Specialist private client investment business Connection Capital has tapped Abrdn for its alternative funds team.
Anas Afzal has joined the firm as a fund associate as it sees increased appetite from private investors for access to alternative fund strategies.
Afzal (pictured) will work alongside Connection Capital head of funds Lorna Robertson to find specialist fund managers for the company’s portfolio which spans strategies from private credit to venture capital.
So far this year, Connection Capital’s investment team has made investments on behalf of clients into funds managed by 17Capital, SCIO Capital, Kestrel Partners and Permira Credit and venture strategies from Hambro Perks, IQ Capital and DN Capital.
Afzal was previously a portfolio analyst on Abrdn’s fixed income team. Prior to that he worked as a data scientist at a fintech start-up.
Robertson said: “I am delighted Anas has joined the business. Connection Capital prides itself on helping private investors access specialist funds and strategies they would otherwise be unable to.
“His appointment means we will be able to increase our offering and the breadth of strategies we can provide for those seeking diversification from public markets and targeting the superior returns which alternative fund strategies can deliver.”
Afzal said: “Investment in private markets is at an all-time high and I am looking forward to sourcing and assessing exceptional fund opportunities for our private investor clients that provide something different from the crowd, whether that is strategy, execution or investment process.”
