Nicole Downer has been an integral part of MV Credit since 2005, serving as the Managing Partner and Co-head of Business Development. In this role, she has been instrumental in driving the growth of MV Credit’s assets under management (AUM) while managing strategic relationships with clients and leading the development of product solutions for investors.

Nicole’s contributions extend beyond her business development responsibilities, as she also serves as a member of both the Management Committee and Investment Committee at MV Credit. Before joining MV Credit, Nicole held the position of Managing Director at Deutsche Bank, where she successfully led the Structured Securitization Team.

With extensive experience in credit and structuring roles, Nicole had previously worked at Bankers Trust and Deutsche Bank. She obtained a first-class Bachelor of Science degree in Banking & International Finance from City University in London.

In an interview with Eventible, Nicole speaks about her journey so far, her strategies to stay up-to-date with the latest financial investment trends and changes, what sets MV Credit apart from the rest of its competitors, her experience speaking at AIM Summit London 2023, and more!

Can you tell us about your background and how you got started in MV Credit?

My choice of study in Banking and Finance really shaped my perspectives in terms of career direction. It was the launch pad for my career at Banker’s Trust, where I worked in Real estate, Leveraged buyouts, asset financing, and securitization. I subsequently joined the securitization group Deutsche Bank where I ran the Structured Securitization Team until 2005. At that point, I was looking for a new challenge combined with a more sustainable work-life balance which was what working at MV Credit provided me.

• How do you stay current with the latest financial investment trends and changes?

My role at MV Credit means I have regular opportunity to meet with peers in the industry, and I subscribe to international news and analyses from key industry publications. Also, constant contact with our investors provides insights as I see how macroeconomics affects their investment decisions. 

• Can you walk us through your process for identifying private credit opportunities?

We apply a rigorous screening process, and investments are sourced through strong, long-term relationships with reputable private equity sponsors. In terms of the private credit itself, we prioritize businesses with market-leading positions in stable sectors. Less cyclical, defensive industries such as IT and the healthcare sector are typical of some of the industry sectors we invest in.

• What do you think sets your MV Credit strategy apart from others?

Our relationships with Private Equity sponsors have delivered consistent returns across multiple macroeconomic cycles, including the 2008 financial crisis. In addition, a focus on downside protection, an extensive due diligence process, and the unparalleled 20+ years of experience of the senior team here at MV Credit, I believe, sets as apart. Responsible investing – Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) is one of the major focus areas for us. Our ESG screening process means we only invest in companies and technologies that enable more environmentally friendly outcomes. This provides peace of mind, not just for us but for the wider investment community.

• How do you measure the success of MV Credit? 

As direct lenders, our success is measured by limiting losses to provide strong returns for our investors over multiple cycles.  We strive to do this by supporting market-leading, sustainable companies in defensive sectors owned by reputable private equity sponsors. Also, we do our best to nurture and support members of the MV Credit team because, with them, we can deliver the high-caliber service we have become known for in the private debt market.

• What advice would you give someone just starting in the Private Debt market? 

Believe in yourself and the value you bring. And above all, be open-minded and research ways into the industry, whether it’s on the Deal Side, Fundraising, Structuring, or Business Development. I would also advise that doing Due Diligence on prospective employers always pays off. For instance, do they have a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy? Finally, when you get your first role, start to build business networks and use these to develop further ideas about what you would like to do next.

• Tell us about your experience at the AIM Summit London. What was your biggest takeaway?

For me, it was the breadth of the topics covered, from the ‘Opportunities and challenges in the Private Credit market’ to ‘Decarbonisation – investing in clean energy’ delivered by industry experts, which attracted key decision makers from the alternative investment world. It was also refreshing to see the diversity on speaker panels –the organizers of AIM deserve recognition for this.

• Eventible.com is a review platform catering to B2B events. Given how review-driven our lives have become today, will reviews bring transparency to the events industry? Would you rely on event reviews from other speakers if you had to make a speaking decision?

Yes, absolutely.