Blue Owl Capital, an alternative asset manager, has announced the hiring of John Valtwies to lead the firm’s private wealth business in Australia.
Valtwies was previously a senior leader of the global wealth management team at Pimco. During his tenure, he managed the firm’s private client relationships, focusing on private banks and ultra high net worth advisory groups.
He also led the family office business, and developed growth strategies to expand the firm’s semi-liquid alternatives for private clients and advisers. Prior to Pimco, Valtwies was a senior research analyst at Morningstar.
Sean Connor, president & CEO of global private wealth at Blue Owl said: “[Valtwies’s] appointment reinforces our commitment to organically scaling our global private wealth business with a focus on hiring market-leading talent.”
Valtwies added in a statement: “Australian investors are incredibly sophisticated, and increasingly selective when it comes to allocating to alternative asset managers. Blue Owl’s market leading solutions across credit, GP stakes and real estate, coupled with the firm’s historic focus on the private wealth channel ensure it is well-positioned to meet the growing needs of Australian investors.”
The appointment of Valtwies is Blue Owl’s second senior hire in Australia. In July 2024, the firm hired former Australia Future Fund’s deputy chief investment officer Alicia Gregory as part of the firm’s Institutional team.
Blue Owl has around $192bn in assets under management as of 30 June 2024, and employs 820 professionals, according to the firm. It invests across three multi-strategy platforms: credit, GP strategic capital, and real estate.
