Private Debt
Investor
Investor
Women in Private Debt Forum London 2020
3 - 4 November 2020,
Royal Lancaster Hotel - 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 600 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
Investors who attended last year
2020 Advisory Board
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.
2020 Advisory Board
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.
Bridget Barker
Non Executive Director and Consulant
Bridget Barker spent over 35 years at leading City law firm, Macfarlanes. Bridget was the Head of the Investment Management Group and specialised in fund formation and financial services regulation, focussing on the private equity, real estate and cr… Read full bio
Matthew Brockman
Managing Partner, Hg
Matthew is a Managing Partner, Chair of the Hg Investment Committees and is a member of the Hg board. Matthew focuses on day to day leadership of the firm including the Genesis and Mercury funds. Matthew joined Hg in 2010 and originally led the devel… 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
Audrey Klein
Head of Fundraising, Kennedy Wilson
Audrey Klein is Head of Fundraising for Kennedy Wilson Europe. Prior to this she held roles at Cromwell and Corestate but is best known for starting the European business out of London for the Park Hill Real Estate Group, a Division of Blackstone. … Read full bio
Cécile Mayer-Lévi
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
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
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
Patricia Rodrigues-Jenner
Investor & Advisor in Real Assets, Independent
Dr. Patricia Rodrigues-Jenner is an investor and advisor in real assets. Patricia is also a Non-Executive Board member at the Aquila European Renewables Income Fund PLC, listed in the LSE. Patricia has over 17 years of investment management experienc… Read full bio
Erin Sarret
Director, StepStone Group
Ms. Sarret is a member of the Business Development team and the ESG Committee, responsible for managing client relationships in France, Belgium, and Monaco. Prior to StepStone, Ms. Sarret worked in investor relations across public and private markets… Read full bio
Deborah Zurkow
Global Head of Investments, Allianz
Deborah Zurkow is Global Head of Investments at Allianz Global Investors, and a member of the Executive Committee. In January 2020, Deborah took on responsibility for leading AllianzGI’s investment platform, which comprises Alternatives, Equities, Fi… Read full bio
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: Why diversity and culture are a value driver in business
Brenda Trenowden CBE
Brenda helps clients with all aspects of workplace performance, culture and communication. Brenda has a particular focus on helping her clients to achieve better business performance by improving both the diversity and inclusiveness of their workforces. She is a strong advocate for women’s economic empowerment and has been recognised with several awards for her global campaigning for greater gender balance across organisations as a voluntary, business-led imperative.
09:30 - 10:15
Head of Private Markets: The themes that unify our asset classes
Clare Gaskell,
Amy Aznar,
Andrew Blincoe,
Kirsten Bode,
Melissa Li
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?
Moderated by: Clare Gaskell, Partner, Simpson Thacher
Infrastructure: Andrew Blincoe, Head of Structured Finance, NatWest
Private Debt:Kirsten Bode, Co-Head of Private Debt, Pan Europe, Muzinch & Co
Private Equity: Melissa Li, Managing Director, CIBC Capital Markets
Real Estate: Amy Aznar, Head of Debt and Special Situations, LaSalle Investment Management
10:15 - 10:55
How are investor pressures driving change within the funds they invest in?
Laurie Mahon,
Matina Papathanasiou,
Imogen Richards,
Erin Sarret
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
Laurie Mahon
Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC World Markets
Read bio
10:55 - 11:35
Coffee & networking
Women in Private Debt Forum 2019
11:35 - 11:40
Private debt chairperson's opening remarks
Dalit Nuttall
11:40 - 12:20
State of Play: How Europe's lending landscape is shifting
Fiona Freeman,
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?
Moderated by: Fiona Freeman, Managing Director, FTI Consulting
12:20 - 13:00
How technological innovation is re-shaping credit markets
Gabriella Kindert,
Frederic Hofmann,
Fei-Fei Porter,
Sandrine Richard,
Thomas Schneider
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
Moderated by: Gabriella Kindert, Expert in Alternative Lending – Board Member, Mizuho Europe
Gabriella Kindert
Expert In Alternative Lending and Private Debt, Supervisory Board Member – Mizuho Europe
Read bio
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
Jeff Davis,
Sandrine Richard,
Carina Spitzkopf,
Nicole Waibel,
Michelle Winters
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
Moderated by: Jeff Davis, Partner – Co-Head of Credit, Eaton Partners
14:45 - 15:15
Private debt case studies
Nicole Douglas,
Adriana Oller,
Magdalena Sniegocka
Presentations
Comparing and contrasting deals in 2 different European markets
- How do covenants compare across different countries?
- Where do funds see increased opportunities in private debt?
Moderated by: Nicole Douglas, Head of Investor Research, PEI Media
15:15 - 16:00
Beyond a Box-Ticking Exercise: ESG and Private Debt
Sabrina Fox,
Mirja Lehmler-Brown,
Kristina Matthews,
Oyin Oduya
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
Moderated by: Sabrina Fox, Executive Advisor, European Leveraged Finance Alliance
16:00 - 16:30
Coffee & networking
Women in Private Debt Forum 2019
16:30 - 17:10
What are LP views of the European private debt market today
Faten Bizzari,
Lauren Fradgley,
Scott Wilkinson,
Aurelie Hariton-Fardad
Panel Session
- LP views on loosening deal terms in Europe
- How are investors differentiating between fund managers?
