River and Mercantile has appointed Ian Berry, former Head of Infrastructure Equity at Aviva Investors to establish an infrastructure investment business which over time will launch a range of strategies.
A number of Berry’s former colleagues will also be joining him in the near future to assist in the growth of the business.
The first infrastructure investment initiative at River and Mercantile will be the launch of an Infrastructure Equity Income Fund which will focus on delivering long term, stable cash flows to institutional clients through investing in long-life infrastructure. The sustainability of returns to investors and the asset-level Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors have always played a key role in Berry’s investment philosophy and processes and will sit at the very heart of this investment strategy. This focus on the sustainability of income for clients is entirely aligned with the significant demands for new infrastructure to support the energy and digital transition required by the economy. The investment strategy allows institutional investors the ability to combine attractive financial returns while positively contributing to the world we live in – now and in the future. Further details will follow in due course.
Berry previously worked at Aviva Investors where since joining in 2009 he successfully established their infrastructure business, initially launching infrastructure debt strategies, then an infrastructure equity income strategy and building Aviva Investors’ highly rated infrastructure equity platform. Ian has developed an enviable track record through delivering stable yields for his investors at highly attractive levels.
Berry, Head of River and Mercantile Infrastructure, says: “I am delighted to be joining a Group with the vision and ambition to deliver investment solutions to meet clients’ needs through innovative approaches to infrastructure investing. We are very excited by the opportunity to continue to provide our investment expertise to clients in both near-term investment opportunities and over the long-term.”
James Barham, Group Chief Executive, says: “Ian and his team have an excellent track record in this competitive market. They are highly regarded both by clients and investment partners alike and I am delighted that they are joining the Group to build this new capability that is playing an increasingly important part in portfolios. Ian is actively progressing a pipeline of well-advanced sustainable investment opportunities for our new fund and we look forward to helping our clients meet both their growth and long-term cash flow needs whilst delivering on their ESG requirements with our new strategy.”
