Problem / Context

Private markets offer opportunity, but also opacity, complexity, and misaligned incentives when guidance is tied to product distribution.

Valuations are infrequent and often self-reported. Fees, carry, liquidity rights and reporting vary widely between managers, and capital is typically committed for many years. Many families come across these opportunities through a single relationship, such as a bank, a sponsor or a personal contact, and have no separate view to test them against. Over time, holdings accumulate across entities and managers, and nobody sees the combined exposure, liquidity needs or governance gaps.

What We Do

We provide analysis and structuring support on alternative and private investments, working alongside the family's own legal, tax and investment advisers. We bring structure and clarity to opportunities and existing holdings.

• Private equity and private credit: understanding fund structures, terms, fees and carry, and how private market exposure sits within the wider family balance sheet

• Co-investments and direct opportunities: reviewing the structure of an opportunity, the alignment of interests and the key risks, and coordinating due diligence with specialists

• Structure and governance review: how investments are held across entities, investor rights, reporting, decision-making and exit provisions

• Risk, concentration, and liquidity analysis: exposure across managers, vintages, sectors and geographies, and the ability to meet capital calls and cash needs

• Alignment with long-term family objectives: time horizon, generational priorities and the family's appetite for illiquidity

How Clients Use This

Families use our support to understand new opportunities, organise their portfolio and test the structure of complex or high-conviction investments.

Typical situations include:

• A first or growing allocation to private markets, where the family wants a clear framework before committing

• An opportunity introduced by a bank, manager or personal contact, where the family wants the structure and risks examined

• A direct investment in an operating business or asset, where ownership structure and governance need testing

• A review of existing private holdings to understand concentration, liquidity and total exposure

• Preparing for capital calls, distributions or a change in family circumstances, such as a generational transfer or relocation

Why Syracuse Advisers

We are not tied to any product provider. Our work is objective and aligned with the client's interests.

We focus on clarity, discretion and durability. Every structure and review is designed to remain useful over the long term, not just at the point of investment. We work as an extension of the family's own team, bringing in specialist legal, tax and sector expertise where needed. Decisions on what to invest in stay with the family and their regulated advisers.

For general information only; not investment advice, a financial promotion or an offer to buy or sell any asset. Syracuse Advisers Limited is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Private and alternative investments are illiquid and carry a risk of total loss. See our Terms & Conditions.