- Are LPs concerned about style drift as fund sizes increase?
Moderated by: Faten Bizzari, Head of Investment Research, IANUA Market Limited
17:10 - 17:45
Looking across the pond: How does European direct lending compare to the more established U.S. market?
Daniela Jönsson,
Andy Thomson
Interview
- Outlining the historical evolution of both markets
- Dynamics in each market– size, performance, supply and demand, product type, relative value, return drivers
- Current market conditions and development
- What are the characteristics of sophisticated direct lenders in each market?
17:45 - 19:00
Women in Private Markets Cocktail Reception
Agenda
Day 2 - Wednesday 6th
08:00 - 09:00
Invitation only think-tanks
Anamica Broetz,
Gila Cohen,
Laurie Mahon,
Matina Papathanasiou,
Katherine Taylor
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 & Laurie Mahon, Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC Capital Markets
- Private equity: Anamica Broetz, Head of Investor Relations, DWS Private Equity
- Private Debt: Katherine Taylor, Director – Business Development, THL Credit
- Real Estate: Gila Cohen, Managing Director – Real Estate and Private Equity, MUFG
Laurie Mahon
Vice-Chair, US Investment Banking, Global Investment Banking, CIBC World Markets
Read bio
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,
Maria Pejter,
Nupur Garg,
Shami Nissan
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 - 10:15
Highlights of the PEI LP Insight findings
Nicole Douglas
Presentation
The PEI Investor Research & Analytics team surveyed over 100 LPs to capture investor sentiment on asset allocation, relationships with GPs, and performance predictions. The study also features insight on gender diversity and inclusion. Investors range from established players with diverse fund portfolios, to those planning to make their first alternatives commitments in 2020.
Presented by: Nicole Douglas, Head of Investor Research, PEI Media Group
10:15 - 10:50
View from the deal team: What skills are required to make a successful investment partner?
Samantha Hung,
Cécile Mayer-Lévi,
Claire Madden,
Adriana Clancy
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?
Moderated by: Samantha Hung, Deputy Representative, European Representative Office, ADB
10:50 - 11:30
How, why and when to move between alternative asset classes
Gail McManus,
Yodia Lo,
Merrick McKay,
Jessica Otte
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
11:30 - 12:00
Coffee & networking
Plenary
12:00 - 12:40
Meet a Mentor Session
Helen Bailey Thomas,
Meg Brown,
Deborah Gilshan,
Emma Haight-Cheng,
Anke Heinze,
Keeran Kang,
Merrick McKay,
Jessica Otte,
Imogen Richards,
Harry Seekings,
Katherine Taylor,
Pooja Warier Hamilton,
Alex Wilson
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.
Pooja Warier Hamilton, Founding Partner and Executive Director, Conduit Capital
Imogen Richards, Partner and Global Head of Investment Structuring and Strategy, Pantheon
Jessica Otte, Director, Stepstone Global
Alex Wilson, Managing Director and Head, Corporate Banking Europe, CIBC Capital Markets
Merrick McKay, Head of Europe – Private Equity, Aberdeen Standard Investments
Anke Heinze, Director of the Investments & Financing Department, AviAlliance
Katherine Taylor, Director – Business Development, THL Credit
Deborah Gilshan, Founder, The 100% Club
Keeran Kang, Senior Vice President, Partners Group
Harry Seekings, Co-Head of Infrastructure, InfraRed
Helen Bailey Thomas, Non-Executive Director and Board Adviser
Emma Haight-Cheng, Partner – Head of Infrastructure Debt Europe, AMP Capital
Meg Brown, Managing Director, Marketing & Business Development, Impax Asset Management
12:40 - 14:15
Themed networking working lunch
Nupur Garg,
Christina Han,
Roxana Isaiu,
Elena Kosseva,
Sandra Lowe,
EmÃlia Mamajová,
Deborah Okenla,
Abigail Rayner,
Chris Rowse,
Ulyana Shtybel,
Jean Sweeney
Tables discussing a variety of topics over lunch led by an expert moderator
Ulyana Shtybel (HighCastle) – Tokenisation of private equity and private debt
Emilia Mamajova (Espira Investments) – Diversity & Impact
Abigail Rayner (HarbourVest Partners) – Infrastructure Secondaries
Roxana Isaiu (GRESB) – ESG & Real Assets
Nupur Garg (Senior Advisor PE) – Forming a women’s private equity network
Chris Rowse (Riverhouse Partners) – Recruitment: Challenges and Diversity Trends
Jean Sweeney (Citco Fund Services) – Technology and Private Markets
Elena Kosseva (LCR)- Private Investment and Urban Regeneration
Christina Han (Partners Group) – Thematic Sourcing
Sandra Lowe (InfraRed Capital Partners) – IR and Capital Raising
Deborah Okenla (YSYS) – Diversity and Startups
14:15 - 14:25
Chairperson's closing remarks
Featured speakers from 2019
Sponsorship opportunities
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.
