Of the $27.6bn of GP-led activity seen in the first half, $17.2bn was deployed into single-asset or highly concentrated continuation funds, according to the adviser's mid-year report.
It is understood Lazard’s head of US secondaries advisory Amanda Ugarte will join the investment bank to lead and build out its secondaries advisory team.
The firm hopes to surpass the size of its previous secondaries flagship, which closed on $22.2bn in 2023.
LP-led deals made up 57% of volume as pricing increased for buyout, credit, and venture and growth, according to the adviser's half-year report, shared with Secondaries Investor.
Tim Henn, who has joined from JPMorgan as head of private equity secondaries, tells Secondaries Investor the firm plans to invest in deals with GPs it knows through its platform.
Trading of second-hand stakes in funds and assets will hit a record this year, according to Verdun Perry, global head of Strategic Partners.
The firm has appointed five managing directors across its secondaries and placement agent businesses.
Private Equity Strategic Opportunities Fund V is aiming to deliver a 1.8x-2x multiple for investors.
The deal is part of a series of large LP sales driven by liquidity concerns, the need to rebalance investment exposures in investment portfolios and strong pricing for high-quality private markets funds.
The Paris-headquartered firm raised €200m for its debut secondaries fund last year.