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Published: 10 August 2022

The Evolution of the Private Equity Industry: Returns, Relationships and Responsibility

Over the past decade, the private equity industry has undergone a series of dramatic shifts in the years since the global financial crisis of 2008, due to the low-interest rate environment, increased valuation multiples and the rise of sustainable investing. The impact of these shifts has been evident in the returns from the asset class, the changing nature of relationships between industry players and considerations given to being a responsible capital provider.

Over the past decade, the private equity industry has undergone a series of dramatic shifts in the years since the global financial crisis of 2008, due to the low-interest rate environment, increased valuation multiples and the rise of sustainable investing. The impact of these shifts has been evident in the returns from the asset class, the changing nature of relationships between industry players and considerations given to being a responsible capital provider.

This report presents the results and lessons learned from the research presentations and discussions at the Private Capital Research Institute (PCRI) meetings and the World Economic Forum, convening global private equity firms and institutional investors. It highlights some broader lessons for best practices in the industry, while tracing the evolution of the industry since the global financial crisis in 2008.

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