The Rise and Rise of Private Credit
Mayer Brown | Fitch Ratings
On 9 September 2025, Mayer Brown, in collaboration with Fitch Ratings, proudly hosted The Rise and Rise of Private Credit in London - a dynamic event where our partners Andy Kolacki, Kiel Bowen, Neil Hamilton and Stuart Brinkworth joined senior analysts from Fitch Ratings and other industry experts for a series of engaging panel discussions on the private credit market.
Key takeaways from the conference:
- Private Credit on the Rise: Europe’s private credit market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with record levels of assets under management and deal activity. Investors are increasingly turning to private credit for its attractive risk-adjusted returns and portfolio diversification.
- Expanding Horizons: The market is rapidly evolving beyond traditional direct lending, with new opportunities emerging in asset-backed finance, infrastructure, real estate, and innovative fund finance solutions. This diversification is opening the door to a broader range of investors and deal structures.
- Surging Demand: Institutional investors—such as insurers, pension funds, and family offices—are ramping up allocations to private credit. At the same time, new products are making the asset class more accessible to retail investors, fuelling further growth.
- Collaboration and Scale: Strategic partnerships between banks and private credit funds are enabling larger, more complex transactions and expanding access to capital. This collaborative approach is reshaping the market and creating new opportunities for all participants.
- Regulatory Momentum: Regulatory reforms across Europe are driving greater transparency and risk management, while also unlocking new sources of capital. Staying ahead of these changes is critical for market participants.
- Mayer Brown: Your Trusted Partner: As a leading advisor in private credit, Mayer Brown is at the forefront of these market developments. Our team helps clients navigate regulatory complexity, structure innovative transactions, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. If you’re looking to grow, diversify, or enter the private credit market, reach out to Mayer Brown to see how we can help you succeed.
Sincere thanks go to our speakers for their valuable contributions, and to everyone else who joined us.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact the London Events team.
Agenda
- 1:00 p.m.
Registration and Welcome
- 1:40 p.m.
Economic and Credit Backdrop: The Roller Coaster Year Continues
Alex Griffiths, Head of Corporate Ratings EMEA (Fitch Ratings) - 2:05 p.m.
Converging Currents: Private Credit, Regulation and Institutional Finance
Neil Hamilton, Partner (Mayer Brown)
Monsur Hussain, Head of Markets Research (Fitch Ratings) - 2:40 p.m.
Drivers of Capital in Private Credit
Andy Kolacki, Partner (Mayer Brown) - 3:35 p.m.
TRACK I: Exploring Opportunities and Challenges in Direct Lending: Navigating the Evolving Landscape
Moderated by Pablo Mazzini, Head of EMEA TMT & Services and European Leveraged Finance (Fitch Ratings)
Panel
- Matt Theodorakis, Partner and Co-Head of European Direct Lending (Ares Credit Group)
- Stuart Brinkworth, Partner (Mayer Brown)
- Dominic Ashcroft, Managing Director and Head of European Private Credit Origination (Blackstone Credit and Insurance)
- Vivio Berardi, Head of Capital Markets (Oakley Capital)
- 3:35 p.m.
TRACK II: Powering Tomorrow: Financing Data Centers
Moderated by Scott Zuchiorski, Global Group Head of Infrastructure and Project Finance (Fitch Ratings)
Panel
- Euan Gatfield, CMBS - EMEA Managing Director (Fitch Ratings)
- Philip Green, Managing Director, Head of Growth Infrastructure Finance (SMBC)
- Joseph Taylor, Managing Director and Head of Europe (Apterra Infrastructure Capital)
- Gordon Beck, Managing Director, Head of Corporate & Sustainable Securitisation EMEA (Barclays)
- 4:25 p.m.
TRACK I: Fund Financing Solutions: The Rise of Non-Bank Lenders
Moderated by Greg Fayvilevich, Global Head of Fund & Asset Management (Fitch Ratings)
Panel
- Kiel Bowen, Partner, Global Co-Head of Lending (Mayer Brown)
- Slade Spalding, Founding Partner (NLC)
- 4:25 p.m.
TRACK II: The Intersection of Asset-Backed Finance and Private Credit
Moderated by Susanne Matern, EMEA Head Structured Finance (Fitch Ratings)
Panel
- Francesco Dissera, Head of RSS Origination (Pemberton)
- Steven Cappleman, Principal, Asset Backed Finance (Apollo Management International LLP)
- 5:15 p.m.
Fireside Chat with:
Eric Capp, Global Head of Origination & Co-Head of Direct Lending at Pemberton.
Moderated by Jeremy Carter, Global Group Head for Corporates, Infrastructure & Project Finance (Fitch Ratings). - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception
