1823 Partners (US) LLC (“1823 Partners”), a new asset management firm specializing in insurance-focused investment strategies, today announced its official launch. The firm will manage a multi-billion-dollar asset mandate from JAB Insurance US Holdings, Inc. (“JAB Insurance”), initially concentrating on real estate, asset-backed finance, credit, and insurance solutions. 1823 Partners is a Registered Investment Adviser.
The firm was co-founded by Anant Bhalla, Joachim Creus, and Frank Engelen, with Bhalla leading as Chief Executive Officer. A veteran insurance executive and pioneer in insurance-focused asset management, Bhalla will guide the firm in blending rigorous asset and liability risk management with distinctive private market opportunities to create lasting value for clients and their policyholders.
1823 Partners will serve independent insurance companies and institutional investors, targeting superior risk-adjusted returns through differentiated investments. JAB Insurance portfolio entities will be the inaugural clients of 1823 Partners.
“I am energized to create a platform that supports independent insurance companies with tailored investment strategies that back real promises with real assets. By investing long-term insurance company policyholder resources across both public fixed income and bespoke private market opportunities—from real estate to specialty credit and asset-backed lending—we aim to provide predictable, durable cash flows with strong risk-adjusted returns. Our allocations, anchored in liability-driven investing and robust risk management, enable us to prioritize risk control while maximizing return per unit of risk,” said Bhalla.
Headquartered in Miami with an additional office in New York, 1823 Partners is assembling a team of professionals specializing in real estate, asset-backed finance, credit, and insurance solutions. The firm plans to expand into additional asset classes and grow to approximately 60 investment professionals by year-end.
These experts will focus on sourcing and structuring investments designed to deliver resilient, long-term returns. In addition to asset management, 1823 Partners will provide investment management and risk advisory services tailored to the unique needs of insurance companies.
Alongside Bhalla, the firm’s launch team includes several highly experienced professionals:
- James Hamalainen, Partner and Chief Operating Officer – formerly with American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (AEL), Brighthouse Financial, and Ameriprise Financial
- Ashok Vishnubhakta, Partner, Head of Commercial Credit – formerly with AEL, Allstate Investments, GE Capital, and Macquarie Capital
- Pankil Doshi, Partner, Head of Commercial Real Estate – formerly with Cerberus Capital Management, Deutsche Bank, and Matrix (an affiliate of Colony Capital)
- Chris Bauer, Managing Director, Fixed-Income Trading – formerly with Black Diamond Capital Management, Marble Ridge Capital, and Nokota Management
- Stuart Perowne, Managing Director, Equity Trading – formerly with Citigroup and Lazard
- Shawn Pierce, Managing Director, Asset-Backed Finance – formerly with AEL, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, UniCredit, and Capital One
- Steven Zhou, Managing Director, Hedging and Derivative Strategies – formerly with Lord Abbett, Deutsche Asset Management, and J.P. Morgan
Bhalla added, “We are fortunate to have access to remarkable, off-market investment opportunities driven by two factors: the quality of our clients’ insurance capital and the caliber of the investment talent we have assembled. As a long-term investor focused on attractive asset sectors, we are building a unified team and a vibrant culture with the mantra: ‘One Team, One Dream.’ We take pride in connecting main street insurance policyholder resources with main street borrowers—from consumers to commercial businesses—through credit, asset-backed, and real asset financing.”
About 1823 Partners
1823 Partners is a registered investment adviser conducting business as a differentiated asset management firm focused on long-term, insurance-first investment strategies. The firm supports independent insurance companies with tailored investment strategies that back real promises with real assets. 1823 Partners manages a growing portfolio of private market investments with the objective of generating compelling returns for insurance companies and their policyholders, as well as other long-term oriented institutional investors. The firm is headquartered in Miami and has an office in New York. For more information, please visit: www.1823.partners.
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