Funds Focus London: Democratisation – The Changing Face of Private Markets

Nick Smith joined AIMA in February 2017 and is the Managing Director, Private Credit for AIMA’s private credit affiliate, the Alternative Credit Council (ACC). His role focuses on public policy and regulatory issues affecting private credit managers as well as the ACC’s active research and events programme. Nick has 10+ years of experience in public affairs having previously worked in advocacy roles for the retail, banking and asset finance sectors. Nick has a degree in Politics and Modern History from the University of Manchester and Chairs the networking group Labour in the City.

Stuart is an experienced director having held various global board positions for over 12 years and worked in financial services for 20+ years. He previously worked as a funds lawyer in the City and the Caribbean; he also qualified as a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors. He has worked for a global fund administration business initially as jurisdictional MD then as part of the group management board leading the group’s international funds division.

Marie is based in JTC’s London office and has over 25 years’ experience in global funds, including experience in private equity accounting. Marie was appointed Head of Client Experience for ICS in 2024, where she is responsible for overseeing client experience across the global ICS network, ensuring that clients have a positive interaction with JTC, understanding client needs and their challenges. Marie has also played a leading role in building and maintaining intermediary relationships and growing organic new business in the fund and corporate services markets with a particular mandate on developing JTC’s global private equity offering. Before joining JTC, Marie held a senior position at Langham Hall where she had responsibility for growing new business across Europe. Prior to this, Marie spent 11 years working for two prestigious private equity firms. Marie is also a qualified certified chartered accountant and Fellow member of the ACCA.

Rob has over 35 years of experience advising clients within the asset management (“AM”) sector. Rob began his tax career at HMRC before joining PwC in November 1998. Rob is responsible for a number of Private Asset focused AM clients advising on issues such as Fund, House and Investor issues including tax authority investigations, M&A deals, Transfer Pricing and Reward (carry, co-investment, ownership structures) as well as overall Operating Model design and governance. Rob has worked on a number of Funds structured for HNWI and worked with Private Banks and Wealth Managers to structure aggregator structures into Alternative Investment Fund structures. Rob is in the global PwC Editorial Board for AM Industry thought leadership pieces ranging from AM 2020” (issued in 2014) and the recently issued “Embracing Exponential Change” series and for the last 5 years has led PwC’s sponsorship of Funds Congress.

Russell leads the Advisory function across the KPMG Islands Group encompassing Crown Dependencies, Bermuda, Cayman, Bahamas and Malta, focusing on Deal Advisory Services. He leads engagement teams across a number of prominent clients and sectors, including the finance sector encompassing asset management, insurance and banking. Russell’s Deal Advisory experience consists of acquisition and vendor due diligence, together with public company transactions, mainly focused on UK and US exchanges. Public company transactions undertaken include a significant number of LSE Main Market AIM IPO’s of Isle of Man, Cayman and BVI entities, and restructuring of AIM quoted entities. Russell has also undertaken a number of engagements in the asset management sector in jurisdictions (including Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Switzerland and Gibraltar) on behalf of private equity owners in both a due diligence and lead advisory role.

Dilmun Leach is a member of Walkers' Jersey Investment Funds & Corporate practice group in Jersey, advising on a range of funds, corporate and regulatory matters. Dilmun’s funds practice involves the establishment and restructuring of investment funds in a range of asset classes including private equity, real estate, infrastructure, CLOs/debt, and open-ended hedge funds. He advises on the establishment and licencing of fund managers and investment advisers in Jersey, and setting up various fund satellite vehicles including carry and co-investment vehicles, and alternative investment and securitisation vehicles.