Venture capital

Europe’s IPO market has recovered, but venture-backed companies are increasingly finding liquidity elsewhere.

Nest’s new venture capital strategy is about more than a £200 million allocation. It reflects a broader shift in UK DC investing, as master trusts become increasingly willing to move further up the company lifecycle in search of long-term returns.

The challenge is ensuring domestic DC pension capital participates in the growth of British businesses.

The Q2 2026 issue of Private Markets Profile is now live.

The rise of dual-use technologies is blurring the line between commercial and defence markets, creating new growth pathways for UK SMEs and a broader opportunity set for investors, say Andy Bloxam and Matt Smith of Foresight.

New operator joins a growing cohort including the London Stock Exchange and JP Jenkins as the UK’s intermittent private markets framework takes shape.

Head of UK venture talks to PMP about the manager’s aim of channelling DC pension capital into high-growth technology and life sciences companies.

After completing the first auction under the framework, JP Jenkins director Dan Foster explains how it works, who it suits and what comes next.

Institutional investors are reassessing defence, security and resilience as geopolitical risk reshapes markets, ESG frameworks and private market opportunities.

Asset owners need to appreciate that their return targets and responsible investment aims all depend on the nation maintaining sufficient resilience and defensive capabilities.

Private Markets Profile caught up with Anna Rule to discuss the main talking points of the Pensions UK Investment Conference

Multi-pronged approach seeks to overcome the traditional reliance on overseas pension scheme capital