Join us at LPGP Connect in London

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Date: 24th June 2025
Location: Park Plaza Victoria, London

LPGP Connect CFO/COO Conference in London is the must-attend annual forum for senior finance and operations professionals across the global private equity ecosystem.

This exclusive gathering connects over 70 industry-leading speakers, solution providers, and attracts C-level executives—including CFOs, COOs, Finance Directors, and Risk and Compliance professionals.

We’re excited to be sponsoring this key event in the private capital funds diary to discuss emerging trends, strategies for navigating evolving market demands, and approaches to achieving operational excellence while strengthening relationships.

Learn more

About our co-sponsor: Equipped AI

This year, we’re sponsoring together with our ‘sister’ company, Equipped AI, that provides leading alternative investment managers with next generation software to drive outperformance through superior commercial insights. Their flagship SAAS product, Minerva, was developed by investors for investors. They combine data science and technology to transform data into actionable information within a flexible software intelligence platform. This provides a single source of truth across the organisation, enabling advanced analytics, bespoke dashboards, automated reporting, workflows, valuations and more.

Come and say hello

We’re looking forward to joining discussions that will address emerging trends, strategies for navigating evolving market demands, and approaches to achieving operational excellence while strengthening relationships.

Come and meet us at our stand at the event. In attendance we have Nick McHardy, Belasko’s head of funds, and James Ferguson, Equipped AI’s Commercial Director, and they look forward to meeting you there and sharing insights.

           

Slow but steady progress: reflections from the BVCA’s International Women’s Day event

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Last Thursday, 6 March, the BVCA hosted its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: International Women’s Day event in London, where Alice Heald, head of marketing, joined industry leaders to discuss the latest progress in gender diversity within private equity and venture capital. The event that highlighted recent findings from the BVCA’s Diversity & Inclusion Report and explored key themes around mentorship, role models, and strategic career development for women in the industry.

Encouraging progress in representation

According to the BVCA report[1], women now make up 27% of investment professionals in PE and VC firms in the UK, up from 24% in 2023. Since the BVCA’s first study in 2018, the industry has seen consistent, albeit slow, progress in gender diversity.

  • Senior and mid-level representation: Women in senior investment roles have risen to 15%, while mid-level representation has increased to 17%, both seeing a 3-percentage point rise.
  • VC vs. PE: Venture capital firms continue to show stronger female representation, with 10% more senior and mid-level women compared to private equity firms.

The power of role models and mentorship

A recurring theme throughout the event was the impact of mentorship and sponsorship in supporting women’s career development. Industry veterans shared insights on career growth, risk-taking, and the importance of paying it forward.

Key takeaways:
  • Take risks and avoid over-planning: Women should be encouraged to take on new challenges without over-planning their careers, a personality trait often seen in women that can sometimes hold us back.
  • Building strategic networks: It’s important to think beyond immediate job roles and proactively seek opportunities to upskill, show initiative and volunteer, and gain visibility.
  • The role of sponsorship vs. mentorship: Organic sponsorship—where senior colleagues naturally champion junior talent—was highlighted as a critical factor in career progression. Unlike mentorship, which often focuses on guidance and advice, sponsorship involves actively advocating for someone’s career advancement. Sponsors open doors, provide visibility, and push for high-potential individuals to take on leadership roles.
  • Allyship and industry-wide change: Meaningful change requires the engagement of men in the industry, given that they still make up the majority. We can’t do it alone.
  • The advantage of standing out: While being a minority in the industry can be challenging, it also presents an opportunity to be memorable. Women should leverage this visibility to advance their careers.
  • Paying it forward: Senior female leaders highlighted the importance of investing in the next generation by mentoring, sponsoring, and creating opportunities for emerging talent. This culture of ‘paying it forward’ helps build a sustainable pipeline of female leaders in the industry. The industry must work collectively to showcase the opportunities available and support female talent at every stage.

Final thoughts

The event reaffirmed that while progress is being made, there is still much work to do. Women continue to face unique challenges in the financial services industry as a whole, but through strong role models, mentorship, and strategic risk-taking, the path to leadership is becoming clearer.

For firms looking to drive change, the message was clear: support must come from the top down, and a proactive approach to sponsorship, networking, and inclusion will be key to shaping a more diverse and equitable future in the private market sector.

[1] https://www.bvca.co.uk/static/b0edfc87-8f4f-45be-902f33bdadb14eee/Diversity-in-UK-Private-Equity-and-Venture-Capital-2025-Report.pdf

Proud to be sponsoring the BVCA Tax Policy conference 2024

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Belasko is proud to sponsor the BVCA Tax Policy Conference on Tuesday 19 November in London. This is a key event in the funds diary, attracting senior tax, legal, and regulatory experts from the private equity and venture capital sectors. The conference will delve into the latest developments and policies shaping the private markets industry, providing essential updates on UK and international tax law, legal frameworks, and regulations that impact fund structuring, transactions, and compliance.

