Kim Nguyen

Mirova, the sustainable investing affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM), has announced the establishment of a dedicated private assets team, within Natixis IM Australia, to support the continued growth of Mirova’s Energy Transition Infrastructure activities in Australia.

Australia has become a key destination for Mirova’s energy transition investments, supported by its renewable energy resources, growing infrastructure pipeline, supportive policy environment and increasing demand for private capital to fund the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

The move strengthens Natixis IM’s investment capabilities in Australia and reflects the growing importance of the market to Mirova’s Energy Transition Infrastructure (MET) strategies. Australia provides geographic diversification while offering a risk-return aligned with European markets.

Over recent years, Mirova has established a growing presence in the region from its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore. With more than AUD700m (EUR 450m) already invested across Australia and New Zealand1, through investments including clean energy enterprise TagEnergy, EV charging specialist JET Charge and renewables firm Yanara Australia2, the establishment of the Sydney-based team reflects Mirova’s growing commitment to the region and its confidence in the significant opportunities emerging from the energy transition.

The new Sydney team will initially consist of three professionals, including an Investment Director, an Investment Manager and an Investment Analyst3. The team will focus on originating, evaluating and supporting investments for Mirova’s Energy Transition Infrastructure platform, while helping deepen relationships with local investors, developers and industry stakeholders.

As part of this expansion, Kim Nguyen joins as Investment Director leading the Sydney-based team. Kim brings more than two decades of experience across infrastructure, energy and private markets, most recently serving as Executive Director, Investments at the NSW Government’s Energy Security Corporation and previously leading Foresight Group’s Australian business.

Danny King, Managing Director, Head of Australia and New Zealand, Natixis Investment Managers Australia, commented: “Demand from Australian and New Zealand investors for European energy transition infrastructure opportunities continues to grow. Establishing this investment team in Sydney will allow us to work even more closely with Mirova’s Energy Transition Infrastructure team in Paris while bringing that expertise closer to our local client base. As clients look to deploy more capital in Europe, this local capability will strengthen our ability to connect them directly with Mirova’s investment expertise, origination capabilities, and opportunity set across the region. It also reflects our long-term confidence in the Australian market and our commitment to expanding Natixis Investment Managers’ capabilities across the region.”

Raphaël Lance, Deputy General Manager, Global Head of Private Assets, Mirova, added: ”Australia has become a strategic market for Mirova’s private assets platform and one of the most dynamic regions globally for energy transition investment. We have already built meaningful experience and strong local relationships through our investments across the region. A dedicated presence in Sydney is a natural next step that will strengthen our origination capabilities, deepen our engagement with market participants and support the continued growth of our Energy Transition Infrastructure activities across Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”
The team will be employed by Natixis Investment Managers Australia and provide investment advice to Mirova in relation to its private market investment activities.

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With particular strengths in solar and bioenergy, Foresight manages more than A$3.7 billion of energy infrastructure assets; including more than 100 operating solar plants in the UK, Southern Europe, and Australia. In 2017, Foresight established itself as one of the largest solar investors in Australia; managing A$400 million across four Queensland solar farms and the Bannerton project in Victoria, a 192 hectare site that can generate enough clean electricity to power 30,000 homes. Foresight is now expanding operations in Australia to mirror its diverse portfolio in Europe, covering other energy assets including wind, bioenergy, and flexible generation, for example battery storage and reserve power.

Nguyen will oversee the launch of a series of innovative investment products that will enable Australian investors to take advantage of the growing renewable energy sector. The Foresight Renewable Energy Income Fund (“FREIF”) is due to launch in August this year and will look to maximise the opportunities in Australia’s debt markets to provide an attractive risk-adjusted return on infrastructure debt to Australian wholesale investors. Volatility and downward pressure in the Australian equities and property market is creating increased appetite for diversified investment strategies, with investors increasingly turning to renewables and infrastructure for an attractive and reliable alternative source of investment income.

Kim Nguyen commented: “Renewable energy is a rapidly growing market in Australia, and this creates a plethora of investment opportunities over the coming years. This offers savvy investors a compelling alternative at a time when traditional equities and property strategies are becoming less attractive.

“Foresight’s extensive experience, in mature and diverse markets, gives it a strategic advantage in creating innovative and leading products for the Australian market. It’s about identifying the right opportunities and creatively structuring solutions for wholesale investors that are looking for new asset classes.”

Nigel Aitchison, Head of Infrastructure, Foresight, commented: “Kim Nguyen is hugely qualified to lead our Australian operations. She has an impressive track record with market leaders. She will provide the guidance and innovative leadership that will create value for Foresight, its investors, and the Australian economy.”

Ms Nguyen’s career has spanned transactions, strategy and asset management across solar, wind, biogas, biomass, hydro and infrastructure projects. She has significant funds management and investments experience from previous roles with Macquarie Capital, Origin Energy, Hastings Funds Management and having established her own investment advisory consultancy.

Kim Nguyen added: “I’m excited to be joining the Foresight team in Sydney at a time when there is increasing appetite from investors for the predictable revenue streams that renewable infrastructure assets can provide. I look forward to leveraging Foresight’s UK and European track record for the benefit of Australian investors. It’s the right time to expand Foresight’s Australian offering to provide wholesale investors with access to this growing asset class.”

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