The HPScast

This week marks the end of Season 14 of The HPScast. To close out the season, host Colbert Cannon revisits some of the most memorable moments from a broad slate of guests: BlackRock co-founder and President Rob Kapito, leaders from HPS's asset-based finance and GP-LP financing businesses, and partners working in markets from Mexico to Europe and the Middle East. The episode also returns to our special discussion on what AI means for private credit investors.

The entire HPS team thanks our guests and listeners for joining us this season. We're taking a short break, and we look forward to returning soon with all-new conversations in Season 15.

Each season, we dedicate one episode to discussing current credit market trends. In this season’s episode, we discuss the Fed’s recent rate hike and what higher borrowing costs mean for credit, how software credit has recovered since this spring’s AI-driven sell off, and where private and public credit investors are finding opportunity in financing the AI build out. Our discussion, hosted by Colbert Cannon, features Vikas Keswani, HPS’s Head of Direct Lending, Serge Adam, a Portfolio Manager of Multi-Asset Credit here at HPS, and Dominique Bly, a Macro Credit Research Strategist within BlackRock's Private Financing Solutions platform.

On this week's episode of The HPScast, host Colbert Cannon sits down with James Lumby and Todd Hooper, leaders of HPS's GP-LP Financing Solutions business, to explore the world of NAV financing and the range of private financing alternatives. Both former high-level rugby players who built parallel careers in London finance, James and Todd trace their paths to the Goldman Sachs desk where they spotted a business opportunity while working on a portfolio-financing transaction.

They offer a deep dive into the GP-LP financing landscape: how NAV financing grew from a nascent product into an institutional mainstay, why COVID proved a catalyst for the market, and the newer frontiers of management-company and limited partner-level financing. James and Todd also discuss what helps a lender win in this space.

Learn more about Todd’s & James’ work at HPS here. Check out my Best Idea for this week, the 2016 movie The Nice Guys, here.

This week on The HPScast, host Colbert Cannon catches up with John McAuley, Global Co-Head of Debt Capital Markets at Citigroup, one of the world's largest investment banks. John traces his path into finance—a decision that began as a means to an end and has grown into a 26-year tenure at Citigroup. He discusses his entrée into what would now be called private credit at TD Bank, and a short stint in investment banking at Schroders before arriving at Citigroup through the firm's acquisition of Schroders.

Today, John brings breadth and depth of expertise to his work, from navigating the 2008 financial crisis to witnessing the booms and busts of seemingly "bulletproof" industries. He shares his read on the AI financing boom, and we learn more about HPS and Citigroup's new partnership to pursue direct lending across Europe and the Middle East.

Learn more about John and Citigroup’s partnership with HPS Investment Partners here. Check out Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, the European crime thriller series Pagan Peak, here.

AI may be the most talked-about theme in markets today, but what does it actually mean for private credit investors? In this podcast, Grishma Parekh, Vikas Keswani, and Rob Kostow discuss how AI is changing company fundamentals, influencing investment opportunities, and creating both risks and rewards across the private credit landscape.

On this week's episode of The HPScast, host Colbert Cannon sits down with Sergio Méndez, Country Head of BlackRock Mexico, to explore his role in the country's investing landscape and its mandatory pension system, the Afores. Sergio traces his path into finance—from the trading floor during Mexico's 1994 tequila crisis, through a formative stint in the U.S.—and the lessons he carried home while running investments for Mexico's largest pension fund before joining BlackRock. Then, he offers a deep dive into the Mexican financial landscape: its evolving pension system, a robust and growing retail business, and how BlackRock is helping connect investors with opportunities in energy and infrastructure to meet the rising energy demand from data centers and the broader technology transition.

Learn more about Sergio and his work at BlackRock Mexico here. Check out Sergio's Best Idea for this week, the book The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes by Zachary Carter, here.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon speaks with Seth Cohen, a leader of HPS's asset-based finance business. Seth traces his unconventional path from criminal investigator with the D.C. Public Defender to the Legal Aid Society, and eventually the business world, where he scaled specialty finance platforms at MagnaCare and Franklin Credit before moving to the investing side at Silver Point and building CarVal's asset-based finance business over 15 years. He and Colbert discuss what asset-based finance means, how the BlackRock combination impacts sourcing, and where Seth sees new opportunities as the platform scales.

