Investment Association appoints first head of private markets

In a strategic move marking the Investment Association’s (IA’s) recognition of the increasing importance of private markets, the IA has appointed Namita Kain to the newly created role of head of private markets.

Kain joins from Octopus Investments and will lead IA’s work and engagement on all issues related to private markets, advocating for the investment management perspective on relevant regulatory and legislative developments and championing the role of private market investment in delivering economic growth.

The Association created the new role as it reorganises strategically to recognise the increasing importance of private markets within the industry, it stated.

Galina Dimitrova, director for investment and capital markets at the IA, said: “Private markets have seen exponential growth as companies and investors turn to them for capital, income, and diversification. Namita’s appointment will drive our strategic focus in this dynamic space, ensuring investment sits at the heart of the government’s growth agenda.”

Kain said: “I’ve seen first-hand the rapid growth of private markets in recent years, which now represent over $12trn (€10.4trn) in global AUM. I’m excited to step into this new role at the Investment Association and work with our members, government and regulator to ensure that private market growth continues at pace, with the correct policy levers in place to unlock greater investment and drive economic growth in the UK.”

Next month, the IA will also be hosting its first-ever Private Markets Summit. The summit will bring together policymakers, regulators and industry experts to share their thoughts on the factors driving private markets growth, how private markets can be an engine for wider economic and social prosperity, and the challenges and opportunities that exist in this space.

Separately, the IA’s capital markets division has been further bolstered by the promotion of Hugo Gordon from senior policy adviser to the new role of head of capital markets.

Gordon has spent more than 10 years at the IA, specialising in capital markets policy. In his new role, he is responsible for all matters relating to public markets, overseeing the association’s approach to policy issues on public equities and fixed income, FX, ETFs, and derivatives.

Gordon also has oversight of all IA special committees and all trading, market infrastructure and investment operations matters relevant to IA member firms.

Dimitrova added: “The investment management industry plays a pivotal role in fuelling economic growth and I am excited to announce two key appointments that enhance the Investment Association’s leadership in both public and private markets.”

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