Coller Capital has announced the launch of its Private Equity Secondaries Fund into the local market.
According to the firm, this marks its first dedicated evergreen fund for Australian private wealth investors and aims to provide easy access to a diversified portfolio of private equity investments.
Namely, it aims to deliver a combination of absolute and risk-adjusted returns, diversification and the opportunity for more liquidity than traditional private credit funds, Coller confirmed this week.
Commenting on the launch, Jake Elmhirst, partner and head of its private wealth secondaries solutions business, said: “We are excited to bring Coller Capital’s 34 years of industry-leading expertise in private equity secondaries to Australia’s wealth sector, with our first evergreen fund specifically designed for the high-net-worth market.”
Elmhirst added that the launch comes at a “perfect time” for the market, amid growing demand from private wealth investors who are increasingly looking to private markets to increase diversification and enhance returns within their portfolios.
The firm further clarified that the fund will be part of Coller’s broader strategy to expand its private wealth secondary solutions business.
This is supported by the recent opening of its Melbourne office, alongside the appointment of David Hallifax as head of Australia and New Zealand, private wealth distribution, last year.
Commenting on the launch, Hallifax added, “The Australian wealth market is rapidly evolving, and we believe this fund provides an ideal solution for investors seeking access to private equity without the traditional barriers.
“With secondary private equity poised to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns and liquidity solutions designed specifically for the private wealth investor, we believe our new fund is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of Australian investors.”
Having announced the opening of its Melbourne office in June last year, Coller said the location would act as the firm’s “strategic hub” for its Private Wealth Secondaries Solutions (PWSS) business in the region.
Moreover, the senior appointment of Hallifax, also in June, marked the latest in a series of hires that Coller Capital had made to grow its PWSS business.
At the time, Boris Maeder, managing director and head of international private wealth distribution, said: “Dave’s arrival is testament to our commitment of supporting our growing global private client base with a local and hands-on approach.
“Dave brings excellent experience in private markets and investment management, and we are delighted to welcome him to Coller Capital. Alongside our growing team, together, we will deliver superior secondaries solutions to private wealth investors in Australia and New Zealand, enabling them to access the increased liquidity, portfolio diversification and risk mitigation that secondaries afford,” Maeder added.
