In this episode of Beyond the Fundraise, Atominvest is joined by Doug Gray, SVP of Investor Relations at Apax, to explore how the Client Service function is professionalizing across private markets - and why firms that get it right are building a lasting competitive advantage.
From professionalizing a client service function at global scale, to managing the bespoke data expectations of a diverse LP base and staying ahead of a fast-moving technology landscape, Doug shares grounded, practical insight from a career spent at the heart of investor relations at one of private markets' most recognized firms.
Whether you're standing up a client service function or looking to sharpen the one you have, this conversation is packed with honest perspective from someone doing it at the highest level.
Watch the full episode now!
Here's what we cover:
0:30 CHAPTER 1: Client Service as a Career
-Career journey from KPMG accountancy and corporate finance to SVP of Investor Relations at Apax
-No defined career path into Client Service, but the function is professionalizing fast
-First hires into the team need a bit more of a generalist foundation and some grounding in the technical aspects
8:11 CHAPTER 2: Meeting Evolving LP Needs
-LP expectations on pace and granularity have fundamentally shifted
-A global, mixed investor base demands a more bespoke approach - one size fits all no longer works
-Some LP requests stem from their own internal processes
13:09 CHAPTER 3: AI and Technology in Private Markets
-Data, technology, and AI is a whole momentum in itself - getting internal data in place to leverage it is the priority
-You can't drop LP servicing to run software demos, carving out time requires genuine prioritization
-An internal operational excellence practice with AI and data specialists brings an entirely different angle
16:53 CHAPTER 4: Client Service Community
-The network is built through people moving firms, LinkedIn connections, and dedicated IR events
-Peers in Client Service are almost always facing the same problems - the conversation is valuable whether they've solved them or not
-For firms standing up the function, start by identifying the current gaps... the right hire follows from there
About Atominvest
Atominvest is a leading technology provider for private markets asset managers, offering a unified software platform that streamlines investor relations, AI-powered portfolio management, and compliance workflows. With over 150K users globally and more than $5 trillion in AUM supported, Atominvest powers investor and portfolio operations across private equity, private credit, venture capital, real assets, and asset management firms.
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