Episode 317: Bringing a Portfolio Perspective to Improve Private Credit Outcomes

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley, CFA, speaks with Jon McKeown, Head of Portfolio Strategy and Analytics at Northleaf Capital Partners. Jon shares how Northleaf approaches portfolio construction in private credit by applying a risk- and analytics-driven lens, enabling investment teams to maintain strong relative value discipline and better navigate sector and geographic exposure. With over $30 billion in commitments, Northleaf brings a global, middle-market focus across private equity, infrastructure, and credit making their insights especially relevant to insurance asset managers.   Jon outlines how his team supports investment decision-making across origination, underwriting, and portfolio monitoring. He also dives into NAV-based lending, European private credit opportunities, and how his team leverages a custom “composite risk” metric to assess return per unit of risk. Listeners will appreciate Jon’s perspectives on downside protection, portfolio design thinking, and how insurance investors can enhance outcomes through a strategic lens.