Singapore -- INSEAD, the leading international business school, last week announced the launch of its Global Private Equity Initiative (GPEI). The Initiative combines the energies and talents of the school's research and educational capabilities with INSEAD alumni and global professionals in the private equity industry. The GPEI’s primary focus is to develop research on new frontiers in the private equity industry, specifically on topics related to emerging markets and the needs of limited partners.

With INSEAD’s global presence through its three campuses in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the GPEI is uniquely positioned to provide targeted studies and perspectives to assist the private equity community with investing in different regions, according to an INSEAD press release.

Based in INSEAD’s latest campus in Abu Dhabi, the GPEI is co-directed by Philip Anderson, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Academic Director of INSEAD’s Abu Dhabi Campus; and Claudia Zeisberger, Affiliate Professor of Decision Sciences and Programme Director of the Centre for Decision Making and Risk Analysis (CDMRA). Its Executive Director is Laura Morales, a July 2001 INSEAD alumna.

‘As the global economy emerges from the financial crisis and private equity firms seek new opportunities to deploy capital, the industry will benefit from original research and insights for leveraging capital in fast-growing markets,’ commented Ms Zeisberger.

Zeisberger is scheduled to host two sessions at the renowned SuperReturn International 2010 Conference. The event, which will take place in Berlin on 8-11 February 2010, is the leading global private equity forum and attracts the most respected thinkers and successful companies in the private equity world.

At the SuperReturn Conference on 10 February 2010, IPEN, INSEAD’s Private Equity Network in sponsorship with Macquarie Capital, will host a private equity networking luncheon to share the GPEI’s upcoming research and global activities. The luncheon is open to INSEAD alumni in the private equity industry.

Following the luncheon, Zeisberger will also be chairing the ‘Private Equity Hall of Fame’ session which includes a Q&A discussion with Greg Brenneman, Chairman of CCMP Capital Advisors; Steve Tappin, CEO of Xinfu and author of the book ‘The Secrets of CEOs’; Paul Thompson, former CEO of FTSE 100 Resolutions; and James Bilefield, President of Conde Nast International Digital.