Davidson Kempner Capital Management is preparing to enter the UK's pension risk-transfer market through a new superfund platform, joining a growing number of alternative asset managers seeking exposure to defined-benefit pension liabilities, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The New York-based firm's Genwood unit has appointed former Standard Life executives Tom Ground and Kunal Sood as directors, according to regulatory filings. Established earlier this year, Genwood is expected to operate as a pension superfund, acquiring corporate pension schemes and supporting their liabilities with external capital. The platform has yet to receive regulatory assessment or publicly outline its investment strategy.

The move comes as alternative investment managers increasingly compete with traditional life insurers for access to the UK's £1tn-plus defined-benefit pension market. Insurers backed by Apollo Global Management and Brookfield entered the sector through acquisitions worth a combined $10.7bn last year, reflecting growing institutional interest in managing long-term pension assets.

Superfund operators estimate that their platforms could eventually consolidate more than £500bn in corporate pension liabilities, generating returns by investing scheme assets while meeting ongoing pension obligations. Sixth Street-backed Clara Pensions has already completed seven transactions covering more than 23,500 members and £1.6bn in assets, while TPT Retirement Solutions recently secured regulatory clearance for an initial £1bn to £1.5bn of transactions.

Alternative asset managers are also exploring sponsor swaps, which allow third-party investors to assume responsibility for corporate pension schemes while retaining their existing structures. Aberdeen Group completed a £1.2bn pension sponsorship transaction involving Stagecoach last year, while Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Schroders are reportedly examining similar opportunities.

Davidson Kempner's proposed expansion highlights growing interest among hedge funds and private capital managers in securing long-duration investment capital through pension consolidation, as competition intensifies for the UK's retirement assets.