How a collaborative network of asset owners and managers creates an IQ multiplier for private market returns.
Wafra was founded in 1985 as a conduit for sourcing and executing investment activity in the US for its owner PIFSS, the public pension system of Kuwait.
But about a decade ago, its public posture, innovative spirit, and expanding investment capabilities began to fully embody the Arabic meaning of Wafra - abundance.
Adel Alderbas, Wafra’s CIO, joined me to talk about the evolution of the firm from a narrow purpose beachhead for the Gulf sovereign wealth fund towards a more coordinated ecosystem of LPs and GPs.
We explored its current offering across strategic partnerships, real assets and real estate and how its unique model creates unprecedented alignment between managers and asset owners.
Topics Covered:
Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association
CAIA Association is a global network of forward-thinking investment professionals, redefining the future of capital allocation in a world where traditional and alternative investments are converging at an unprecedented pace. United by a commitment to improving investment outcomes, we lead with authority, educate to inspire, and connect people who turn insight into action. CAIA Association creates dynamic and captivating learning experiences designed to engage investment professionals at every level. Its programs – the CAIA Charter and the CAIA.nxt™ platform – offer critical levels of access to a comprehensive curriculum that equips the investment community with the skills and knowledge needed to build modern portfolios. CAIA Association is a global member-driven community of more than 14,000 professionals, united by a shared commitment to improving investment outcomes and building a more aligned, principled capital market system.
Chief Investment Officer at Wafra
Adel A. Alderbas is the Chief Investment Officer and serves on Wafra’s Management Committee and Board of Directors. Mr. Alderbas oversees the firm’s investment activities across mandates. He leads investments in strategic partnerships across both next-generation and established asset management businesses, real assets & infrastructure, and real estate. Mr. Alderbas joined Wafra in 2007 and currently serves on the boards of Ardian, Ascension FBO, Beyond Data Centers, and Spotless Brands. He is President of Capital Constellation and a Senior Advisor to DigitalBridge. Mr. Alderbas earned a BS with honors from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
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