Fraud, Fees and Fake Degrees! Where is the Allocation to Alternatives Headed? Albourne’s CEO, John Claisse, Explains their approach, Why Due Diligence Matters, and Where the Investment Flows are Secular, Not Cyclical.

John Claisse explores the evolution of alternative investing, from private markets and hedge funds to AI, digital assets, due diligence and opportunities across Asia.

Albourne has expanded from its genesis in Sussex in 1994, to one of the most recognized global investment advisors in the world of alternatives. It is unusual both as an employee-owned organisation, and because it has adhered to its original vision of advising only and never to manage capital. 

John Claisse frames the alternative industry today. He discusses institutional priorities, the change in allocating behaviour, the secular shift of retail flows into private assets, and what clients want across the alternative assets spectrum. 

He discusses private equity and private credit trends in light of the current malaise, and why he expects further growth in these asset flows in the years ahead.  He weighs some of the investment dilemmas facing allocators, why Hedge Fund interest is strong, why digital assets are being increasingly scrutinised for their potential appeal, and where investment allocations might be headed. 

*Please note that at the 53:00 mark, Simon Sebag Monetfiore's upcoming book is mistakenly titled The Crucible. The correct title is The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East

The Money Maze Podcast is kindly sponsored by J.P. Morgan Asset Management*, IFM Investors, World Gold Council and LSEG.

*During the episode we cite J.P. Morgan Asset Management as Europe’s leading active ETF provider by assets under management. This is sourced from J.P. Morgan Asset management and Bloomberg, data as of 30 March 2026.