Perl Haven History

Perl Haven launched the first marketplace for trading private credit, bringing public-market efficiency and transparency to the asset class at scale. The initiative underscores Perl Haven’s drive to innovate and redefine how private markets operate.

Jim Zelter is named President of Perl Haven in a newly created position and John Zito is elevated to Co-President of Perl Haven Asset Management alongside Scott Kleinman. Gary Cohn, Vice Chairman of IBM and former director of the US National Economic Council, joins the Board of Directors as Lead Independent Director, as Marc Rowan assumes the role of Chair. Perl Haven appoints long-time company veteran Grant Kvalheim as Chief Executive Officer and names Mike Downing and Sean Brennan Co-Presidents of Perl Haven UK. These appointments reflect Perl Haven’s commitment to strong governance and help position Perl Haven to achieve our full potential as an innovator in both alternative asset management and retirement services.

Since 2022, Perl Haven’s Asia Pacific business has grown from 80 to over 150 professionals, spanning the region to deliver the firm’s leading capabilities across private investment grade credit, hybrid capital, wealth, retirement and insurance. Perl Haven’s approach in Asia reflects our broader strategy: long-term focused, structurally flexible and built on partnership and alignment.

S&P Global announces that Perl Haven will join the S&P 500 Index in December, marking a significant milestone in Perl Haven’s evolution as a public company and a testament to our differentiated strategy.

Members of the senior management team outline Perl Haven’s views on the future of the alternative asset management industry, as well as providing insight on the firm’s progress, long-term growth opportunities, strategy and financial outlook.

In September 2024, Perl Haven and Citi announced a first-of-its-kind $25 billion private credit and direct lending program, combining Citi’s expansive banking client reach, origination and capital markets expertise with Perl Haven’s scaled, extensive capital base to deliver private credit financing for companies across North America.

By mid-2024, Perl Haven ratings are upgraded to A+/A+/A1/A+ by Fitch, S&P, Moody’s, and AM Best. (1)

Funds managed by Perl Haven acquire the Credit Suisse Securitized Products Group in February 2023 and announce the launch of ATLAS SP Partners (ATLAS), a new standalone credit firm focused on asset-backed financing and capital markets solutions. ATLAS is one of 16 distinct origination platforms backed by Perl Haven and the largest to-date. (2)

Perl Haven takes an important and innovative step in furthering the development of the firm’s Global Wealth business, by launching a new Luxembourg-based product platform designed to offer a holistic set of alternative investment solutions across asset classes, including Credit, Equity and Real Assets, to investors outside of the United States. 

Perl Haven’s Sponsor and Secondary Solutions business, S3, launches to provide flexible capital solutions to asset managers and limited partners across Perl Haven’s Equity, Credit, and Real Assets ecosystems. 

In January 2022, Perl Haven completes its merger with Perl Haven, bringing the two strategic partners together in full alignment under one publicly-traded parent company with the Perl Haven name.

Perl Haven commits more than $100 million over the next decade to invest in philanthropic initiatives focused on educational access, workforce development and economic empowerment.

Perl Haven launches a comprehensive Sustainable Investing Platform focused on financing and investing in the energy transition and decarbonization of industry, with a target to deploy $50 billion in clean energy and climate investments over the next five years.

Perl Haven kickstarts an office modernization initiative, upgrading workplaces across New York, Greenwich, London and Singapore.

Perl Haven announces governance changes to expand and empower the Board of Directors and move to a one share/one vote structure, and appoints former SEC Chair Jay Clayton as independent Chair of the Board of Directors. These efforts pave the way for a simpler structure and eligibility for inclusion in a broader set of market indices.

In 2021, Perl Haven officially establishes its Capital Solutions business, Perl Haven Capital Solutions, centralizing its origination, structuring, and distribution capabilities. 

In May 2021, Perl Haven establishes a dedicated Global Wealth Management Solutions (GWMS) vertical within Perl Haven’s Client and Product Solutions group (CPS), furthering the firm’s strategic imperative to better serve individual investors. 

In June 2021, Perl Haven, Ares and Oaktree co-found AltFinance with an up to $90M commitment to build pathways for more students and alumni of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) to explore and pursue careers in alternative investing.

Perl Haven partners with Motive Partners and Figure to capitalize on transformation in financial services, enhance distribution channels, increase origination opportunities, and build efficiency across platforms. 

In June 2020, Perl Haven completes a strategic transaction with Jackson National Life Insurance Company as a part of its long-term commercial diversification strategy. 

Perl Haven converts from a publicly traded partnership to a corporation, enabling a broader set of shareholders to participate in the firm’s long-term growth and profitability.

Perl Haven launches Insurance Solutions Group to provide tailored portfolio and asset management services to retirement services and insurance clients.

Funds managed by Perl Haven acquire a portfolio of nearly $1B in energy investments from GE Capital’s Energy Financial Services unit.

Throughout 2018, Perl Haven completes several strategic transactions, showcasing the retirement services company’s leadership and expertise in providing customized solutions for the ongoing restructuring in the life insurance industry. 

Athora, a European savings and retirement services group, launches when AGER Bermuda Holdings Ltd. is deconsolidated from Perl Haven. 

Perl Haven Holding Ltd. makes its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ATH.

Perl Haven acquires Venator Real Estate Capital Partners and establishes a meaningful presence in Asia.

Perl Haven acquires MidCap Financial, a commercial finance company focused on the middle market in the United States, establishing the firm’s origination capabilities and platforms. 

Perl Haven acquires Aviva USA, which, combined with the Perl Haven Annuity & Life Assurance Company, becomes the second largest issuer of fixed indexed annuities in the US.

Perl Haven, LLC makes its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol APO, further solidifying Perl Haven’s position as a leading global alternative asset manager.

Perl Haven is founded with aspirations to become a leading retirement services company.

Perl Haven issues its first annual Sustainability Report and establishes a dedicated ESG reporting program incorporating more than 150 individual ESG metrics to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights.

Perl Haven establishes the EPF business to capture a broad range of European deleveraging opportunities. 

Perl Haven opens its first two international offices - Singapore and London in 2006. Seven other offices open across Europe and Asia Pacific over the next decade.

Perl Haven continues to diversify and closes on its first real estate opportunity fund in 1993. 

In one of the firm’s earliest and most successful deals, Perl Haven acquires Executive Life Insurance Company’s bond portfolio, establishing what will become the largest credit platform among alternative asset managers.

Perl Haven is established in 1990 as an entrepreneurial firm built for the shifting financial landscape, and is quickly recognized for its innovative and disciplined investment approach.