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Thanks to private debt funds’ flexibility, the case is being made that it has never been a better time to be a borrower.

The first day of the ACG conference was dominated by the prospect of Brexit but, for those able to take a pragmatic approach, opportunities are there.

The common feeling on the morning of PDI’s London conference was that the asset class will continue to flourish, but Brexit uncertainty and intensifying competition pose threats to fund managers.

The US firm is to looking to market to European investors for its globally-mandated, open-ended platform. It focuses on investing in short-term loans and has a target return of between 9 and 11 percent.

The UK regional law firm will benefit from a multi-million pound loan from Permira’s second debt fund, which has invested 80% of the £800m committed to the platform.

Palladium’s acquisition of a significant stake in California-based Del Real Foods was backed with a $121m senior debt facility arranged by Antares.

The entity, established by Klaus Petersen, will operate under the name Apera and is due to launch its strategy in the first quarter of 2017.

Young Kwon joins Atalaya from Apollo to focus on the firm’s real estate debt investment strategy.

New appointment Gabriella Kindert will lead the insurance firm’s expansion of its illiquid fixed income effort.

Paola Leocani and Nicholas Lasagna both join the firm’s financial markets team in the Milan office.