What we do
Aka & Associates advises institutions on three interrelated areas.
We advise institutional investors, asset managers, and public institutions on
portfolio strategy, governance frameworks, and cross-border market entry.
Portfolio Strategy
We advise asset owners on portfolio construction, diversification, and long-term
capital-deployment frameworks.
This includes:
- Strategic asset allocation
- Portfolio rebalancing and concentration risk
- Private-markets programme design
- Income and liability-matching strategies
- Manager selection and consolidation
- Co-investment and partnership frameworks
Governance Frameworks
We advise boards, investment committees, and executive teams on institutional
governance and decision-making structures.
This includes:
- Board and investment-committee design
- Investment policy and mandate frameworks
- Risk and oversight structures
- Organisational and fiduciary alignment
- Succession planning and leadership mentoring
Cross-Border Market Entry
We advise asset managers and public institutions on entering and operating in new
markets.
This includes:
- Market-entry strategy and positioning
- Regulatory and legal requirements
- Institutional platform development
- Sovereign and government engagement
- Local partnership models
- Stakeholder and cultural navigation
FOR GPs / ASSET MANAGERS
We advise asset managers on how to build credible, institutionally aligned platforms.
Our work focuses on translating LP requirements into GP strategy, product design,
governance, and institutional positioning.
Typical areas of support include:
- Market-entry and expansion strategy
- Product and vehicle design
- Governance and organisational design
- Investor positioning and segmentation
- Sovereign and institutiona LP engagement
- Executive mentorship and leadership alignment
- Wealth-channel and private-bank distribution strategy
Case Study
Advising a Global Asset Manager on Market Entry and Investor Engagement
Context
Supporting a mid-market global asset manager seeking to establish a presence in a
new region to access sovereign, pension, family-office, and private-bank capital.
Role
Advising senior leadership on market-entry strategy, investor segmentation, and
engagement protocols. Designing a governance and representation framework
aligned with regional regulatory and cultural expectations.
Progress
Enabling the firm to secure its first institutional partnerships in the region and position
itself as a credible, long-term partner to local and sovereign investors.
Advising on the Development of a New Emerging Markets Asset Manager
Context
Advising the CEO and Investment Committee of a newly formed asset manager,
seeded by a leading regional family office. The firm’s dual objective is to attract
foreign co-investors into selected projects and build a globally diversified investment
platform.
Role
Providing strategic and structural guidance on organisational design, investment-vehicle architecture, and governance frameworks to support tax-efficient, multi-jurisdictional operations. Advising on a capital-deployment model balancing regional investments (20–40%) with global allocations (60–80%).
Progress
Delivering a governance and allocation framework underpinning two inaugural
strategies (Special Situations and Growth), while mentoring and coaching the CEO,
CFO, and CCO to strengthen leadership alignment and institutional readiness.
FOR INVESTORS / ASSET OWNERS
We advise sovereign wealth funds, pensions, central banks, and family offices on
portfolio strategy, governance, and institutional development.
Our work reflects a GP-side understanding of how investment platforms are built and
managed.
Typical areas of support include:
- Portfolio construction and diversification
- Private-markets programme design
- Manager selection and consolidation
- Governance and policy frameworks
- Investment-committee structures
- Succession planning and leadership mentoring
Case Study
Advising on Pension Fund Reform and Market Development in an Emerging Market Economy
Context
Advising public-sector stakeholders on modernising a pension system where public
assets are centralised within the national monetary authority. Concentrated
ownership has made the system a dominant holder of domestic securities,
constraining liquidity and market depth.
Role
Providing strategic counsel on transitioning from a captive, buy-and-hold structure to
a more dynamic, market-based model. Designing reforms to incentivise private asset
managers, broaden market participation, and attract foreign capital.
Progress
Supporting the creation of a policy and governance roadmap linking pension reform
with capital-market development, including regulatory modernisation and the
emergence of a domestic asset-management ecosystem.
Advising a Public Asset Owner on Building a Private Credit & Infrastructure Programme
Context
Advising a public-sector investment institution seeking to introduce a dedicated
allocation to private credit and infrastructure to enhance income, improve liability
matching, and strengthen downside protection.
Role
Providing strategic advice on programme design — including portfolio construction,
manager-selection frameworks, risk parameters, and governance processes —
aligned with the investment committee’s decision-making model.
Progress
Developing a phased implementation roadmap covering mandate structure, co-
investment options, reporting standards, and ongoing oversight.