds for the next economic crisis?
- What industries are seeing the most private debt activity? Which sectors are lenders tending to avoid?
12:20 - 13:00
How technological innovation is re-shaping credit markets
Gabriella Kindert,
Dominick Peasley
Presentation
- Where is technology having the biggest impact on private debt markets?
- What are the dangers related to implementing new technologies?
- Examples of current uses of tech in debt markets
13:00 - 14:00
Networking lunch
Women in Private Debt Forum 2019
14:00 - 14:45
Structuring fund investments: The increasing role of portfolio management in private debt
Kirsten Bode,
Carina Spitzkopf,
Nicole Waibel
Panel Session
- The role of asset managers in a market where deal terms are loosening
- What pushback are lenders giving on terms?
- How funds are preparing themselves for a less benign economic environment
14:45 - 15:15
Private debt case studies
Adriana Oller
Presentations
Comparing and contrasting deals in 3 different European markets
- How do covenants compare across different countries?
- Where do funds see increased opportunities in private debt?
15:15 - 16:00
Beyond a Box-Ticking Exercise: ESG and Private Debt
Mirja Lehmler-Brown,
Kristina Matthews,
Sabrina Fox
Panel Session
- Outlining some of the challenges associated with ESG and private debt
- To what extend are credit funds learning from their private equity funds?
- Case studies of successful ESG implementation in a credit portfolio
16:00 - 16:30
Coffee & networking
Women in Private Debt Forum 2019
16:30 - 17:10
What are investors views of the European private debt market today
Ashley Knight,
Dalit Nuttall
17:10 - 17:45
Looking across the pond: How does European direct lending compare to the more established U.S. market?
Daniela Jönsson
Panel Session
- Comparing EBITDA adjustments, fees, covenants and protection in the U.S. vs. Europe
- To what extent is Europe competing with the U.S.?
- Will the European market grow closer in size in the next decade?
17:45 - 19:00
Women in Alternatives Cocktail Reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Wednesday 6th
08:00 - 09:00
Invitation only think-tanks
Matina Papathanasiou,
Sunaina Sinha
These closed-door sessions will allow women to speak freely about the issues impacting their office and asset class. It is a closed door, open conversation where attendees can benchmark ideas and share best practices to gain solutions for common concerns.
- Infrastructure: Matina Papathanasiou, Deputy Head of Global Infrastructure, QIC
- Private equity: Sunaina Sinha, Managing Partner, Cebile Capital
- Private Debt:
- Real Estate:
08:30 - 09:10
Registration & coffee
Plenary
09:10 - 09:50
Emerging Markets: Where are the most attractive opportunities in emerging markets?
Taru Oksman,
Danielle Baron,
Lucy Heintz,
Maria Pejter
Panel Session
- Which macro trends are affecting investment in emerging markets today?
- Key reasons to invest in Asian, LatAm & African alternative assets
- What is the appetite for different investment strategies across emerging markets?
- Comparing risk in EM to more developed markets
Moderated by: Taru Oksman, Managing Partner, Riverhouse Partners
09:50 - 10:30
Highlights of the PEI LP Insight findings
Nicole Douglas
Presentation
The PEI Investor Research & Analytics team surveyed LPs to capture investor sentiment, relationships with GPs, and performance predictions. Investors range from established infrastructure players with diverse fund portfolios, to those planning to make their first alternatives commitments in 2019.
Presented by: Nicole Douglas, Head of Investor Research, PEI Media Group
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee & networking
Plenary
11:00 - 11:40
View from the deal team: What skills are required to make a successful investment partner?
Cecile Levi,
Claire Madden
Panel Session
- Why do deal teams remain so male, pale and stale even when compared to other areas of finance?
- Outlining the advantages of a diverse deal team
- What advice do deal team partners have for young people aiming for a spot on the deal team?
11:40 - 12:20
How, why and when to move between alternative asset classes
Gail McManus,
Merrick McKay,
Yodia Lo
Panel Session
- Building a cross-asset class network
- Are there any significant differences in the skills required to be successful?
- What skills are transferrable between asset classes?
- Case studies from practitioners who have made the move
Moderated by: Gail McManus, Founder and Managing Director, PER
12:20 - 13:00
Meet a Mentor Session
Roundtables
This unique session will split the room up into tables with a senior representative on each table offering practical career advice to the table. This will provide a unique opportunity to build your network and tables will be led by people with different areas of expertise.
13:00 - 14:30
Themed networking working lunch
14:30 - 14:40
Chairperson's closing remarks
Featured speakers
View the 2019 speakers
For more information on speaking, please contact Charles Gould at charles.g@peimedia.com or call +44 (0) 20 7566 5444.
