Uncertain times leave the private debt market in uncharted territory. Whether it is interest rate rises, double-digit inflation or the war in Ukraine, 2022 was a testing year for the credit industry. So, it’s fair to say those lenders that have shown their mettle over the last 12 months really do require some special recognition. Our Private Debt Investor Awards for 2022 highlight the managers, institutional investors and advisers that have in the eyes of their peers proved their resilience amid global uncertainty.

There are 51 categories in this year’s awards across three regions: the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, as well as the much-coveted global prizes. Voted for by thousands of readers, they remain the only awards that are decided solely by the industry for the industry.

Choosing the winners is a painstaking process. Every November, our global edit team starts canvassing the views of colleagues and contacts in the market to find out which firms, funds and deals stood out from the crowd.

We then draw up a four-strong shortlist and leave you to pick a winner, even including a fifth write-in box to suggest an alternative, in case you think we left out anyone. We then invite you, our readers, to cast your votes online throughout December and early January. Finally, our editorial team vets the results to ensure they fully comply with our rules.

As ever, votes poured in from all over the world, proving yet again that these really are the most keenly contested awards in the private debt industry.

The coveted Global Fund Manager of the Year award was secured by Ares Management for the third time in four years, with another strong performance. The Global Newcomer of the Year went to Brinley Partners, a credit-focused alternative investment manager founded by Kerry Dolan in 2021 after she secured a $3 billion commitment from a large Canadian pension fund. With diversity a growing issue for both lenders and investors, it is pleasing to report that half of the Brinley investment team and more than 50 percent of its employees are women.

ESG has emerged as a growing theme in debt markets over the last decade. The Responsible Investor of the Year categories are some of our most keenly fought contests, so hats off to Blackstone Credit, Oak Hill Advisors, Tikehau Capital and Pierfront Capital for triumphing this year.

Congratulations to all the winners and the runners-up. The following pages detail their achievements and show just how strongly the private debt in industry is thriving despite the headwinds.