JPMAM expands private equity strategy to wealth clients

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) has launched the JPMorgan Private Markets Fund (JPMF) in Australia, in a bid to bring its institutional-grade private equity strategy to private wealth clients.

JPMF is a diversified, multi-manager private equity fund focused on small- and mid-market opportunities, with significant allocations to secondaries and co-investment transactions.

JPMAM chief executive for Australia and New Zealand Andrew Creber said the asset manager is expanding access and broadening investment opportunities for high-net-worth individuals, who have historically been under-allocated to private markets.

"As heightened market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty continue to put pressure on the traditional 60/40 portfolio, alternatives are becoming an essential building block for resilient portfolios," Creber said.

"Private equity stands out by providing the potential for higher returns through exposure to growing private companies, lower volatility, and greater equity diversification - with access to an investable universe larger than public markets."

The fund will be delivered through a retail registered Australian unit trust and will be managed by JPMAM's Private Equity Group, with 260 active general partner relationships.

JPMAM said the multi-manager approach is especially valuable in private equity, where information asymmetry is believed to be high and specialised managers provide unique knowledge, networks, and insights.

JPMAM head of wholesale Mark Carlile said the launch serves as the introduction for the upcoming series of evergreen solutions the asset manager plans to expand in the near future.

"The launch of JPMF is not only an important milestone in our journey to democratise alternatives but also serves as the introduction of our upcoming series of evergreen solutions which we plan to expand in the near future," Carlile said.

"Drawing on our decades of experience, strong governance framework, and global capabilities, we are committed to providing tailored solutions through the right vehicles, aiming to meet clients' objectives and supporting them at every stage of their alternatives investment journey."