Weekend Giant Reading: January 15 – 17, 2016

Welcome to the weekend, everybody! Here are some of the top stories from the past week for your reading enjoyment:

- In-Sourcing: Japan’s Giant Government Pension Investment Fund is putting the governance pieces in place to facilitate a direct investment approach for equities. Smart.

- Buffering I: It may seem an odd time for Saudi Arabia to decide to set up a new sovereign wealth fund, but that’s precisely what they’re reportedly doing. My guess is that they now see very clearly the utility of buffer funds and wealth diversification . . .

- Buffering II: With oil prices sliding, Middle Eastern sovereign funds are also selling assets that I never expected to see them sell. For example, the Qatar Investment Authority is apparently planning to sell its stake in Canary Wharf.

- A Mighty Wind: Canada’s CDPQ owns an offshore wind farm that just set a new record for the amount of clean electricity produced. Sounds really windy!

- Global Growth Hunting I:Malaysia’s Khazanah plans to boost its international presence in the year ahead to find growth opportunities.

- Global Growth Hunting II: CDPQ is following CPPIB’s lead and is setting up a new office in India.

- Global Growth Hunting III:Texas Teachers has a new head for its London Office. Yes, Texas Teachers now has a London office. Yes, it’s the only American pension fund to have one.

- Humans Resourced I:Ontario Teachers has appointed an outsider as its new CIO.

- Humans Resourced II: The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority has finally found a new head for its private equity team.

- Humans Resourced III: TIFF continues to poach top talent from the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

Have a great weekend!