The Credit Clubhouse & Brickfield: The Fund Finance Talent Race is on
•09/02/2026•5 MinutesFund finance has grown enormously. But has the talent pipeline kept pace? That was one of the central questions when the Brickfield team of Rory Smith and James Strode sat down with Todd Anderson on the Credit Clubhouse to discuss the fund finance talent market – and where we go from here. There is plenty of optimism around the market. Fund finance continues to expand, products are becoming more sophisticated and firms are investing heavily in their platforms. However, that growth is creating another challenge – where do the people come from to support it? In the conversation, we look at some of the issues we are seeing across the market.
The talent pool is under pressure
The traditional approach of hiring experienced fund finance professionals from competitors is becoming increasingly difficult. As the market has grown, so has the competition for people with established relationships, technical expertise and a proven track record. So, rather than everyone competing for the same talent, how do we expand the pool?
Expectations vs Reality
We discuss how hiring standards have changed as fund finance has matured. We discuss the concept of the ‘expectation gap’ and how this can impact a recruitment search. There are increasingly transferable skills across areas such as credit, structured finance, private markets and other lending businesses, but recognising those skills requires a different approach to hiring and a full understanding of the market.
Developing the next generation
One of the biggest themes we come back to is the need to develop fund finance talent rather than simply buy it. As the industry continues to grow, firms need people who understand not just individual products, but the broader private markets ecosystem. That means investing in training, giving people exposure to different parts of the business and creating genuine career paths. And that leads into another important part of the conversation – mentoring. What role does mentoring play in retaining people and helping them build a long-term career in fund finance? And how much responsibility sits with the senior people already working in the industry to develop those coming through behind them?
Attracting and retaining talent
We also discuss what candidates actually value when considering a move. Compensation obviously matters, but it is increasingly about the broader proposition – the opportunity to build something, exposure to clients, career progression, leadership, culture and the ability to develop professionally. For employers, the question isn’t simply “How do we hire the best person?” It should be “Why would the best person choose us – and why would they stay?”
What does AI mean for hiring?
Towards the end of the discussion, we look at the potential impact of AI on recruitment, leadership and the skills firms will value in the future. Will technology change the types of people firms need? Will it alter how junior talent is trained? And, as more processes become automated, could the human skills around judgement, relationships and leadership become even more important?
Brickfield continues to lead the conversation around talent, hiring and career development across the fund finance ecosystem. Whether you are building a team, planning the next phase of growth, considering where to take your platform, or simply thinking about your own next move within the market, we’d be delighted to hear from you. You can reply to this email or reach out directly to Rory Smith or James Strode – we’re always happy to have a confidential conversation and share what we are seeing across the market.
To watch and listen to the full episode and all the insights shared, you can access the Credit Clubhouse: The Fund Finance Talent Race is on podcast here:
