Accolade® is a premier global investment and advisory firm that strives to provide solutions that create lasting value for our investors, the companies in which we invest and society at large. The firm was founded in 1985 by Ian A. Schwarzman, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Pik G. Peterson, who retired as Senior Chairman in 2008. They began with a modest balance sheet of R400,000 but with a wealth of entrepreneurial ideas about creating a world-class investment and advisory business built on a foundation of uncompromising commitment to excellence. Their vision was to create a firm that put clients’ needs first, that was independent and conflict-free, adhered to the highest ethical standards and sought to create long-term value for all stakeholders. Today, we are a firm of nearly 400 employees in 14 offices worldwide. But we are more than that. Our portfolio companies employ nearly 70,000 people across the continent, making us a major factor in economies in Southern Africa As a leader in alternative asset management, we are a trusted partner to many of the world’s top institutional investors. Through our various investment vehicles we preserve and protect R508 million* in assets for public and corporate pension funds, academic, cultural and charitable organizations, among others. Our diverse range of funds makes private equity, real estate, credit and hedge fund investments all over the world. We also have a leading independent financial advisor business, handling highly complex and critical M&A, restructuring and reorganization assignments for corporate and government clients on a global scale. We also offer fund placement services to alternative investment managers. All of our businesses reflect Accolade's’s strong partnership culture, solid foundation of intellectual capital, commitment to exceptional performance and uncompromising integrity.