Abu Dhabi PE manager takes minority stake in La Trobe Financial

Yasmine Raso

Senior Journalist

20 April 2026

Abu Dhabi-based private equity investment firm, Axight, has acquired a minority stake in La Trobe Financial off fellow PE giant and remaining majority owner, Brookfield.

The transaction sees La Trobe Financial valued at $3 billion and comes as the investment manager grew its total assets under management (AUM) from $14 billion to $23 billion in the four years since it was acquired by Brookfield.

Founded by global investment firm, Lunate, which boasts over US$115 billion in AUM, Axight brings a wealth of Asia Pacific investment capabilities to the deal, which will also leverage the combined alternatives and private markets expertise of La Trobe Financial and Brookfield.

La Trobe Financial chief executive, Chris Andrews, said the transaction reflects the manager’s “strength and maturity” and speaks to its long-term growth potential across Asia-Pacific real estate credit and investment markets.

“This transaction is a strong endorsement of La Trobe Financial’s position as one of Australia’s most recognised asset managers, with more than A$23 billion in assets under management and a 70‑year+ track record through multiple economic cycles,” he said.

“It reflects the quality and resilience of our platform, the depth of our investor base, and the significant growth opportunities we see across Australian real estate credit and investment markets.”

The Australian head of Brookfield’s private equity group, Shiv Gupta, said the firm has “high conviction” in La Trobe’s long-term value.

“The business has added $3 billion in AUM during the last 12 months alone and with structural tailwinds – including an ageing population, growing superannuation balances and an estimated $7.5 trillion in household financial assets – the opportunity ahead is significant,” he said.

“We are pleased to welcome Axight and together will work alongside management to help La Trobe Financial execute on its strategy of delivering consistent, risk-aware returns to investors and reliable, specialist credit solutions to borrowers.”

“We look forward to partnering with Brookfield to support the next phase of growth at La Trobe Financial, leveraging its scale, origination capabilities, and diversified funding model,” Axight co-managing partners, Mujtaba Hussain and Jerry He, said.

“This transaction reflects our strategy on partnering with high-quality platforms underpinned by strong fundamentals, resilient business models, outstanding management teams and clear pathways for long-term value creation.”

The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of 2026.