Tikehau Capital is planning to buy Star America Infrastructure Partners in a deal that will enable Tikehau to expand its expertise in real assets.

The €25.4bn asset manager said it is in exclusive negotiations to acquire the smaller peer which specialises in mid-market infrastructure in North America.

Founded in 2011, Star America manages over $600m of assets. The company specialises in infrastructure projects – especially through public-private partnerships – in transportation, social infrastructure, environment and communications.

Tikehau said the acquisition, subject to closing, would strengthen its expertise in infrastructure assets, “beyond its recognised know-how in real estate”.

“Thus, this transaction would allow the group to diversify its subsidiaries to a new growing asset class, as well as enhancing its geographic footprint in North America.”

Mathieu Chabran, co-founder of Tikehau Capital, and Tim Grell, head of Tikehau Capital North America, said: “This proposed acquisition of Star America Infrastructure Partners is a new step towards the development of Tikehau Capital in North America and will strengthen our expertise in the management of real estate and infrastructure assets.”

Bill Marino, co-founder, managing partner and CEO, and Christophe Petit, co-founder, managing partner and president of Star America, said: “Star America will add infrastructure and real assets as a new core competency to Tikehau Capital’s already stellar and global platform.

“Infrastructure and real assets are one of the fastest asset class in the asset management business and we look forward to contributing to Tikehau’s development plans in the space.”

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