In conversation with Jie Gong, Partner, Pantheon
Myron Zhu, Head of Private Markets (Asia), Manulife Investment Management

In this panel, we will explore themes such as the evolving LP-GP dynamics, the rising trend of co-investments, secondaries and continuation funds and the impact of the pandemic on the overall private investment landscape.


We feature Jie Gong, who is a partner at Pantheon and a member of the firm’s Asia Regional Investment Committee and the Global Co-investment Committee. Some of the hot topics we will cover are: What are the short-term and long-term impacts from an LP point of view? Will LPs be more choosy in selecting fund managers, as well as the changing LP-GP dynamics. We will also ask Jie about China’s ongoing scrutiny across technology sectors and its impact on risk capital investors. Will it have an impact on their exposure to China, which is the second-largest market outside of the US for LPs?


We also have Myron Zhu who leads Manulife Investment Management’s private market business in Hong Kong, and is uniquely placed to highlight third party management of Asian co-investments, and how Canada’s largest insurer is broadening its offerings as it builds out its private equity, private credit and real-estate teams, and allowing other investors to participate. 


As a GP sponsor, what does Manulife look for in managers it backs? What are the long-duration and cash-yielding assets it is seeking out? What are the sectors the global wealth and asset management firm is bullish on as it increases its exposure to Asia-Pacific private markets? We will also be asking Myron about opportunities in renewables, ESG and the digital infrastructure space.