The move follows strong growth from APAC; Shaun Thomas appointed to manage the Australian Market
CHICAGO/SYDNEY – March 9, 2023 – Adams Street Partners, LLC, a private markets investment management firm with more than $52 billion of assets under management, announced today it has opened an office in Sydney, Australia. The office, located in Quay Quarter Tower, will be managed by Shaun Thomas, newly appointed Principal, Investor Relations, who joined Adams Street in November.
With a superannuation market of approximately AUD3.4 trillion, Australia is the fourth largest pension fund market in the world. It also represents a major wholesale market with a sizeable private wealth and high-net worth segment of clients. Adams Street is favorably positioned to serve this segment by building strong relationships on the ground and introducing its investment professionals and their private markets capabilities to the Australian private markets community.
Sydney is Adams Street’s first location in Australia and fifth in the Asia Pacific region, joining Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, and Beijing. Adams Street now operates 12 offices globally.
The Sydney office will provide the local private markets community with seamless access to Adams Street’s investment professionals and their expertise in private markets investment strategies covering primaries, secondaries, co-investments, growth equity, and private credit.
“Institutional investors in Australia are increasingly focused on allocating to private markets,” said Ben Hart, Partner & Head of Investor Relations (Asia) at Adams Street. “We are seeing considerable demand from the Australian private markets community for solutions, including custom accounts and evergreen structured products. Shaun’s unique experience and on-ground-access will allow us to better serve this growing market by strengthening our ties with existing clients and the Australian private markets community as a whole, helping us to continue to expand our existing relationships and create new ones as well.”
Shaun, who will report to Ben, brings nearly 20 years of experience in financial services and product distribution to Adams Street. Shaun was previously a Vice President at Partners Group Australia, where he managed the distribution of Partners Group private markets strategies for the private wealth, family office and wholesale market with a focus on both evergreen and closed-ended offerings. His prior experience includes seven years at Grant Samuel Funds Management where he was Head of Research and Strategic Accounts.
Shaun will continue to leverage his relationships in the wholesale market, whilst supporting institutional clients and consultant relationships across both Australia and New Zealand. He will also work closely with clients and aid in the development and monitoring of their private equity programs.
“The Adams Street platform is built upon 50 years of knowledge and relationships, and I look forward to developing and maintaining institutional client and consultant relationships in Australia as we continue to consolidate our presence in this market,” said Shaun Thomas, Principal, Investor Relations.
About Adams Street Partners
Adams Street Partners is a global private markets investment manager with investments in more than 30 countries across five continents. The firm is 100% employee-owned and has over $52 billion in assets under management. Adams Street strives to generate actionable investment insights across market cycles by drawing on 50 years of private markets experience, proprietary intelligence, and trusted relationships. Adams Street has offices in Austin, Beijing, Boston, Chicago, London, Menlo Park, Munich, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. Visit www.adamsstreetpartners.com
Adams Street Partners, LLC is a limited liability company formed in Delaware; Australian Registered Body Number 665 655 738
Media Inquiries:
Charlie Drayton
0432 724 165 mobile
charlie.drayton@secnewgate.com.au
