StanChart's UHNW private markets club to expand co-investment
Amid ongoing market volatility, private markets continue to offer compelling opportunities for global investors seeking diversification and long-term growth, particularly in sectors driving innovation and global development.
With this in mind, and to meet the rising demand for institutional-grade private market investments, Standard Chartered Private Bank has recently launched the Private Markets Co-Investment Club (CIC). The initiative is designed to offer sophisticated investors a resource-efficient way to build private market portfolios, focusing on manager-led direct and co-investment opportunities.
Nicholas Cheng, head of the bank’s private markets group, noted a consistent demand for private credit, infrastructure, technology and healthcare. “These sectors offer attractive yields, inflation protection and long-term growth potential, which are particularly appealing in the current market environment,” he told AsianInvestor in an emailed statement.
Infrastructure investments, particularly in renewable energy and digital infrastructure, align with global development priorities and provide stable, long-term returns, he added.
Raising the bar
CIC members will gain access to institutional-grade due diligence while retaining full discretion over individual investment decisions. They will also benefit from facilitated execution, transaction support and regular reporting updates.
For this launch, Standard Chartered Private Bank has partnered with private investment house Ardian to provide programmatic access to private equity co-investment opportunities. The partnership aims to ensure a steady flow of investment deals, allowing CIC members to diversify strategically and capitalise on emerging opportunities while reducing risks associated with ad-hoc deal sourcing.
“We prioritise partners with proven track records, deep sector expertise and robust due diligence processes,” Cheng said. “This strategic partnership model enables us to offer our clients access to a pipeline of institutional-grade co-investment deals without requiring them to curate each opportunity themselves.”
As investor demand surges, transparency and regulatory considerations remain crucial. Cheng emphasised that CIC mitigates these concerns by partnering with established private equity managers who operate within regulated frameworks and adhere to global best practices. “Our selection process emphasises partners with strong compliance records and a commitment to transparency,” he added.
Initially, the CIC will be available to eligible clients in Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, with plans to expand to Jersey, UK. Eligibility will be determined based on criteria set by Standard Chartered Private Bank.