Blackfinch Group has introduced two new infrastructure and property funds – the IFSL Blackfinch NextGen Infrastructure and IFSL Blackfinch NextGen Property Securities funds.
The portfolios will be managed by George Nikolaou and CIO of listed investments Dr Dan Appleby, investing within the world of digitalisation, ageing demographics, and urbanisation.
The infrastructure fund will have an ongoing charge fee of 0.91% while the property fund will charge 0.90%. Both will have a minimum of 75% of holdings within developed markets.
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“Our new funds provide investors with exposure to infrastructure companies and real estate investment trusts [REITs] whose growth is being driven by powerful trends that are changing the way people around the world live and work,” Appleby said.
“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 infrastructure fund will look for companies under the umbrella of digitalisation, energy transition, and sustainable urbanisation, which could include businesses such as cell phone towers, data centres, energy storage and renewable energy generation, healthcare infrastructure and sustainable waste disposal.
The property security fund will invest in REITS and other property companies under the themes of digitalisation, sustainable urbanisation, ageing demographics, and emerging middle classes. Companies could include patient medical facilities, student housing, data centres, and e-commerce logistics sites.
“The launch of the NextGen funds is complemented by the TPS established by Blackfinch earlier this year. The TPS offers financial adviser firms the opportunity to design their own product range when they feel they have outgrown their current centralised investment proposition,” Appleby said.
“We can employ to maximum effect the multi-disciplinary investment expertise available across the group to shape innovative solutions that meet the changing needs of our financial adviser community, so that businesses, communities and individuals can thrive.”
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Officially launched on 30 October, the funds function through the Marlborough Group’s Investment Fund Services Limited (IFSL).
Allan Hamer, CEO of IFSL, said: “We’re delighted Blackfinch chose to appoint IFSL as ACD for their new funds. It’s an important role, acting as an independent steward helping to safeguard the best interests of a fund’s investors, and we take our responsibilities very seriously.
“We have a highly experienced team at IFSL who not only provide robust oversight and governance, but can also offer guidance and support at every stage in the process of designing, launching and successfully operating funds.”
