Money Maze Podcast

Ares is recognised as one of the leading global alternative investment managers, investing across credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure.Listed on the NYSE, it has over 4,000 employees, $595billion in assets* and a substantial geographical footprint.Blair explains the high yielding Ares-managed listed vehicle, ARCC, which as a business development company (BDC) structure must distribute 90% of taxable income and averages 9% of yields*.He discusses how being a public entity gives them a “currency” which is highly valued by employees, and also how it has helped with brand recognition as its growth accelerated.We discuss European capital markets and the structural reliance on bank debt versus private credit (the inverse of arrangements in the US). He explains how it is changing, as well as the current headwinds and opportunities ahead.He discusses why over 1,400 conversations take place in Europe each year, but Ares makes less than 50 loan investments in direct lending, how they are deploying over $100 billion of dry powder firmwide, and the criteria that matter for them.He explains their focus on the middle market, their ownership of sports assets – including a $500 million preferred equity stake in Chelsea FC – and their other media and entertainment investments.Finally, Blair responds to the question around the growth of credit secondaries and continuation vehicles, assessing the motivation behind the growth, and risks associated with the wealth management sector’s increasing allocation to this space. The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube (*AUM as of 30/09/25, BDC distribution stats as at 04/11/25)

On 30th September and 1st October 2025 we held our inaugural Money Maze Allocator Summit (MMAS). We gathered 120+ global investors & allocators - many of whom have been previous guests - for 2 days of fascinating investment discussions.It proved incredibly popular & much of that was a result of the quality of panels, moderators & topics!The moderator was the brilliant Annachiara Marcandalli, Global Head of Sustainability at Cambridge Associates. The panel was Brian Menell (Chairman and CEO, TechMet), Per Lekander (CEO, Clean Energy Transition), Bill Orum (Partner, Capricorn Investment Group) & Kristin Eshak Weldon (Senior Managing Director, CCI). The climatic changes challenging our world should not be in doubt. The responses, the consequences and the investment opportunities and risks are profound.The panel encompasses rare earths, electrification, power sources, uses and solutions, the EV charge, the continued role of hydrocarbons & much more…-- MMAS - More Info & 2026 Event Registration - Please note that the 6th/7th October date indicated on the webpage remains provisional (as of 30/10/25). The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG.

It’s not every guest who would admit in their new book, with brutal honesty, “I’ve been vilified, satirised, protested against- a hate figure both on left and right.” But it is also uncommon, if not without precedent, for someone who has led their political party, been deputy Prime Minister for 5 years, to then re-invent themselves, chameleon-like, move to silicon valley and join the senior ranks of one of the world’s most successful technology companies, Meta. Before he discusses his new book “How to Save the Internet - The Threat to Global Connection in the Age of AI and Political Conflict,” Nick explores power and politics, ambition and insights. He speaks about content moderation and removing Trump from Facebook, the balkanisation of the Internet, and why AI might not be the existential arrival feared by some. He laments Europe’s failings, US tech dominance, why China is an immense technology force, and what is needed to achieve cohesion amongst the democratic powers in developing a tech roadmap.The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

When someone speaks with a deep of understanding of the banking and finance systems, is widely respected, and then expresses a strong but debatable view, about a developing asset class, we think it’s important to hear that voice and to challenge and distil its key messages. So in this episode we welcome back a former guest who appeared on the MMP in March 2023 during the banking storm, during with Silicon Valley Bank and then Credit Suisse. His conclusion was unequivocally that this was no repeat of the 2008 GFC, as has been proven. In addressing his recent report from Oliver Wyman, titled “private credit is reshaping wealth portfolios”, we wanted to challenge him on several issues, including; Is it that innocuous? Is this a trend which will serve big private asset firms at the expense of individuals? How about bad times and souring loans? Does the loss of liquidity matter? Are we swapping risks from the regulated banking sector to the unregulated world of the giant private market firms? And so Huw and I face off in a discussion on the risks and opportunities that are the hallmarks of this fast-growing slice of the investing world. ​​The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

Has the demise of London's leading financial services been "greatly exaggerated", and does the underlying evidence tell a very different story? In this interview, held at Mansion House in the historic City of London financial district, the Right Honourable Alastair King (696th Lord Mayor of the City of London) explains his view that the UK enjoys an unrivalled position, untouched by other European capitals. He explains London and the wider UK “moat”, and why it exhibits persistency and resilience. Perhaps the most unexpected statistic is the significant growth in employment numbers in the City since Brexit. He discusses the importance of the Mansion House Reforms and the £75bn of investment by 2030, headed into private assets. He discusses why we must recognise that we need to take more risk, judiciously but emphatically (and this is directed at both public and private markets). Lord Alastair then touches on the lessons we can learn from Canada and Australia and his current priorities. Finally, he explains why we need to get on planes/trains in order to trumpet the UK and drive new business opportunities. The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

Peter Frankopan is a Professor of Global History at Oxford, and author of The Silk Roads. His work has been both profound and enduring, with the book being translated into more than 45 languages and selling nearly 3 million copies worldwide. The updated version has just been published. In this conversation, Peter reflects on the potent forces at work both within and outside of Asia. He assesses the changing world order and discusses if the complexity of interplays which may appear uncomfortable to us, are actually less violent and dramatic when viewed through a historic lens. From China to Iran, India to the Baltics, this globe-trotting conversation discusses, hot-spots, malevolent actors, animosities, frictions and fallacies. They also shine a light on his favourite cocktail and top sporting event! The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube

Today we welcome one of the Middle East’s most successful angel investors and venture capitalists, listed in 'FORBES 100 Most Powerful Business Women 2025'. Noor Sweid explains her journey, from early career in management consultancy and relocating to Dubai, followed by growing and listing a business on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ Dubai in 2008 (Depa), through to establishing her VC business, Global Ventures, in 2018. She sets the scene for the investing dynamics of MENA (Middle East North Africa), where the domestic market comprises 450 million people, half of whom are below 30 years old. Noor explains both the geographic and industry opportunities, why she established Global Ventures, and the priorities in their investment process. From fintech, agritech, consumer goods and solving the most pressing medical challenges, she details their approach, selection criteria, and the characteristics they look for. She explains how they prioritise, how much they become involved in their investee companies, what they look for in “winning entrepreneurs” and why they believe their success rate can be higher than typical industry norms. Subscribe to stay up to date with our range of fascinating interviews, featuring some of the biggest names in global finance and business! The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by Schroders, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG. Sign up to our Newsletter | Follow us on LinkedIn | Watch on YouTube