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SPARK

Our Dedicated Programme for Small and Emerging Managers

We believe new entrants to the industry are vital to maintain a vibrant marketplace, bring innovation and competition to the industry, and provide more investment choices for allocators.

SBAI's Programme for small and emerging managers provides:

  • Advancement through opportunities to collaborate with peers and allocators (including those with dedicated emerging manager programmes),
  • Robustness of business operations through the Alternative Investment Standards, and
  • Knowledge of key industry trends through access to SBAI Communities, Working Groups, Events, and Toolbox Guidance.

SPARK - Transparency Tools

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04 Sep 2017

Administrator Transparency Reporting

Institutional investors require independent verification of key fund information. The Administrator Transparency Report (ATR) is a template for providing this information to allow investors to focus their conversations with asset managers. This memo details some of the key considerations for investors when using this reporting and provides an illustration of the contents of the ATR.

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03 Oct 2017

Standardised Total Expense Ratio

When there is divergence in market practices for disclosure, it is difficult for allocators to contrast different expense categories across different funds. Our Standardised Total Expense Ration provides a framework to calculate a single standardised expense ratio for reporting to investors.

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06 Nov 2019

Standardised Board Agenda

A template board agenda and documentation pack for fund directors, managers and investors.

 

SPARK - Guidance and Best Practice Memos

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20 May 2020

Alternative Credit - Valuation

Alternative Credit managers frequently trade assets that require a degree of subjective judgement in the valuation process. Fair value processes for direct loans and robust credit valuation frameworks are therefore essential and this memo discusses these themes.

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07 May 2019

ILS Funds - Valuation

ILS Funds typically invest in a spectrum of assets that may range from catastrophe bonds to private collateralised reinsurance structures. This memo contains detailed guidance on a robust ILS valuation framework consistent with our Alternative Investment Standards.

 

SPARK - Guidance on Industry Trends

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09 Mar 2021

Responsible Investment Policy Framework

There are growing expectations for asset managers to develop and disclose approaches to Responsible Investment. In this toolbox memo, we walk through the thought process on how to determine an approach, recommend policy disclosures and provide discussion points between allocators and asset managers.

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27 Sep 2021

Principles of Culture and Diversity Strategies

Culture and diversity is a big topic and can be challenging to know where to start. This report provides practical guidance in the form of five key principles for setting the culture and diversity strategy at your firm.

 

SPARK - How can the Standards Help?

The SBAI’s Alternative Investment Standards were developed in consultation with both allocators and asset managers. They assist with building a robust business and with an efficient investor due diligence process.

The Standards are publicly available for use but only SBAI Signatories receiving an official kitemark showcasing to investors they are in conformity with the Standards.