UC Investments

UC Investments, the investment arm of the University of California, is responsible for managing the university's substantial portfolio, which includes retirement, endowment, working capital, and cash assets. As of August 1, 2024, the firm managed approximately $180 billion in assets. Its core mission is to implement investment policies and guidelines established by the UC Board of Regents, aiming to enhance value within a controlled risk framework. This strategic approach directly supports the University of California's fundamental missions of education, research, and public service, providing crucial financial stability and growth for its extensive system of campuses, academic health centers, and national laboratories.

The firm operates with a distinctive investment philosophy known as "The UC Investments Way," guided by ten principles that emphasize efficiency, risk management, concentration, and a focus on long-term value creation. This philosophy has led to a significant increase in passive investments in public index funds, which now constitute a substantial portion of their total assets under management. This shift has resulted in reduced fees, fewer external managers, and improved returns. UC Investments also actively integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into its investment decision-making, having divested from fossil fuel assets and committed over $1 billion to clean energy initiatives.

UC Investments engages in a broad spectrum of asset classes, including private equity, real estate, private debt, venture capital, funds of funds, infrastructure, natural resources, and impact investments. The firm has made notable strategic investments, such as a $4 billion commitment to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT), focusing on areas like student, staff, and affordable housing. They also play a pivotal role in fostering innovation by anchoring funds that invest in opportunities emerging from the University of California system across diverse disciplines like life sciences, technology, energy, agriculture, and materials.

The investment team at UC Investments is led by Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President Jagdeep Singh Bachher. The team comprises experienced professionals with expertise across various investment domains, including private equity, private credit, public equity, fixed income, real estate, and ESG integration. Their collective background and strategic approach enable the firm to navigate complex global markets and manage a diversified portfolio that benefits hundreds of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and retirees across the University of California system.