Nordic fund manager Niam is expanding its offering by setting up an infrastructure investment platform to focus on sustainable infrastructure investments in the Nordic region and Northern Europe.

Niam, which has since 1998 offered institutional investors the opportunity to invest in Nordic properties, is now expanding its offering with the launched Niam Infrastructure.

The manager said new infrastructure platform has raised an undisclosed amount of capital at first close for a debut fund. Niam said the fund, which targets small to medium-sized investments, is expected to announce its first investment shortly.

Niam Infrastructure is being led by founding partner Sverker Åkerblom, who most recently worked for BlackRock and was in charge of renewable energy investments in continental Europe.

Åkerblom said: “Niam has a unique position to build a leading Nordic infrastructure investment platform. The infrastructure team will work closely with Niam’s existing real estate team to deliver synergies for all our investors and together we will work tirelessly to become the leading Nordic investor in real assets.”

Jennifer Andersson, a managing partner at Niam, said: “In recent years, we have seen a clear increase in demand for infrastructure. For Niam to launch this platform is a natural next step in our long-term strategy to become the leading Nordic manager in real assets.”

Andersson said Niam continues its commitment to fundraising, investment pace and active management in the real estate market and the team behind it remains.

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