Download your copy of the 2019 agenda here.
Danielle Baron
Global Head of Power & Utilities, Crédit Agricole CIB
Danielle began her career at U.S Ex-Im Bank in Washington D.C. She later joined ANZ where she held several positions in Structured Finance and Infrastructure & Utilities Coverage in Hanoi, Melbourne and London. She later joined HSBC and finally Credi… Read full bio
Kirsten Bode
Co-Head of Pan-European Private Debt, Muzinich & Co
Prior to joining Muzinich, Kirsten worked for six years as a Managing Director in the principal debt investing team at Macquarie, responsible for sourcing and executing transactions ranging from leveraged senior, unitranche and mezzanine debt to equi… Read full bio
Nicole Douglas
Head of Investor Research, PEI Media
Nicole Douglas is the Head of Investor Research for PEI’s Research & Analytics department. Based in London but working across the company’s offices and products, she oversees researched content, surveys, and projects on investors globally. She is als… Read full bio
Sabrina Fox
Executive Advisor, European Leveraged Finance Alliance
Sabrina is a recognised expert in the European leveraged finance market focused on increasing transparency, improving disclosure standards, and educating market participants on the importance of lender protections in documentation. Most recently, Sab… Read full bio
Aurelie Hariton-Fardad
Director, MetLife Investments
Aurélie Hariton-Fardad has been a Director in MetLife’s Private Placement team since 2015. She is in charge of the team’s holdings in the real estate and business services sectors in the UK and Europe. Aurélie believes her previous five years as a Di… Read full bio
Claire Harwood
Investment Director, Permira Debt Managers
Claire joined Permira Debt Managers in September 2017. She focuses on originating, leading and executing new investment opportunities across all sectors. Previously, Claire worked at HIG WhiteHorse for four years originating and executing deals. She… Read full bio
Lucy Heintz
Partner - Energy, Actis
Lucy is head of Africa for the Energy team, a role she has held since March 2017. She has overall responsibility for the Actis Energy team’s activities in Africa and is Investment Manager of Lekela and Aela, two of Actis’ renewable energy platforms i… Read full bio
David Jeffrey
Partner, StepStone Group
Mr. Jeffrey leads StepStone’s activities in Europe and is a member of the private equity team, focusing on investments in Europe and the Middle East and co-investments. He is also involved in the Firm’s ESG and diversity initiatives, as well as vario… Read full bio
Daniela Jönsson
Principal - Relationship Manager, Ares Management
Daniela is a Principal in the Ares European Relationship Management Group and is responsible for the marketing and client relations effort across all strategies of the firm (credit, private equity, real estate) to institutional investors in Germany,… Read full bio
Ashley Knight
Investment Associate, Mercer Alternatives
Ashley Knight is a member of the Mercer Alternatives investment team in London where she focuses on sourcing, conducting due diligence on and investing across Private Equity and Private Debt investments. Ashley is a member of Mercer’s Sustainable Opp… Read full bio
Mirja Lehmler-Brown
Partner and Managing Director, Hayfin Capital Management
Ms. Lehmler-Brown is a Managing Director and co-head of the Private Equity Funds investment team at Hayfin Capital Management. Ms. Lehmler-Brown joined from Standard Life Aberdeen where, since 2006, she was a senior investment portfolio manager and i… Read full bio
Cecile Levi
Co-Head of Private Debt, Tikehau Capital
Cécile Mayer-Lévi joined Tikehau Capital in 2013 and heads the Private Debt platform of the asset management firm. She has extensive knowledge in direct lending transactions, and has worked closely with major private equity houses, investment funds a… Read full bio
Yodia Lo
Alternatives, Church of England
Yodia Lo focuses on Hedge Funds, Alternative Credit and Co-investments at Church Commissioners, the £8b endowment arm of the Church of England. In this role she has sourced investments including Emerging Market Distressed Debt, Short Term Quant and d… Read full bio
Laurie Mahon
Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC World Markets
Laurie Mahon serves as Vice-Chair of CIBC’s U.S. Investment Banking business, a role she recently assumed after having led the Global Infrastructure and Power team since August 2013. She has spent her entire professional life in the infrastructure sp… Read full bio
Claire Madden
Managing Partner, Connection Capital
Claire is Managing Partner of Connection Capital, a private client investment business specialising in alternative investments. Claire’s career began as a private equity investor at 3i having graduated in Banking & International Finance from Loughbor… Read full bio
Kristina Matthews
Managing Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors
