Ion Influencers Fireside Chat: Real Assets Secondaries with Angus Whiteley
Angus Whiteley joins Giovanni Amodeo host of Ion Influencers’ Fireside Chat to discuss real asset secondaries and how Stafford has been an early mover in this space for the past 25 years.
During their conversation, Angus highlights several interconnected themes that underscore the growing significance of secondaries against the current economic climate. As we see private market allocations continue to expand, the need for liquidity solutions is becoming increasingly critical for investors and therefore can position secondaries as a tool for long-term, strategic portfolio management. In addition, a favourable investment landscape, driven by a supply-demand imbalance and a relatively low volume of capital currently pursuing private market opportunities can also feed into the growing interest in secondaries opportunities. Angus also explores the correlation between the exit market and secondaries, noting that institutional liquidity needs and internal decision-making processes can create fertile ground for secondary transactions.
A particular focus of this conversation is on the opportunity that lies in real assets, specifically to our case in timberland and infrastructure, where longer fund structures can make liquidity solutions particularly relevant. However, as discussed in this interview, Angus observed how these niche sectors also present barriers to entry, with specialized knowledge and established asset bases posing challenges for newcomers. The evolution of deal sourcing and due diligence is another key focus, with proprietary deal flow and proactive analysis becoming essential for identifying and securing quality investments.
Angus notes, “Geopolitics is leading to a more uncertain, unpredictable economic outlook. Accessing long term, yielding, core assets through a secondaries strategy enables investors to benefit from the uncertainty whilst building a resilient portfolio. We see this opportunity today in both the infrastructure and timberland sectors.”
They further discuss the rise of GP-led secondaries, which are gaining traction due to their ability to support longer-term value creation and asset retention. Sustainability and decarbonization also feature prominently, especially in long-term asset strategies, with Stafford committed to addressing climate risks and contributing to ESG initiatives for its investors.
To conclude, Angus briefly shares his thoughts around the current, macroeconomic instability and the long-term impacts of climate change, advocating for diversification and resilient investment strategies to navigate these global challenges.
You can watch the interview in full by clicking the linked image below:
