Modernizing Private Markets Operations at a $310B US-Based Asset Manager

When manual processes threatened to bottleneck growth, we transformed a leading asset manager’s private markets capabilities through intelligent system integration.

The Challenge

The client, a US-based asset manager with $310 billion AUM, was aiming to expand their investment capabilities by including Private Placements in their existing client portfolios. The intention was to leverage their existing operational processes and systems, which were used by other investment teams. However, it quickly became clear that their current solution for managing the deal pipeline and book of business- was not fit for purpose. The client needed a more robust system to manage their deal pipeline effectively and support their growth ambitions.

Our Approach

Liqueo was engaged to implement Charles River for the Private Markets team, a cloud-based investment management solution for institutions investing in various asset classes, providing a comprehensive solution for managing the deal pipeline from inception through to daily surveillance and client reporting. The implementation included integration with the Charles River Order Management System (OMS) for unified private markets management to streamline order management processes across the business. Our approach was comprehensive and collaborative, involving:

Operating Model Redesign: Liqueo designed a new operating model for the Private Credit team to fully leverage the new functionality provided by Charles River.
Integration Expertise: We integrated Mercatus with Charles River OMS, enabling seamless communication between investment teams and ensuring efficient, end-to-end management of the deal lifecycle.
Strategic Guidance: Throughout the engagement, Liqueo provided strategic advisory to ensure the new systems aligned with the client’s overall operational and business goals.

The Results

Enhanced Collaboration Across Teams: The implementation of Charles River allowed the Private Markets team to work seamlessly with other areas of the business. This integration enabled better coordination across different functions, improving overall efficiency.
Improved Client Transparency: By integrating daily surveillance and client reporting capabilities, the Private Credit team could demonstrate daily performance and the effects on the total portfolio to their clients. This significantly improved transparency and trust with clients, setting the firm apart from competitors.
Future-Ready Operations: The newly designed operating model not only supported the immediate needs of the Private Credit team but also laid the foundation for scaling these capabilities to additional teams. This future-proofing positioned the client to efficiently grow their AUM and investment capabilities further.
A Better Alternative to Legacy Processes: Unlike other consultancies that might have opted to build a custom solution from scratch, Liqueo focused on leveraging existing systems in a more intelligent way, thus reducing both costs and time to market. This pragmatic approach minimized disruption and ensured faster adoption by the client’s teams.
Catalyst for Further Growth: The success of the implementation has led to the client planning a roll-out to additional teams, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of the solution. By solving immediate pain points, we unlocked the potential for continued growth and expanded capabilities.