Gresham House has secured over €250m in initial capital for its international sustainable forestry strategy, anchored by UK local government pension scheme (LGPS) Worcestershire Pension Fund and Australian superannuation fund NGS Super.
The specialist alternative asset manager said NGS Super’s commitment to the Sustainable International Forestry Strategy Platform represents the first Australian superannuation fund investor in a Gresham House strategy platform.
The Sustainable International Forestry Strategy targets a diversified, mixed-age and multi-species portfolio of productive, sustainably managed timberland and afforestation assets across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland and continental Europe with additional co-investment opportunities, the manager said.
Tony Dalwood, CEO, Gresham House, said: “Reaching over €250m in this first close with two cornerstone investors underscores both the strength of the forestry asset class and our track record managing it at scale. We’re delighted to deepen our UK LGPS relationships and welcome NGS Super as our first Australian superannuation fund investor.
“The Strategy Platform is designed to capture long-term opportunities associated with sustainable forestry and natural capital. We are proud to partner with forward-looking investors who recognise the role forestry plays in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Adrian Hardmann, chair of the pension committee, Worcestershire Pension Fund, said: “Forestry offers diversification, inflation linkage and tangible environmental benefits.
“Our commitment to the Gresham House Sustainable International Forestry Strategy Platform diversifies our existing exposure and reflects our conviction in sustainable real assets and our belief in the importance of investing in natural capital for the long term.”
Ben Squires, chief investment officer, NGS Super, said: “As a strategy platform with a long-term horizon, sustainable forestry aligns with our objectives to achieve stable, risk-adjusted returns while contributing to global climate and biodiversity goals.”
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