How a private equity pioneer lost its grip on the market it invented

一位私募股权先驱如何失去了它所创造市场的控制权

Behind the Money

2026-02-18

18 分钟
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Partners Group pursued an innovative approach to private equity: The firm built a business serving a market of individual investors. Now, a recent executive order from US President Donald Trump is set to unlock that marketplace on an even grander scale. The only thing is, Partners might not be the one to reap the rewards. The FT’s US private equity and deals editor Antoine Gara and private capital reporter Alexandra Heal explain how the pioneer is struggling to keep up with its rivals.  Clips from CBS, CBS19   The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: How private equity’s pioneer in tapping retail money lost its edge Donald Trump exposes US retirees to new world of risk with 401k order Buyout executive warns private equity push into US savings risks bailouts  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Follow Antoine Gara on X (@AntoineGara) and Bluesky (@antoinegara.bsky.social). Alexandra Heal is on X (@alexandraheal) and Bluesky (@alexandraheal.bsky.social). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  • In the mid-2010s, a little-known Swiss private equity firm called Partners Group was on a mission.

  • They had basically gone from hit to hit.

  • And now they were focused on a new opportunity with enormous upside.

  • Since early in President Donald Trump's first administration,

  • Partners Group has been lobbying to open retirement plans to private equity.

  • and they've really seen the opportunity to tap tens of millions of new customers.

  • That's CFT's U.S.

  • Private Equity and Deals Editor, Antoine Guerra.

  • He tells me that this change from the Trump administration would be building on the bedrock of partners' business.

  • It takes a while, but last August, they finally got their wish.

  • A potential big change is coming to your 401k.

  • Today,

  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order that could make it easier for 401k plans to offer alternative investment options,

  • including private equity.

  • After years of lobbying, Trump last year signed an executive order that really may reshape the U.S.

  • retirement market.

  • It opens 401k plans and other retirement plans to the possibility of adding a lot of illiquid assets like cryptocurrencies,

  • real estate deals, hedge funds, but mostly it's about private equity and private credit.

  • That's where the action is going to be.

  • But a lot's changed in the near decade since the firm first started its lobbying push.