‘Complexity is Our Friend’: James Brocklebank on Advent's Private Equity Strategy

Exchanges

Goldman Sachs

Business

4.3 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 May 2026

⏱️ 32 minutes

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Summary

Advent Co-Chair James Brocklebank explains why complex markets can create opportunities for private equity investors. This episode was recorded on April 21st, 2026. The opinions and views expressed herein are as of the date of publication, subject to change without notice, and may not necessarily reflect the institutional views of Goldman Sachs or its affiliates. The material provided is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation from any Goldman Sachs entity to take any particular action, or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities or financial products. This material may contain forward-looking statements. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Goldman Sachs nor any of its affiliates make any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or information contained herein and disclaim any liability whatsoever for reliance on such information for any purpose. Each name of a third-party organization mentioned is the property of the company to which it relates, is used here strictly for informational and identification purposes only and is not used to imply any ownership or license rights between any such company and Goldman Sachs. A transcript is provided for convenience and may differ from the original video or audio content. Goldman Sachs is not responsible for any errors in the transcript. This material should not be copied, distributed, published, or reproduced in whole or in part or disclosed by any recipient to any other person without the express written consent of Goldman Sachs. Disclosures applicable to research with respect to issuers, if any, mentioned herein are available through your Goldman Sachs representative or at ⁠http://www.gs.com/research/hedge.html⁠ Goldman Sachs does not endorse any candidate or any political party. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This is just one more challenging time in a line of challenging times.
0:09.3	But complexity is our friend, and we lean in in times like this,
0:14.3	and the best deals tend to be made in non-benine conditions, if you like.
0:23.3	Where are the biggest opportunities for private equity investors now?
0:27.8	I'm Alison Mass, Chairman of Investment Banking
0:30.2	and Goldman Sachs' Global Banking and Markets Group,
0:32.9	and your host for this episode of Goldman Sachs' Exchanges's Great Investors.
0:38.1	Today, I'm sitting down with James Brocklebank, who is the co-chair of Advent, a global private
0:44.1	equity investor, where he also co-heads the European business.
0:48.3	Well, welcome to great investors, James.
0:50.2	Really thrilled to have you here.
0:51.8	Thank you so much for having me.
0:53.0	It's a real privilege.
0:54.0	Thank you. So you've been at Advent now for 30 years? Just under 30 years. Which is spectacular. Thank you. And thanks to a paper job listing in the FT, the Financial Times, I heard. And I heard that you still have that listing in your office. I do. I have it on my wall. It was given to me for my 25th anniversary at Advent.
1:12.6	They found it, the actual piece of paper.
1:14.6	It's framed on the wall, and it does mean a lot to me because it's a reminder of how
1:19.6	random life can be and how non-linear one's career can be.
1:24.6	And it was interesting because when I was at Bairings in the first year or so, I did
1:29.1	like an internship sort of stash, if you like, an apprenticeship in their private equity business,
1:35.6	which was called Bering Capital Investors. It was on Park Lane in London. I really enjoyed it.
1:40.7	So I had an inkling that the private equity was interesting and would appeal.
1:46.4	And then I saw this ad and I didn't know anything at all about Advent. But I liked what it said.
	...

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