Churchill Asset Management, the U.S. asset management company of Nuveen Private Capital, launched its capital solutions strategy and appointed Noah Charney as managing director and head of capital solutions.
Charney will jointly report to Mat Linett, head of senior lending, and Jason Strife, head of junior capital and private equity solutions, and serve on the capital solutions investment committee. He will be based in Churchill’s New York City headquarters.
The capital solutions strategy provides customized financing solutions for private equity sponsor-backed middle market companies where greater structuring flexibility is needed to address evolving capital needs. It will invest primarily in senior secured opportunities, while selectively utilizing junior capital where appropriate, to support balance sheet optimization, complex buyouts, add-on acquisitions, maturity extensions and other bespoke financing situations. The strategy launches with a capital commitment from parent company, TIAA, providing a strong institutional foundation from inception. Through Nuveen Private Capital, it also benefits from the experience and capabilities of Arcmont Asset Management’s established European Capital Solutions platform.
“Capital solutions is a natural extension of our platform, building on the trusted relationships we’ve developed with private equity sponsors over the last two decades,” Linett said. “Our scale, partnership approach and the breadth of Nuveen Private Capital position us to support clients across a broader range of capital needs while remaining focused on the core middle market. Noah’s deep experience sourcing, structuring and investing in complex transactions makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead this business.”
Charney joins Churchill from King Street Capital Management, where he spent more than 13 years in leadership roles, including head of capital solutions and head of capital markets. He also served as a member of the opportunistic credit fund steering committee. Previously, he held research analyst roles at Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, GoldenTree Asset Management and Bear Stearns.
“As private equity holding periods continue to extend, sponsors increasingly need financing partners that can provide greater flexibility for their portfolio companies,” Strife said. “Capital solutions broadens our ability to work alongside sponsors across a wider range of situations, helping strong businesses continue investing in growth and executing on their long-term strategic objectives.”
Charney added, “Churchill has built one of the industry’s premier middle market private capital platforms through its differentiated origination, disciplined underwriting and institutional pedigree, anchored by TIAA. The firm’s reputation, culture and long-term approach make it an ideal platform to build this strategy. I’m excited to join the team and partner with sponsors to solve increasingly complex financing challenges.”
In addition, Robin Russell has joined Churchill as managing director on its capital solutions team, where she will focus on underwriting and structuring investments. Russell brings more than 25 years of investment experience across performing and non-performing credit. Prior to joining Churchill, she held investment roles at Cyrus Capital Partners, Bennett Capital Management, Onex Credit and Jefferies.
