Events are no longer a distant past… 

As we turn the tide and feel a sense of normality back in the air, we look forward to being able to socialise again with our institutional and private clients.

We see a busy calendar ahead, firstly as we refresh our partnership with Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. Members of DOSC can look forward to plenty more unique events in 2021, as we look to raise the bar higher than we set at the beginning of the year. 

With Novus announced last year at the Abu Dhabi F1, we had to push the launch back. However, we are pleased to announce that access to Novus will be available to our private clients in Q2 of 2021. 

Novus by Berkeley Assets is a unique membership division that is the entry point to a world of incredible experiences. This unique platform allows us to evolve further, ensuring that we can continue providing an elite service to all those who wish to experience the Berkeley Assets brand. 

Our events team has already begun planning for our first bi-annual event. As we stride into the new year, keep an eye out for your invitation and more information. 

Global Markets Update

Global indices have pushed higher in recent months, with US major indexes such as the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new records amid; positive COVID-19 vaccine developments, fiscal stimulus hopes from Central Banks, and US government certainty. Individual stocks such as Eastman Kodak (KODK) soared 70% in pre-market trading, whilst Tesla (TSLA) has seen 45% gains over the past 3 months.

However, signs of the US economy becoming turbulent are showing stronger signs as the labour market nears the weakest of the year with unemployment rates increasing across all industries. In addition to this, global GDP suffers its worst decline in history whilst Total Public Debt continues to rise and totals near $27T.

Looking into 2021, there are some alarming warning signs which could dampen the equity markets. Vaccines could fail to halt the pandemic, stimulus hopes could be lost, and not to mention increasing the peak marginal US corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% which would slash earnings by about 10%, and could well send the stock market into a more bearish environment.

FCA placement advisory business update

Berkeley Assets has launched its UK based placement advisory business and is expected to have its Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) authorisation granted in H1 2021. This will serve to introduce institutional investors to Private Equity deals on behalf of Berkeley Assets.

This will allow Berkeley Assets to provide introductory relationships for institutional clients and UHNWIs to funds and assets that potentially meet their criteria. This authorisation will serve as a benchmark to the historical and continuing ethical nature in which Berkeley Assets has and will continue to operate.

As our institutional business has grown substantially, our recruitment for this year and going forward will be focused on institutional grade Associates, that will work across both institutional and private client departments. With the evolution of the digital age and ability to cross-compare capital placement opportunities across the globe, clients have become shrewder over the last decade. This calibre of Associate, will ensure that ever-increasing client needs are met.