Mallis switches from First Avenue to Pantheon

Justin Mallis, who was involved in numerous private credit fundraisings as a principal at placement agent First Avenue, has moved to private markets investment firm Pantheon.

A US national, Mallis worked in the London office of First Avenue and remains in the UK capital for his new role as global head of project management in the client service team at Pantheon.

At First Avenue, Mallis – among other strategies – helped raise private debt funds. During his tenure, the firm advised the likes of Crescent Capital, Permira Debt Managers and MezzVest.

A spokesperson for Pantheon, while acknowledging that Mallis would complement the firm’s existing private credit expertise, said he would contribute to the “overall mix of strategies” which are focused around private equity, infrastructure and real assets. The strategies cover primaries, secondaries and co-investment globally.

“Justin brings valuable external experience from a similar role at a global placement agent, alongside deep experience from working at various US pension consultants, specialising in alternatives,” said Susan Long McAndrews, partner at Pantheon, in a statement.

Pantheon, which invests on behalf of over 475 groups, has more than $37 billion in assets under management. At the same time as the Mallis announcement, it revealed it has also hired Michael Hutten from boutique investment firm Hatteras Funds as a North Carolina-based principal in its US Private Wealth Initiative.