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How to harness the real economy with private assets
Thierry Célestin, Head of Private Assets Client Services at Lombard Odier
Article published in Le Temps on 10 July 2025
In times of heightened volatility, investors often seek diversification and resilience – here, private assets can play a vital role. Regarded as the giants of the real economy, private assets represent a strategic pillar of well-constructed portfolios. While the asset class has long been associated with strong growth and superior returns, it is now entering a transition phase that demands greater selectivity, rigour and discernment.
Private assets offer a long-term investment approach less exposed to the volatility and noise of regulated markets, along with privileged access to growth areas such as AI
That was the message at a conference held recently to highlight the importance of private assets and their strategic role in shaping the future of portfolio allocations. As leading investors, CEOs, fund managers and wealth management experts gathered, several key themes emerged, with diversification deemed essential to enhancing portfolio resilience in an increasingly volatile environment.
Private assets offer a long-term investment approach less exposed to the volatility and noise of regulated markets, along with privileged access to growth areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the clean energy transition and digital infrastructure. They allow investors to build wealth on the basis of systemic economic shifts, rather than short-term market trends. However, delegates heard that while private assets present attractive opportunities, they are no panacea. Success requires disciplined asset selection and thorough due diligence.
Thierry Célestin, Head of Private Assets Client Services at Lombard Odier, began by highlighting the essential role of private assets in offering diversification and access to the real economy. He also noted that the large majority – 86% – of the economy consists of unlisted assets1.
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Despite unfavourable performance when compared with listed equities on the S&P 500 over the past two years, he explained that private equity has significantly enhanced portfolio returns over the long term.
With a growing number of large companies – particularly in the tech sector – remaining private for longer, much of the value creation is now taking place while firms are still unlisted
He also spoke of a paradigm shift in the market, with a growing number of large companies – particularly in the tech sector – remaining private for longer, and much of the value creation now taking place while firms are still unlisted, prior to any potential initial public offering (IPO).
He concluded with a caveat, however. While convinced that ample growth opportunities still lie ahead, he explained that many private equity managers are currently contending with a large inventory of companies acquired at high valuations, which must still mature before being exited.
From stagnation to recovery
Across the conference, another key theme emerged – the potential for recovery. Delegates heard that, after three years of stagnation, expectations for IPOs are improving within the venture capital and growth equity segments, and that previous recovery phases have historically generated strong performance.
This may be helped by the emergence of evergreen funds and so-called ‘semi-liquid’ vehicles, which reflect a desire to broaden access to private assets. However, the conference panel explained, this also raises questions around liquidity and the alignment between product structures and the nature of the underlying assets.
Myriad opportunities may emerge as part this recovery. Real estate prospects are improving, despite a recent slowdown in financing, and transaction volumes have begun to recover, driven by supply shortages and renewed demand in certain segments.
Though private infrastructure fundraising has stalled for the first time in over a decade, the asset class remains resilient, underpinned by powerful structural trends. Energy (renewables in particular) is leading the way, propelled by rising demand from digital technologies, sustainability targets, and energy security concerns. Against a backdrop of global conflict, many countries appear to be reshoring their energy production. Meanwhile, digital infrastructure continues to gain market share, driven by the need to support technological expansion, notably in AI and cloud applications.
AI, in particular, is a major growth driver, attracting investment across a wide range of sectors including healthcare and insurance
AI – a major growth driver
The conference identified AI, in particular, as a major growth driver, attracting investment across a wide range of sectors including healthcare and insurance. While it offers significant investment opportunities, AI also brings complexity. To scale effectively, founders need reliable partners with the right expertise – capital alone will be insufficient, the panel noted.
For investors, the drivers of performance are evolving. In this post-super-cycle environment it is no longer simply a question of gaining access to the right sectors, but of identifying the underlying trends reshaping business models – such as digital adoption, demographic transition as society ages, and the rise of AI – and selecting managers capable of supporting these transformations. Valuations are also normalising, and fundraising is becoming increasingly concentrated among the strongest players, in a wave of industry consolidation reminiscent of post-dotcom and post-2008 periods.
AI is also becoming increasingly relevant when it comes to sustainable investing. A representative from Clarity AI – a private sustainability technology firm using AI to help investors assess the social and environmental impact of their decisions – revealed that their platform increases data processing speed by 40% while achieving over 99% accuracy. Positioned at the intersection of AI and sustainability, Clarity AI’s success demonstrates that wider commercial and investment opportunities are emerging. Capital continues to flow into innovative technologies and into the shift by traditional businesses towards more sustainable models.
A modern investment strategy
Continuing their focus on innovation and the sustainability transition, the panel explained that sustainability has two key dimensions: alignment – meaning companies that accelerate the transition, avoid harm, and meet social and governance standards – and financial performance.
The panel noted that those firms leading the transition are expected to deliver the strongest returns, as they tap into new and shifting sources of performance. For investors, the goal is to seek both a positive impact in the real world and an attractive return, by applying three fundamental criteria when assessing investment opportunities: solutions must accelerate the sustainability transition; they must be competitively priced; and they must match or outperform existing technologies.
the panel underlined the growing strategic importance of private assets as a core element of a modern investment strategy
As the conference drew to a close, the panel underlined the growing strategic importance of private assets as a core element of a modern investment strategy. While private assets are not a one-size-fits-all solution, for patient and well-informed investors with rigorous selection processes, they remain a powerful way to harness the opportunities arising from today’s global economic transformation – provided the risks, time horizons and cycles are well understood.
This is a marketing communication issued by Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd (hereinafter “Lombard Odier”).
It is not intended for distribution, publication, or use in any jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, or use would be unlawful, nor is it aimed at any person or entity to whom it would be unlawful to address such a marketing communication.
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