Learn more about Seth and his work at HPShere. Explore HPS's Asset-Based Finance platformhere. Watch Colbert's Best Idea for this week, True Romance, the 1993 cult classic directed by Tony Scott from Quentin Tarantino's first screenplay, streaming now on Netflixhere.

Welcome to Season 14 of The HPScast. This week, host Colbert Cannon sits down with Rob Kapito, co-founder and President of BlackRock. Rob shares his path from pumping gas at his family's garage to the trading floors of First Boston, and the eventual decision to join Larry Fink and a small group to build what would become the world's largest asset manager with $15+ trillion currently under management. Rob walks through the pivotal chapters of the BlackRock story, including the transformative Merrill Lynch and Barclays Global Investors deals, and the firm's latest evolution in private markets through the acquisitions of GIP and HPS. Plus, Rob discusses how he continues to focus on impact outside of work through Hope & Heroes, an organization that funds life-saving work on childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Learn more about Rob and his work at BlackRockhere. You can find out how to get involved with Hope and Heroeshere. Check out Rob's Best Idea for this week, the book Margin by Richard Swenson,here—and watch Colbert's Best Idea for this week, Somm,here.

We’ve reached the end of Season 13 of The HPScast. To close out a fantastic run, host Colbert Cannon revisits some of the season’s most memorable moments. This year, we heard from leaders at the top of their fields, including a legendary global financial executive, an American fashion icon, and a powerhouse in the hospitality industry, as well as colleagues from across HPS and BlackRock who shared valuable insights.

The entire HPS team extends a sincere thank you to our guests and listeners for joining us. We’ll be taking a short break, but we look forward to returning soon with all-new conversations in Season 14.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon sits down with Jim Koman, Founder and CEO of ElmTree Funds, a triple-net-lease real estate investment platform that recently combined with BlackRock. Jim reflects on growing up in St. Louis, studying economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and building a career in commercial real estate that led to founding ElmTree. Jim shares his perspective on how the current interest rate environment is affecting the net-lease market.

Learn more about Jim and his work with ElmTree Funds here. Read Project Hail Mary, a science fiction novel by Andy Weir, Jim’s Best Idea, here. Read Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, The Carolina Way, by legendary University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith, co-authored with Gerald D. Bell and John Kilgo, here.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon speaks with Elyce Arons, the co-founder of Kate Spade and co-founder and CEO of Frances Valentine. Elyce traces her journey from a Kansas farm kid to building two iconic American fashion brands with her best friend, the late Kate Spade. She reflects on losing Kate in 2018 and finding the resolve to keep their second fashion and lifestyle label, Frances Valentine, flourishing in her honor. She also shares what’s coming up for the brand, including a truly full-circle collaboration with the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative.

Learn more about Elyce and her work at Frances Valentine here. Read Elyce’s memoir, We Might Just Make It After All, here—or, her Best Idea, Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage, here. Watch Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, Dept. Q, a British crime thriller television series created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, here.

Every season, we spend one episode breaking down current credit market trends. In this season’s episode, we discuss the macro backdrop for credit, private and public credit’s exposure to software amidst concerns of AI disruption, and the types of businesses we believe are the most resilient in challenging environments. Our discussion, hosted by Colbert Cannon, features Vikas Keswani, Head of Direct Lending at HPS, and Scott Crocombe, a Managing Director from the HPS Liquid Credit team, as well as Dominique Bly, Macro Credit Research Strategist with BlackRock’s Private Financing Solutions platform.

This week, host Colbert Cannon sits down with Eva Pilgrim, the newest host of Inside Edition, television's longest-running syndicated television newsmagazine. Eva discusses her path from local reporter to international correspondent, and her eventual leap to anchoring GMA3 before assuming the role at Inside Edition, previously helmed by Deborah Norville for 30 years. Eva shares the behind-the-scenes of broadcast television and offers lessons in juggling a demanding work life while building a family. She also reflects on how media continues to evolve, and the discipline required to stay authentic in a rapidly changing landscape, offering insights into what keeps Inside Edition relevant in today’s fragmented news environment.

