BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Global Asset Management dedicated to responsible investing, has entered into discussions to acquire a majority equity interest in London-based impact investment manager Althelia Ecosphere (Althelia).
Althelia is dedicated to sourcing and financing sustainable land use, biodiversity, and ecosystem-based climate activities, with an emphasis on blended value investments that deliver the highest caliber social, environmental and economic performance.
The planned acquisition of Althelia would represent a major step forward in Mirova’s ambition to become a leading sustainable alternative asset manager. The combined firm would create a European platform dedicated to natural capital investing, operating from London and Paris. It would strive to develop innovative investment solutions, through the financing of activities addressing major global environmental challenges such as climate change, protection of landscapes, biodiversity, soil and marine resources. The natural capital platform would benefit from Althelia’s technical experience, recognized know-how and four-year track-record in conservation finance – a great addition to Mirova’s existing project finance capabilities as well as their environmental, social, and supply chain experts. Put together, these resources would provide the strategic vision for growth, strong investment processes, and support functions needed to scale up this natural capital investing business.
Upon completion of the proposed transaction, expected within the next few weeks, the management partners of Althelia would continue to hold a substantial portion of the equity of the business. A progressive withdrawal mechanism would then align medium-term interests and gradually increase Mirova’s stake in Althelia over the next five years.
“We are pleased to partner with Althelia and have tremendous respect for the experience and talent of the team,” said Philippe Zaouati, Chief Executive Officer of Mirova. “We strongly believe that natural capital is the next frontier of impact investment and both specialist skills and a critical size are required to successfully address this nascent but promising market.”
Sylvain Goupille, Founder and Director of Althelia, stated: “Joining forces with an entrepreneurial company such as Mirova, backed by a large organization, is a winning choice in terms of business development and an important step to move ecosystem-based finance into the mainstream investment space.”
“We share the same professional and ethical values as Mirova. The in-depth expertise of its Responsible Investment Research department and natural capital investing team will complement our on-the-ground experience and commitment to delivering impact in natural capital investing,” said Christian Del Valle, Founder and Director of Althelia.
Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. Investment risk exists with equity, fixed-income, and alternative investments. There is no assurance that any investment will meet its performance objectives or that losses will be avoided.
About Mirova
Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Global Asset
Management, offers a global responsible investing approach with a single
offer revolving around 5 pillars: equities, bonds, infrastructure,
Impact investing, voting and engagement. Mirova brings together 70
multi-disciplinary experts and has €6.9 billion of assets under
management. Mirova’s fund range is distributed by Natixis Global Asset
Management’s global distribution platform and Groupe BPCE’s two retail
networks, and is designed for all types of investors, both professional
and non-professional. (Figures as at March 31, 2017)
About Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC and Mirova
Natixis
AM U.S. provides access to investment solutions that benefit from the
extensive resources of a leading European asset management group.
Natixis AM U.S. launched in 2014, is a U.S.-based investment adviser,
majority-owned by Natixis Asset Management and minority-owned by Mirova
with $423 million in assets under management (as of 12/31/16). Natixis
AM U.S. utilizes the expertise of Mirova, which is operated in the U.S.
through Natixis AM U.S.
About Althelia Ecosphere
Althelia Ecosphere is mission
driven to design and implement a new model that will reverse depletion
of natural capital – one that works for the benefit of present and
future generations of life on Earth. This model aims to address the
drivers of deforestation and unsustainable land-use. Through a focus on
blended value investments that deliver the highest calibre social,
environmental and economic performance, we aim to demonstrate that
financial performance can be fully aligned with sound environmental
stewardship and social development.
Althelia manages investment funds with a diverse portfolio of investments from Africa, South America and Asia that comprise of real assets and environmental services (verified emissions reductions and other ecosystem services). Althelia is a founding member of the GIIN – Global Impact Investing Network and part of ImpactAssets 50, a select group of impact investing fund managers.
About Natixis Global Asset Management
Natixis Global Asset
Management serves thoughtful investment professionals worldwide with
more insightful ways to invest. Through our Durable Portfolio
Construction® approach, we focus on risk to help them
construct more strategic portfolios that seek to endure today’s
unpredictable markets. We draw from deep investor and industry insights
and partner closely with our clients to put objective data behind the
discussion.
Natixis Global Asset Management is ranked among the world’s largest asset management firms.1 Uniting over 20 specialized investment managers globally ($895.6 billion AUM2), we bring a diverse range of solutions to every strategic opportunity. From insight to action, Natixis Global Asset Management helps our clients better serve their own with more durable portfolios.
Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A.
is part of Natixis. Listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, Natixis is a
subsidiary of BPCE, the second-largest banking group in France. Natixis
Global Asset Management, S.A.’s affiliated investment management firms
and distribution and service groups include Active Index Advisors;3
AEW Capital Management; AEW Europe; AlphaSimplex Group; Axeltis; Darius
Capital Partners; DNCA Investments;4 Dorval Finance;5
Emerise;6 Gateway Investment Advisers; H2O Asset Management;5
Harris Associates; IDFC Asset Management Company; Loomis, Sayles &
Company; Managed Portfolio Advisors;3 McDonnell Investment
Management; Mirova;5,7 Natixis Asset Management; Ossiam;
Seeyond;7 Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; Vega
Investment Managers; and Natixis Global Asset Management Private Equity,
which includes Seventure Partners, Naxicap Partners, Alliance
Entreprendre, Euro Private Equity, Caspian Private Equity and Eagle Asia
Partners. Not all offerings available in all jurisdictions.
For
additional information, please visit the company’s website at ngam.natixis.com
| LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/natixis-global-asset-management
NGAM Distribution, L.P., is a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by affiliates of Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. NGAM Distribution, L.P. is located at 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. • 800-862-4863 • ngam.natixis.com
1 Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2016
ranked Natixis Global Asset Management, S.A. as the 16th
largest asset manager in the world based on assets under management
($870.3 billion) as of December 31, 2015.
2
Net asset value as of March 31, 2017. Assets under management (AUM) may
include assets for which non-regulatory AUM services are provided.
Non-regulatory AUM includes assets which do not fall within the SEC’s
definition of ‘regulatory AUM’ in Form ADV, Part 1.
3 A
division of NGAM Advisors, L.P.
4 A brand
of DNCA Finance.
5 A subsidiary of Natixis
Asset Management.
6 A brand of Natixis
Asset Management and Natixis Asset Management Asia Limited, based in
Singapore and Paris.
7 Operated in the
U.S. through Natixis Asset Management U.S., LLC.
