Evelyn Partners' Park weighs up how to access private markets beyond investment trusts

'We want to be part of the debate'

Evelyn Partners’ chief asset management officer Edward Park is considering how the wealth manager can allocate client capital to private assets beyond the investment trust structure.

Park, who joined the firm back in April after 15 years at Brooks Macdonald, acknowledged the "compelling" discounts on offer in the investment trust sector, but noted that accessing illiquid asset classes through these vehicles can be challenging in the long-term.  Unlike open-ended funds that trade at net asset value, the share price of a closed-ended vehicle may not accurately reflect the underlying value of the assets and investors have to buy at a premium or sell at a discount, which can be volatile.  "Infrastructure, commercial property, private equity to a degree as well, have a...