Topics covered will include:

– The latest UK tax policies affecting private markets
– Cross-border tax and regulatory challenges
– Evolving legal frameworks for fund management and investment structures
– Compliance updates and best practices

Our team attending are:

(ross.youngs@belasko.com)
(nick.mchardy@belasko.com)
(paul.lawrence@belasko.com)
(greg.mckenzie@belasko.com)
(james.ferguson@equipped.ai)
(alice.heald@belasko.com)

We look forward to engaging with industry peers. If you’re attending, get in touch to meet with our team, or visit us at our stand at the event.

Learn more about the conference here: https://www.bvca.co.uk/Calendar/Event-Details/DateId/2712.

Belasko proud to sponsor the BVCA Annual Summit 2024

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We’re delighted to be sponsoring the BVCA Annual Summit, taking place in London on the 11-12 September 2024.

The Summit 2024 continues to be the must-attend event for the private capital community, attracting over 1000 delegates ranging from private capital fund managers, institutional investors, pension funds and family offices.

The Summit this year will explore the strategies and trends transforming our industry, covering the latest thinking on the geopolitical economy, cutting-edge technology, diversity, ESG and more. It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet and network with key industry professionals and peers.

If you plan to attend the event and would like to meet our team, get in touch with our Chief Commercial Officer, Ross Youngs, to set up a meeting.

Contact Ross via email: ross.youngs@belasko.com.

Find out more about the conference here: https://www.bvca.co.uk/Calendar/Event-Details/DateId/2650

Key takeaways from the LPGP CFO/COO Private Debt Summit

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Aligned with our core strategy of supporting private debt managers, Belasko attended the 6th Annual LPGP CFO/COO Private Debt Summit yesterday. Ross Youngs, Chief Commercial Officer, shares key takeaways from the event:

The alpha in data

  • Making sense of data remains a key concern for both LPs and GPs. The panellists emphasised that data is only valuable when you know the specific questions you want to answer and can tell a coherent story with the results. Having a clear purpose for data analysis is crucial.
  • The current methodologies for data aggregation and interpretation are fragmented with early user case Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies are emerging. Developing a fully integrated data chain that collates and integrates information from multiple sources is essential for streamlined operations and better decision-making.

Cybersecurity

  • As the debt environment becomes increasingly connected, the threat of cyberattacks has risen. The panellists agreed that outsourcing cybersecurity strategies is often preferred due to the complexity of the threat landscape. Reliance on outsourced providers to deliver comprehensive controls and reporting is essential to provide comfort for both GPs and LPs. Furthermore, these outsourced providers should be prepared for deeper levels of due diligence to ensure robust protection.

Artificial Intelligence

Despite advancements in AI, maintaining close relationships with portfolio companies remains paramount. Regular, at least quarterly, communications are essential. However, there are several areas where AI can be effectively deployed:

  • Power Automate: automating everyday tasks to reduce resource consumption on repetitive tasks.
  • Portfolio Monitoring: AI-based tools can scrape and assimilate data, producing valuable analytics such as Equipped AI: Equipped Intro – Private Debt demo
  • AI-powered RFP response tools, like Loopio, can improve the speed of drafting and reviewing proposals.
  • Microsoft Co-Pilot providing a virtual assistant to help prioritise your day.
  • AI can assist in reviewing and drafting legal documents, streamlining the process.
  • Opportunities to integrate AI tools, like ChatGPT, with current software solutions are on the rise, enhancing overall productivity.

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)

  • Sustainability implies a company’s ability to last for the long-term. The integration of standardised ESG criteria into loan reporting can help recipients determine future performance indicators.
  • This integration ensures that sustainability considerations are consistently factored into financial evaluations, promoting long-term resilience and responsible investment practices.

At Belasko, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of industry developments and supporting private debt managers with cutting-edge fund and loan administration solutions, underpinned by best-in-class technology and our expertise. If you’d like to find out more about how we help private debt fund managers, get in touch with Ross Youngs (ross.youngs@belasko.com).

Belasko sponsors BVCA Accelerate conference

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Belasko is proud to sponsor the BVCA Accelerate conference, taking place across 21-22 May 2024.

The two-day conference will cover key industry topics, including angel investors, venture and growth equity.

With the opportunity to connect with a wide range of other industry professionals, the conference promises two days of sessions covering the latest thinking on geopolitical economy and politics, cutting-edge technology, diversity, ESG, and more.

If you plan to attend the event and would like to meet our team, get in touch with our Group Commercial Director, Ross Youngs, to set up a meeting.

Contact Ross via email: ross.youngs@belasko.com.

