Overview
Connaught Fund Management is a London-based placement agent and fundraising advisory firm that has been active in the alternative investment space for over a decade. The firm advises fund managers on capital raising across hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure strategies.
Connaught’s strength lies in its European and Middle Eastern LP relationships. The firm has built a network of institutional investors including pension funds, insurance companies, family offices, and sovereign wealth entities across the UK, Continental Europe, and the Gulf Cooperation Council states. This geographic focus makes Connaught a natural partner for managers seeking to build or expand their European and Middle Eastern investor base.
The team comprises professionals with backgrounds in institutional sales, fund management, and investment banking. Connaught’s relatively lean organizational structure allows for a hands-on, senior-led approach to each mandate. GPs working with Connaught typically have direct access to the firm’s most experienced professionals throughout the fundraising process.
Connaught has historically been particularly active in hedge fund placement, an area where many placement agents have limited capabilities. As the alternatives landscape has evolved, the firm has expanded its capabilities into private equity, credit, and real assets strategies to reflect the broader shift in institutional allocations toward illiquid alternatives.
Fundraising Capabilities
Connaught provides end-to-end fundraising advisory services, from pre-marketing strategy and materials development through LP targeting, roadshow coordination, and closing support. The firm’s approach emphasizes thorough preparation and targeted distribution rather than broad-based marketing.
The firm’s LP network is concentrated in Europe and the Middle East, with growing coverage in Asia-Pacific. Connaught maintains relationships with UK local government pension schemes, Nordic pension funds, Swiss institutional investors, German insurance companies, and Gulf-based sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities. For non-European managers looking to access these investor segments, Connaught offers regional expertise and established relationships.
In hedge fund placement, Connaught covers both liquid and illiquid strategies, including long-short equity, global macro, credit, and multi-strategy mandates. The firm’s understanding of hedge fund structures, terms, and investor preferences is a differentiator in this segment.
For private equity and credit fundraises, Connaught works with managers across the size spectrum, from mid-market vehicles raising $200 million to larger institutional funds. The firm’s willingness to engage with emerging managers and smaller fundraises makes them accessible to GPs who may not meet the minimum thresholds of larger placement agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Connaught Fund Management based?
Connaught Fund Management is headquartered in London. The firm focuses on European, Middle Eastern, and Asian LP relationships, with particular strength in the UK and Continental European institutional investor community. Their London base positions them well for GPs seeking European capital.
What strategies does Connaught place?
Connaught places capital across hedge funds, private equity, private credit, real estate, and infrastructure strategies. The firm has historically been active in hedge fund placement and has expanded into illiquid alternative strategies as institutional allocations have shifted toward private markets.
Does Connaught work with emerging managers?
Connaught has experience working with emerging and mid-sized managers, particularly those with a differentiated strategy and credible institutional pedigree. The firm's willingness to work with smaller mandates relative to the large bank-affiliated platforms makes them an accessible option for managers in the $200 million to $1 billion fundraise range.
