Schroders Capital, the $97.3 billion private markets business of Schroders, have announced the appointment of Vikram Bhandari to the newly-created role of Head and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Schroders Capital Solutions.

Vikram is based in London and reports to Ingo Heinen, Global Head of Business Development and Product.

As Head and CIO, Vikram will help drive business growth and lead Schroders Capital’s private markets solutions strategy and execution. The senior appointment reflects the firm’s client-centric approach and will further leverage its private markets solutions capabilities on a global scale.

Vikram brings a wealth of experience as a direct investor across multiple asset classes, with a strong track-record in managing multi-private markets portfolios. Prior to joining Schroders Capital, Vikram worked at BlackRock as Senior Portfolio Manager. Vikram expanded BlackRock’s Multi-Alternatives Private Markets Solutions business in EMEA over the course of seven years, working with multiple client segments including defined benefit and defined contribution (DC) pensions, insurance, wealth, sovereigns, family offices and other institutions.

Schroders Capital’s global platform provides clients a diversified range of investment strategies across private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and private debt and credit alternatives.

The Schroders Capital Solutions team will work closely with clients and prospects to design, deliver, and manage private markets solutions spanning multiple asset classes and sub-strategies, tailored to meet the diverse needs of all client groups including, but not limited to, pensions, insurance, family offices, and wealth.

Ingo Heinen, Global Head of Business Development & Product, Schroders Capital, said:

“We help our clients build customised exposures across the private markets spectrum. This capability epitomises our client centricity and is a key part of our differentiated pan-private markets solutions offering. Vikram's leadership will allow us to further leverage the capabilities at Schroders Capital Solutions and deliver even more to our growing global client base.”

Vikram Bhandari, Head and CIO of Schroders Capital Solutions, Schroders Capital, said:

“I am delighted to join Schroders Capital at such a pivotal time. The private markets landscape has evolved significantly over the last few years, and we are now seeing a much broader set of clients wanting to access the diversification and returns that private markets can offer.

“Changing regulation has enabled the launch of new structures, and firms are now able to offer a spectrum of liquidity and asset classes depending on the investor’s needs.

“Schroders Capital has an impressive track-record in delivering these innovative private markets solutions to institutional, DC and now wealth clients, which is testament to its focus on putting the client first. I look forward to building on this momentum, expanding our global presence and client outreach, and helping to drive the next phase of growth.”

Schroders is already a market leader in offering structures which provide greater access to private markets through its range of listed vehicles, as well as semi-liquid and illiquid structures. The firm introduced the UK’s first Long-Term Asset Fund (LTAF), Climate+, followed by the UK’s first LTAF exclusively dedicated to renewable energy and energy transition infrastructure, in response to increasing demand from defined contribution clients to access the benefits that private markets investment can offer.

Building on this momentum, last year the firm launched the UK's first venture and growth LTAF, the Schroders Capital UK Innovation LTAF. The Fund recently held its first close of £500m, which included commitments from the British Business Bank and Phoenix, via its private markets venture with Schroders - Future Growth Capital.

Additionally, in line with its commitment to democratising investment opportunities, Schroders Capital reached a significant milestone in 2024 with the launch of the Schroders Capital Global Private Equity LTAF. Whilst its fourth LTAF, the UK-authorised feeder fund is its first in providing private clients access to its best expertise in private equity through its Global Private Equity Semi Liquid Fund, which surpassed the $2bn mark last year.