Find out more about the conference here: https://www.bvca.co.uk/Calendar/Event-Details/DateId/2649

Belasko sponsors the Guernsey Funds Forum 2024

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Belasko is thrilled to be an exhibition sponsor for the Guernsey Funds Forum, taking place on 15 May 2024.

The annual event, hosted by Guernsey Finance, will cover crucial industry topics such as emerging technologies, sustainability, health assets and the future of funds. The conference will also host keynote speaker Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who was once named by Guinness World Records as the ‘world’s greatest living explorer’, to give the closing speech.

This is a key event in the diary for all those in the financial services industry and we look forward to supporting it for another year.

If you plan to attend the event and would like to meet our team, get in touch with our Group Commercial Director, Ross Youngs, to set up a meeting.

Contact Ross via email: ross.youngs@belasko.com.

Find out more about the event here: https://www.guernseyfinance.com/events/2024/guernsey-funds-forum-2024/

100 Women Who Care raised more than £7,000 for local charities

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Local community crowdfunding charity, 100 Women Who Care Guernsey, raised £5,530 for three local charities at its fifth fundraising event. As the event sponsor, Belasko donated an additional £1,500 to the charities, to bring the total amount raised to £7,030.  

The event took place on Thursday 15th June and was attended by more than 50 local women in business and the third sector. The organising committee choose charities who have a smaller profile in the island. This event hosted Business Beats Cancer who received £500, Guernsey Community Savings who received £1,530, and Le Vois PTFA who received £3,500. 

At the event, each participant is asked to donate £100 into a pool, and following the charity’s presentations, individuals choose where their contribution is made. Belasko’s sponsorship allows the total amount of the participants’ donations to be shared between the charities, without deduction for expenses, in proportion to their selected charities on the evening. Belasko also donated an additional £500 to each charity.  

Patricia White, Director of 100 Women Who Care Guernsey, said: ‘We are so pleased to have hosted another successful event in support of three fantastic local charities. Being able to bring together a group of women to raise money for valuable local initiatives makes it all worthwhile, and we can’t wait to see how everyone’s generosity will be used in the local community.’ 

Greg McKenzie, Managing Director of Belasko in Guernsey, said: ‘We are thrilled to have sponsored this event and helped to support the three local charities who benefited from the donations. The opportunity for a supportive space for women in Guernsey to network can’t be understated and we’re proud to have played a small part in helping the initiative.’  

Belasko sponsors 100 Women Who Care’s fifth local event

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Community crowdfunding organisation ‘100 Women Who Care’ is returning with its fifth event in Guernsey, thanks to sponsorship from Belasko, on Thursday 15 June at Les Cotils.

The 100 Women Who Care organisation was founded in the US in 2006 and was launched in Guernsey in 2021, modelled from this international framework. The event welcomes 100 women to a unique networking evening and to hear presentations from three local charities.

Each participant is asked to donate £100 into a pool, and following the charity’s presentations, participants choose where their contribution is made. Belasko’s sponsorship allows the total amount of the participants’ donations to be shared between the charities, without deduction for expenses, in proportion to their selected charities on the evening.

Presenting charities are chosen by the organising committee with the specification that they must be Guernsey registered charities, but local charities with a smaller profile are favoured.

Patricia White, Director of 100 Women Who Care Guernsey, said: ‘We are so pleased to return with our fifth local event and provide another opportunity to support local charities. Our aim is to encourage the kindness and giving spirit of women in our community, as well as provide a unique networking space to share professional knowledge and provide support.

‘We hope to welcome another sell-out event allowing a full pot of £10,000 to be donated to three local charities. We want to thank Belasko for supporting our next event, helping our group to give back and ensuring the full donation amount is available to charities.’

Each charity will receive a minimum donation of £500 by participating in the event.

Greg McKenzie, Managing Director of Belasko in Guernsey, said: ‘Belasko is thrilled to support such a valuable event. 100 Women Who Care provides an inclusive networking space and an opportunity to make a massive impact on local charities. We are proud to get involved in this fantastic initiative.’

To register, contact the charity at hello@100womenwhocareguernsey.com. Further information can be found on the 100 Women Who Care Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/100wwcguernsey/.

Belasko sponsors the Guernsey Funds Forum 2023

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Belasko is pleased to share that it will be an exhibitor sponsor of the 2023 Guernsey Funds Forum.

The event, hosted by We Are Guernsey, will take place in London on 11th May. Registration is now open.

This is a key event in the diaries for everyone in the funds and financial services industry, and Belasko is proud to support it.

This year’s theme is ‘The Future of Funds’, and we are set to hear from a host of insightful speakers, including keynote speaker Steve Backshall MBE.

Stay tuned to our LinkedIn where we will share announcements and updates in the lead up to the event. You can find more information about the event here.

If you are interested in attending this event or would like to meet with the team, please contact Ross Youngs at ross.youngs@belasko.com.