Learn more about Eva and her reporting at Inside Edition here. Read Min Jin Lee’s Pachinko, Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, here—or watch the Apple TV adaptation here.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon speaks with HPS Senior Advisor and Operating Partner Paul Achleitner, former CFO of Allianz and Chair of Deutsche Bank. Paul reflects on his distinguished career in global finance—from his formative years at Goldman Sachs to his leadership through the 2008 financial crisis. He shares lessons on risk management, disciplined decision-making, and effective governance in a rapidly changing world.

You can find Paul’s book, Accelerate Your Experience, here. Plan a visit to Nikko Yumoto-Onsen Ski Park, Paul's Best Idea, here. Read Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, the novel Measuring the World, by German-Austrian Daniel Kehlmann, here.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon talks with Jonathan Tisch, former Executive Chairman of Loews Hotels & Co., Director Emeritus of Loews Corporation, and New York Giants co-owner, about his path from early work in broadcast media to leading multi-billion-dollar hotel and diversified holding companies. Jon outlines how the ethos of hospitality informs his view on leadership and community engagement. He also shares how he navigated industry shocks such as 9/11, the global financial crisis, and COVID-19, and lessons learned about the power of partnership and collaboration in tough times.

Learn more about Jon and the Loews Corporation here. Read The Power of We: Succeeding Through Partnerships here. Book a SoulCycle class, Jon’s Best Idea, here. Watch Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, Board to Death, a comedy-drama created by Tufts graduate Jonathan Ames and starring Ted Danson, here.

This week on the HPScast, host Colbert Cannon interviews George Walker, Chairman and CEO of Neuberger Berman, an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with approximately 3,000 employees across 27 countries. Neuberger manages $563 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate, and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors, and individuals. George discusses the 2009 management buyout of Neuberger Berman from Lehman Brothers, highlighting key leadership lessons that have strengthened the firm's culture and driven growth. He also outlines Neuberger Berman's strategic priorities in the current market environment.

Learn more about George and his work at Neuberger Berman here. Read George’s Best Idea, 1929, written by Andrew Ross Sorkin, here. Watch Season 1 of Colbert’s Best Idea for this week, Task, a 2025 legal drama created by Brad Ingelsby and starring Mark Ruffalo, here.

We’re back with Season 13 of The HPScast. Host Colbert Cannon sits down with Matthieu Boulanger, Managing Director, Head of Europe at HPS Investment Partners. Boulanger traces his career from project finance at Citi, to growing private credit strategies from the ground up at HPS and KKR, as well as his recent return to HPS to lead its European business. He provides a detailed view of the expansion of HPS’s European platform following its transaction with BlackRock and offers a measured outlook on the future of private credit in Europe, with particular focus on direct lending, asset-based finance, and GPLP solutions.

Watch Colbert’s Best Idea for this week—Anatomy of a Fall, a 2023 French psychological legal drama directed by Justine Triet—here.

The HPScast returns for a special between-season episode with host Colbert Cannon leading a discussion on current credit market trends as we head towards 2026. Learn what we are seeing from a macro perspective and how credit markets could be affected. Our discussion features Vikas Keswani, a Managing Director from our private credit team, and Scott Crocombe, a Managing Director from our liquid credit team, as well as Amanda Lynam, Head of Macro Credit Research with BlackRock’s Private Financing Solutions platform.

To close out Season 12 of The HPScast, host Colbert Cannon revisits some of this season's most memorable moments. We brought on some heavy hitters from across industries, and the country, including: a former President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, a Chief Investment Officer of a South Carolina retirement system, a CNBC reporter extraordinaire, and colleagues from across HPS.

The HPScast team thanks our guests and listeners for another great run. We’re taking a short break, but we’ll return soon with all-new conversations in Season 13.

Each season, we devote one episode to a discussion of current credit market trends. This week, host Colbert Cannon is joined by Purnima Puri, an HPS Governing Partner and Head of Public Credit, and Mike Patterson, an HPS Governing Partner and Co-Head of Private Credit. With the magnitude of market volatility currently, the discussion focuses on what they are seeing from a macro perspective and how credit markets could be affected.