FTLive and Reorg: Global Alternative Credit Summit (May 4-5, 2022) — London program

Private credit is booming with estimates suggesting the market is now worth more than US$1 trillion. Having moved from the margins to the mainstream, this previously niche asset class is proving a real disruptor in debt capital markets, as investors seek out steady and healthy returns, and borrowers opt for new non-bank sources of finance. Hear from market leading experts on distressed restructuring, bankruptcy analysis, and the leveraged loan market in 2022 and beyond.

GLOBAL ALTERNATIVE CREDIT SUMMIT
4 – 5 May 2022
Unlocking Opportunities in Private Debt as the Credit Cycle Turns
In-Person & Digital l Glaziers Hall, London and Harvard Club, New York | #FTAltCredit

The potential for this market is enormous, but there are risks. For LPs, non-bank credit offers diversification uncorrelated with traditional investments; for borrowers, it promises quicker decisions on loans, better tenors and tailored covenants. Yet, despite ample capital, caution remains a watchword as the global credit cycle turns and the pandemic continues to influence the prospects for business and finance. Moreover, with growing calls for greater transparency and tighter regulation in private credit, is now the right time to join this market? Do the benefits outweigh the risks of this dynamic new asset class?

How does this shadow banking market compare to other private asset classes in terms of returns and ease of access? To what extent has it matured to meet the risk and return profile of an increasingly sophisticated pool of global investors? Can current rates of return be sustained in developed markets, against a fast changing and uncertain macro-economic and geo-political background? To what extent will Asia follow a similar growth path? As demand for direct lending, distressed debt, structured credit and leverage finance increases, where will new avenues for growth emerge? How concerned should investors be about warnings around systemic risks, market opacity, standards and illiquidity issues? Is it time to step up the regulation of private credit?

London Program: May 4

Opening remarks from the FT Chair
Robert Smith, Capital Markets Correspondent, Financial Times

View from the Top: How resilient is private debt as the credit cycle turns?
2021 was a bumper year for private credit, with the market size growing to almost US$1 trillion. Demand from investors for new assets is high and the industry is seizing the opportunity to drive growth. But can this be sustained as the credit cycle turns? What impact does the prospect of rising interest rates and higher inflation have on the outlook for borrowers of private credit and generally credit quality? To what extent are private debt market risks reduced by the characteristics of the market, such as floating rate loans, privately negotiated deals and shorter durations? Are issues of transparency and liquidity likely to create challenges if markets become volatile?

• Katie Martin, Markets Editor, Financial Times
• Jonathan DeSimone, Chief Executive Officer, Alcentra
• Ben Levenstein, Head of Private Credit and Alternative Income, Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Magdalena Högberg, Head of Strategic Asset Allocation and Quantitative Analysis Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund (AP4)

Economist Keynote: Higher inflation and rising interest rates – a threat or opportunity for alternative credit?

• Gerard Lyons, Chief Economic Strategist, Netwealth
• Chris Giles, Economics Editor, Financial Times

LP Leaders’ Panel: Is this the right time to expand allocations in private credit?
Globally, the private credit market continues to experience strong growth. Fuelled by strong appetite from investors, the asset class is now a widely accepted part of the strategic allocation for institutional portfolios. However, with capital continuing to move into this space, dry power is increasing as investments with an attractive risk-return ratio are becoming harder to find. What are investors’ current and medium term expectations of returns in this market? How important is credit quality as competition for deals intensifies? How worried should investors be about transparency in this market?

• Robert Smith, Capital Markets Correspondent, Financial Times
• Brian Olvany, Head of Private Debt, Zurich Insurance
• Emma Bewley, Managing Director, Head of Private Debt and Uncorrelated Strategies
  Partners Capital 
• Mikael Limpalaer, Senior Investment Director, AustralianSuper

Keynote: From shadow banking to mainstream asset class – is private debt now better than public?

• Josephine Cumbo, Global Pensions Correspondent, Financial Times
• Marcie Frost, CEO, CalPERS

Panel: Is the Distressed Debt opportunity primed for a new dawn?
Defaults and distressed opportunities seemed likely when the pandemic hit, but stimulus measures and creativity in financing put the market into a holding pattern. Now, as the world economy starts to normalise, and live with Covid, and as talks of tapering become reality, solvency is once again an issue for businesses. As the environment becomes favourable again for distressed investors how is the market cycle developing and how big is the distressed opportunity likely to be? To what extent will current low interest rates affect returns? How cautious should investors be about entering this market, given the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty?

• Mario Oliviero, Managing Director, International Credit, Reorg 
• Christine Farquhar, Co-Head of Credit, Cambridge Associates 
• Ty Wallach, Managing Director, Chief Investment Officer of Credit, Atlas Merchant Capital
• Ivelina Green, CIO, Pearlstone Alternative
• Jason Mudrick, Founder and CIO, Mudrick Capital Management LP
• Adam Phillips, Partner, Head of DM Special Situations, BlueBay Asset Management

Welcome remarks from FT and Reorg

• Robert Smith, Capital Markets Correspondent, Financial Times
• Julie Miecamp, Managing Editor – Europe, Reorg

Panel: Is tighter regulation needed in non-bank lending?
The recent pace of growth in the alternative credit market has taken everyone by surprise, not least regulators and market watchers, some of whom are raising concerns about the potential for systemic risks. Has the time come for more regulation in this market, particularly around fund leverage and liquidity risk management? To what extent is alternative credit’s interconnectedness with the wider financial sector an issue that can’t be ignored? How can market players collaborate with policy makers to shape a regime with protects investors and the wider economy, whilst allowing alternative credit to evolve?

• Adelene Lee, Managing Editor, Reorg
• Jiri Krol, Global Head, Alternative Credit Council
• Nathan Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Arcmont Asset Management

LP Fireside Chat – Harnessing the illiquidity premium of private markets

• Robert Smith, Capital Markets Correspondent, Financial Times
• Mark Fawcett, Chief Investment Officer, Nest

Leaders’ Panel: Finding value in private credit – which strategies are most effective in the current market?
Private debt has emerged as the new frontier for private and institutional investors on the hunt for yield. As capital continues to move into this space and dry power increases, where are the pockets of opportunity opening up? What is the outlook for returns in direct lending, fund of funds, distressed debt, special situation funds, and mezzanine finance? To what extent are asset owners adapting their approach, with potential participation in co-investments and secondary markets?

• Julie Miecamp, Managing Editor – Europe, Reorg 
• Howard Sharp, Head of Origination – Europe, Alcentra
• Luis Mayans, Partner and Deputy Head, Private Debt, CDPQ
• Gregory Racz, President, MGG Investment Group

Closing remarks followed by VIP Networking Dinner

• Robert Smith, Capital Markets Correspondent, Financial Times
• Julie Miecamp, Managing Editor – Europe, Reorg