Escala Partners leans into alts with investment platform

The platform is designed to streamline operations and enhance the investment experience and set-up in collaboration with One Investment Group, a fund management group specialising in responsible entity services and fund administration.

It will offer bespoke solutions to optimise operational workflows, including document processing, onboarding, subscriptions, performance reporting, tax management, investment calls and distributions processing.

Having end-to-end capability will provide a single integrated system that will enhance the workflow of Escala’s chief investment officer, wealth advisers and operational staff, it said. This includes education and research, strategy, customisation and onboarding, followed by performance reporting, tax management and capital distributions in the post-investment period.

“The wealth management industry is undergoing a pivotal transformation, embracing alternative and private market investments at an increasing pace,” Escala Partners co-CEO Torty Howard said.

“We continue to see growth in this space as family offices and high-net-worth investors look to allocate more capital to alternatives to enhance diversification, hedge against inflation and achieve superior returns. At the same time, technological advancements are making these investments more accessible, efficient and customisable.”

Citing research that puts the total value of assets in alternatives at more than $16 trillion, the firm said alternatives have also been growing in popularity with its own clients, who view them as an integral part of a sophisticated investment portfolio, particularly for private equity and private credit, as well as uncorrelated strategies.

Escala head of advisory Ben James added that the firm’s clients are increasingly looking beyond “traditional asset classes”.

“This capability provides them with a seamless and transparent investment experience, offering access to high-quality alternative investments with greater ease, efficiency and clarity,” James said.

“By reducing operational friction and enhancing customisation, we are empowering our clients to diversify their portfolios in a way that aligns with their long-term financial goals.”

He also pointed to private markets’ low correlation to traditional asset classes as fuelling their expansion.

“Private markets are now an essential source of capital for innovation and economic activity worldwide, creating long-term tailwinds for investment in this space,” James said.

“As the number of publicly listed companies declines globally, the opportunity set in private markets continues to expand. Private investments are no longer just a niche allocation; they are becoming an integral part of sophisticated investment portfolios.”