Our approach
We leverage our integrated private markets platform to design debt and equity multi-asset solutions that meet a wide variety of client objectives. Our capabilities include a flagship strategy focusing on the climate transition investing in real estate, infrastructure and forestry, and a private debt strategy, targeting attractive risk-adjusted returns through a diversified multi-sector portfolio. Drawing on the expertise of our specialist teams, we focus on sourcing unique opportunities and deploying capital efficiently.
Our scale provides deep market access and strong visibility of off-market transactions across both mainstream and niche sectors. With extensive experience navigating the complexity and risks of private markets, our teams aim to deliver robust risk-adjusted returns for clients.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are fully embedded throughout our investment process, from origination through to development, ongoing asset management and reporting.*
Why invest?
Investors can capture the benefits of a variety of private-market asset classes through a bespoke portfolio design tailored to their specific risk-return requirements and long-term objectives. We also offer multi-asset private market co-mingled funds at scale, giving investors the advantages of diversification and access to a wider range of opportunities within one strategy.
Opportunity‑set driven
Our scale and expertise allow us to source unique investment opportunities across a broad range of private markets, through debt and equity. This helps us build portfolios designed to meet specific client investment objectives.
Efficient deployment
A strong pipeline enables disciplined selectivity and efficient execution on opportunities that meet our underwriting standards.
Investing with purpose
ESG considerations are fully integrated throughout our investment process as we seek to directly invest and partner in best-in-class private markets opportunities and encourage long-term, responsible investment.*
*ESG integration means the integration of ESG factors and consideration of sustainability risk as part of the investment decision making process. This process is applied beyond any specific binding constraints (in the objective or strategy of the fund as detailed in the prospectus or investment management agreement and in accordance with our Baseline Exclusions Policy). The investment manager retains discretion on decision making taking all risks into account, beyond any binding criteria.
Key risks of private markets funds
Investment risk
The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.
Valuation risk
Where funds are invested in real estate / infrastructure, investors may not be able to switch or cash in an investment when they want because real estate / infrastructure may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case, we may defer a request to switch or cash in shares or units. Investors should also bear in mind that the valuation of real estate is generally a matter of valuers’ opinion rather than fact.
Investment insights
Investment thinking that brings together the collective insight of Aviva Investors’ teams from across the globe on the key themes influencing markets.
Views
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q4 2025
17 Feb 2026
Our private markets research team have crunched the Q4 2025 data. They explain how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
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UK low-carbon policy: What to look out for in 2026
27 Jan 2026
Aviva’s Nick Molho looks at this year’s policy priorities and likely developments for the UK’s low-carbon agenda, and reflects on what it means for investors.
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Continued momentum: The outlook for European Infrastructure debt
14 Jan 2026
European infrastructure debt enters 2026 in a healthy position, with no shortage of demand for its diverse range of opportunities. Nonetheless, investors need to be alert to various risks and conduct thorough due diligence, argues Darryl Murphy.
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Cities of the future: What will cities look like in 2050?
8 Jan 2026
Today’s private market investments will shape 2050 cities. We explore what this could look like, and the related challenges and opportunities.
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Boosting low-carbon investment in the UK: 2025 Roadmap Update
11 Dec 2025
In 2024, we outlined our view on the most important public-policy interventions to unlock private investment in the low-carbon economy. In this update, we take stock of policy developments since, and look ahead to 2026 and beyond.
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Purposeful run-on: A credible alternative to buyout
5 Dec 2025
Discover why purposeful run-on is emerging as a credible alternative to buyout for well-funded defined benefit (DB) pension schemes – and how it can unlock long-term value while keeping clients' needs at the centre.
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Beyond buyout: Why DB schemes are reconsidering their endgame
4 Dec 2025
Significant shifts in the defined benefit (DB) pension schemes landscape mean that as schemes mature, trustees and sponsors now face a broader spectrum of strategic choices. We explain why the choice between buyout and run-on is no longer binary.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q3 2025
12 Nov 2025
Having crunched the data, our private markets research team looks at how evolving macro conditions are impacting private debt returns.
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From niche to core: Asset-based finance emerges as a driving force as private debt markets continue to evolve
7 Oct 2025
Asset-based finance is capturing the attention of institutional investors – from pension schemes to insurers – thanks to its diverse risk-return drivers and its growing role as a strategic building block in investors’ portfolios.
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Energy-intensive industries: Unlocking low-carbon investment
16 Sep 2025
Vital industries for UK growth like steel or cement are also energy intensive, and their decarbonisation is essential. We convened a roundtable of experts to discuss barriers and solutions to unlocking low-carbon investment opportunities.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q2 2025
14 Aug 2025
In our latest private markets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
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MegaTRENDs: Why TRENDs matter for investing in private markets
27 Jun 2025
A set of megatrends is reshaping the world, creating new opportunities and risks for investments in private markets.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q1 2025
16 May 2025
In our latest private markets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
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Private debt for DC pensions: The multi-sector opportunity
11 Feb 2025
As the search for better retirement outcomes for the 28 million members of the UK’s defined contribution (DC) pension schemes continues, where are the opportunities for DC investors in private debt and how can they be harnessed?
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Relative value in private markets: Positive but selective
29 Jan 2025
Using proprietary data, our private markets research team compares risk and return across sectors.
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Illiquidity premia in private debt: Q4 2024
27 Jan 2025
In our latest private markets deep dive, our research team crunches the data to see how evolving macroeconomic conditions are reflected in private debt returns.
Article in focus
Seizing the moment: The outlook for real estate debt
Gregor Bamert, Sima Kotecha and Nick Solomon discuss the recovery in real estate debt markets in 2024 and the opportunities emerging.
Private Markets Study
Private Markets Study 2026
In the eighth edition of the study, we tap into the views of 500 institutional investors managing $6.5 trillion in assets across Asia, Europe and North America. Uncovering the key trends, opportunities and barriers investors are navigating in the pursuit of long-term outperformance. Explore how private markets will continue to drive institutional investor allocations in 2026 and beyond.
House View
House View
No one can predict the future. But our quarterly House View sets out the collective wisdom of our investment teams on the current state of global markets – and where they might be heading.
Private markets team
Meet our multi-asset private markets investment team.
Munawer Shafi
Managing Director, Head of Alternative Credit Solutions
Luke Layfield
Head of Portfolio Management, Private Markets
Explore
Private markets
As one of Europe’s largest private markets investment managers, we have the scale to access the full depth and breadth of private markets.
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