Key Takeaways
- • KPMG's 2025 Global CEO Outlook for Asset Management and Private Equity finds sector leaders growing increasingly bullish, with nearly a quarter expecting outsized earnings over the next three years.
- • Deployment activity is expected to accelerate sharply while disposals follow, as valuation gaps narrow and managers shift focus to executing strategic M&A.
- • AI and digitalisation remain central to value creation, with CEOs confident in their skills to convert AI investments into tangible value uplift, though cyber security remains a top concern.
- • Talent competition is expected to stay intense, prompting firms to upskill staff, update workplace models, and form new partnerships to drive AI adoption.
- • Sector leaders are increasingly focused on measuring the financial return on ESG initiatives and reporting metrics that satisfy investors and regulators.
Summary
Asset management and private equity CEOs have moved from optimism to confidence, according to KPMG's 2025 Global CEO Outlook for the sector, which the firm published as a survey-based report. Nearly a quarter of respondents expect outsized earnings over the next three years. KPMG expects deployment volumes to rise significantly, with exits following as valuation gaps narrow and managers concentrate on executing strategic M&A.
Value creation remains a top priority, driven by investment in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. According to the report, sector CEOs are clear about how AI will generate competitive advantages for their funds, their organisations and their portfolio companies, and the vast majority say they have the skills and capabilities to turn those investments into tangible value. Cyber security is expected to remain a leading concern, as AI creates both new risks and new opportunities.
Maximising value will also require firms to adjust organisational skills and capabilities. Competition for top talent is expected to remain fierce. CEOs are responding by upskilling staff, updating workplace models and forming new partnerships to drive AI adoption and retraining, the report indicates.
Sustainability has become part of the value equation. Sector leaders say they are increasingly focused on understanding and unlocking the financial value of their ESG initiatives, including assessing the cost and value of sustainability investments and ensuring they report on metrics that meet the expectations of investors and regulators.
KPMG concludes that asset management and private equity leaders expect 2026 to bring increasing confidence and outsized growth.
Value creation remains a top priority, driven by investment in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. According to the report, sector CEOs are clear about how AI will generate competitive advantages for their funds, their organisations and their portfolio companies, and the vast majority say they have the skills and capabilities to turn those investments into tangible value. Cyber security is expected to remain a leading concern, as AI creates both new risks and new opportunities.
Maximising value will also require firms to adjust organisational skills and capabilities. Competition for top talent is expected to remain fierce. CEOs are responding by upskilling staff, updating workplace models and forming new partnerships to drive AI adoption and retraining, the report indicates.
Sustainability has become part of the value equation. Sector leaders say they are increasingly focused on understanding and unlocking the financial value of their ESG initiatives, including assessing the cost and value of sustainability investments and ensuring they report on metrics that meet the expectations of investors and regulators.
KPMG concludes that asset management and private equity leaders expect 2026 to bring increasing confidence and outsized growth.
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