Kristina Matthews is a Managing Director at Brightwood Capital Advisors where she primarily focuses on business development and fundraising strategy. Her engagement commenced in February 2014 in a Consulting role which led to Ms. Matthews joining Bri… Read full bio
Merrick McKay
Head of Europe - Private Equity, Aberdeen Standard Investments
Merrick joined SL Capital, now part of Aberdeen Standard Investments (“ASI”), in 2014 and is based in the Edinburgh and London offices. ASI’s European Private Equity business, with over €8bn AuM, encompasses primary and secondary fund investments and… Read full bio
Gail McManus
Founder and Managing Director, PER
Gail McManus is the Founder and Managing Director of PER, setting up the business in the late 1990s after a career in private equity at 3i. Gail is a passionate member of the private equity and alterative assets community and is actively involved in… Read full bio
Vivian Ngan
Vice-President, EQT
Vivian Ngan joined EQT Partners in April 2017 and is a member of the EQT Credit investment team in London, focusing on originating, conducting due diligence on and executing investment opportunities across all sectors. Prior to joining EQT Partners,… Read full bio
Dalit Nuttall
Principal, West Valley Capital
Following an institutional career with Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Wachovia, Dalit founded WestValley Capital in 2007 to connect preferred solution providers with European pension funds, insurance companies and asset managers in ways that addre… Read full bio
Taru Oksman
Managing Partner, Riverhouse Partners
As Managing Partner, Taru oversees Riverhouse Partners and Riverhouse Advisory. She works across all practice areas on key strategic hires. At Riverhouse Partners, her remit encompasses country head roles across growth markets as well C-suite roles i… Read full bio
Adriana Oller
Founder & Partner, Resilience Partners
Adriana Oller started her career as a principal investor at 3i Spain, and continued at Axis, providing direct lending solutions to SME's focused on established and profitable Spanish companies, which could not find suitable financing solutions to the… Read full bio
Matina Papathanasiou
Deputy Head of Global Infrastructure, QIC
Matina is currently the deputy head of QIC Global Infrastructure, a business she co-founded in early 2006. QIC Global Infrastructure has directly invested over $10billion in global infrastructure covering toll roads, airports, ports, water and energy… Read full bio
Dominick Peasley
Head of Distribution, within Capital Markets, Funding Circle
Dominick is Head of Distribution for Funding Circle. Prior to FC he co-founded fund placement agency, Capital-B. Prior to this he was head of Fund Distribution for Lombard Odier IM and head of European Fund Distribution for Ashmore Group. Dominick wo… Read full bio
Maria Pejter
Head of HR, A.P. Møller Holding
A.P. Moller Holding is the investment arm of the A.P. Moller Foundation. Our purpose is to exercise the Foundation’s role as an engaged owner; in the spirit of A.P. Møller, and to ensure that the Foundation continues to contribute to society in the f… Read full bio
Thomas Schneider
Managing Director & Founder, BrickVest
Thomas has over 16 years of experience in real estate investment, finance and development. Most recently, he was the founder and CEO of Limmat Group, a real estate private equity company focusing on investing and developing real estate projects in Eu… Read full bio
Sunaina Sinha
Managing Partner, Cebile Capital
Sunaina Sinha is the founder and Managing Partner of Cebile Capital, a private funds advisor based in London and New York. Under her leadership, Cebile Capital has quickly become one of the leading advisors in private equity and private debt. Cebile… Read full bio
Carina Spitzkopf
Director - Private Debt & CLO's, Hermes Investment Management
Carina joined Hermes in January 2019 as a Director in the Private Debt team. She is responsible for analysis and execution of transactions in the UK and Europe for the Hermes Direct Lending Funds. Previously, she was a Director in the UBS Leveraged F… Read full bio
Nicole Waibel
Managing Director, Crescent Credit
Nicole Waibel is a Managing Director at Crescent Capital focusing on European private debt investments. From 2001 to 2012 Nicole was with Indigo Capital, a leading European specialist lending fund, where she was most recently a partner. At Indigo Cap… Read full bio
Paul Ward
Managing Partner, Pantheon
Paul Ward, Managing Partner, joined Pantheon in 2003 and has 22 years of private equity experience. Paul is a member of the Partnership Board and leads the firm’s strategic development and operational management. Paul joined Pantheon from Lehman Brot… Read full bio
Sponsorship opportunities in 2019
The Women in Private Debt Forum offers a unique opportunity for organisations to raise their profile as a part of the premier meeting for private debt professionals focused on increasing diversity within the asset class.
For more information on available sponsorship opportunities contact Chris Wagland, chris.w@peimedia.com +44 (0) 0207 566 5475.
Pre-Event Resources
5 More London Place, Tooley St, London SE1 2BY
Hilton Tower Bridge
