Foresight appoints Kim Nguyen as head of Australian operations

One of Australia’s largest solar investors hires Australia Head as it prepares to expand its offering to private investors

• Leading UK-based infrastructure fund manager says Nguyen will lead the launch of new local investment products with a focus on energy and infrastructure

• Nguyen has global experience in energy and infrastructure projects in Australia, Europe, Asia, South and North America

SYDNEY, June 27 – Global infrastructure and private equity investment manager Foresight Group LLP (“Foresight”) has appointed Kim Nguyen head of its Australian operations to lead Foresight’s expansion in the energy infrastructure sector in Australia. Ms Nguyen will join Foresight in June to lead the team in Sydney.

Foresight is a leading global infrastructure and private equity asset manager with A$5.3 billion under management, including significant investments in renewable energy projects.

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.”