29Bison, a human capital management consultant for private equity and venture capital firms and their portfolio companies, has launched AlphaCalc, a business intelligence platform that enhances due diligence, portfolio-monitoring, and value-creation processes. 

Zedra Fund Services, the boutique and mid-tier alternative funds administration specialist, has seen little fall out or changes to business patterns during the eight week Covid-19 lockdown which has gripped the UK and all main global markets.

Private equity firm Pelican Capital has backed the management buy-out of the the Financial & Regulatory Reporting and Tax divisions of ACA Compliance Group, with the business now operating as Wheelhouse Advisors.

Bower Talent: Best Operations & Finance Recruitment Company – The private equity industry values the important role support and operations staff play in a business. And although the COVID-19 crisis is throwing everyone off balance, it has brought two major trends into the foreground – digital and flexible working.

Jensen Partners: Best Investor Relations & Asset Raising Recruitment Company – The increased interest in ESG and impact investing is creating diverse hiring and marketing needs among general partners. As this trend continues to gain traction, it creates opportunity and challenges for the professionals building investment teams and those looking to market this new crop of strategies.

Citco: Best Fund Administrator >USD30 billion – The value of data and digitisation are coming to the fore within the private equity industry. Finding operational efficiency is high on managers’ agendas and making full use of the valuable data they have is key to further development in the space.

CEPRES: Best Data Management Solutions Provider – The private equity industry is expected to undergo significant changes across its investment processes. This is due to occur both in response to the current crisis and also bearing in mind the broader fundamental shift in capital and returns and systematic risk prior to this global calamity.

Centaur Fund Services: Best Fund Administrator <USD30 billion – Although the private equity industry’s resilience is being tested by the Covid-19 crisis, the outlook is not gloomy on all fronts. Market volatility can lead to losses, but it also has the potential to provide opportunities.

SS&C Intralinks: Best Secure Workflow Management Provider – Investors’ demands have grown exponentially in the past few years, with requests for more transparency, data and standardisation – combined with a focus on reducing fees. These operational requirements have become increasingly burdensome for GPs and create pressure that drives the need for efficiency.

Strait Fund Services (STRAIT) has strengthened its compliance offering for hedge fund and private equity clients with the appointment of Michael Barakat.