Hargreaves Lansdown has partnered with Schroders Capital to add two of its private markets long-term asset funds (LTAFs) to its platform.
The LTAFs will be added on 15 September.
HL said it is the first platform to offer LTAFs within the SIPP wrapper, allowing investors to access to diversified sources of investment growth for their long-term financial future.
The LTAF vehicle was introduced in 2021 by the Government to encourage more investment in long-term, illiquid assets, such as venture capital, private equity and private debt, real estate and infrastructure.
Under the new tie-up eligible HL investors will have access to global private equity and energy transition infrastructure capabilities managed by Schroders Capital from next week.
Emma Wall, head of platform investments at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “For retail investors with a long-term investment horizon, the appropriate knowledge and resources, and as part of a well-diversified portfolio, private markets can play an important role in delivering unique growth opportunities beyond what is typically available in public markets.
“Our client and digital teams have worked closely with our colleagues in legal and compliance to ensure that HL’s online journey is both simple to navigate but, more importantly, implements the right restrictions and risk controls associated with restricted mass market investments such as LTAFs.”
James Lowe, director, private markets, Schroders Capital, said: “This marks a watershed moment for the accessibility of private markets for eligible retail investors in the UK.”
The LTAF is a category of authorised open-ended fund specifically designed to invest efficiently in long-term, illiquid assets. These include private equity, infrastructure, private debt, real estate and venture capital. These investments can have a higher risk of loss than diversified portfolios of listed equities or bonds.
ETFs, mutual funds and investment trusts are suitable for most investors, but LTAFs are only suitable for those investors with a high level of knowledge, experience, or financial resources that allows them to understand less liquid and higher risk investments. LTAFs can only be bought and sold at set times (monthly or quarterly).
LTAFs can be held in SIPPs and Innovative Finance ISAs. From April 2026, eligible investors are expected to be able to also access LTAFs through a stocks & shares ISA.