Blackfinch unveils infrastructure and property funds

Blackfinch Group has launched two infrastructure and property funds, which seek to invest in the "next generation" of global growth themes, International Investment's sister brand Investment Week can reveal.

The IFSL Blackfinch NextGen Infrastructure fund will invest in listed infrastructure companies that have strong sustainability credentials and are benefitting from the themes of digitalisation, energy transition and sustainable urbanisation.

The fund sits in the Investment Association's Infrastructure sector, with an ongoing charges figure of 0.91%.

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Meanwhile, the IFSL Blackfinch NextGen Property Securities fund will invest in REITs and other listed property companies with strong ESG credentials.

The fund will aim to invest in firms advancing the key themes of digitalisation, sustainable urbanisation, ageing demographics and an emerging middle class, and sits in the IA's Property Other sector, with has an OCF of 0.90%.

A minimum of 75% of both portfolios will be invested in developed markets.

The two funds, which launched on 30 October, are managed by recently promoted fund manager George Nikolaou and CIO of listed investments Dan Appleby.

Nikolaou, who was promoted to manager in May, was previously a senior research analyst at Blackfinch, having joined the firm in January of this year. He previously worked at firms including Gravis and Thomas Miller Investment.

Blackfinch has appointed the Marlborough Group's Investment Fund Services Limited (IFSL) as the funds' authorised corporate director.

The new funds aim to complement the firm's existing multi-asset investment capabilities, including its recently launched tailored portfolio service, it said.

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Appleby said: "Our new funds provide investors with exposure to infrastructure companies and REITs growth is being driven by powerful trends that are changing the way people around the world live and work.

"We believe these trends will transform infrastructure and property investing over the years ahead and our funds provide investors with an exciting opportunity to focus on the strong growth potential of these next-generation themes at what is still an early stage.

"The funds represent an exciting evolution in our offering at Blackfinch. As an organisation, we are committed to closely monitoring the world around us and looking for opportunities to support sustainable positive change by adapting the range of investments we bring to market."