Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
investor daily logo
Kim Nguyen

Foresight picks Aus head for energy expansion

  •  
  •  
3 minute read

Infrastructure and private equity investment manager Foresight Group has appointed a new head to lead its Australian operations, with an aim to expand its product range into the Australian energy sector.

Kim Nguyen will be leading the team in Sydney, overseeing the launch of a series of investment products geared towards Australians, based in the renewable energy sector.

The Foresight Renewable Energy Income Fund (FREIF) is due to launch in August and will look towards Australia’s debt markets, giving a risk-adjusted return on infrastructure debt to Australian wholesale investors.

Ms Nguyen commented that renewable energy is a rapidly growing market in Australia and will create a range 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,” she said.

“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 at Foresight, said Ms Nguyen is highly qualified to lead the company’s Australian arm.

“She has an impressive track record with market leaders,” Mr Aitchison said.

“She will provide the guidance and innovative leadership that will create value for Foresight, its investors and the Australian economy.”

Ms Nguyen has worked across transactions, strategy and asset management across solar, wind, biogas, biomass, hydro and infrastructure projects.

She also has funds management and investments experience from previous roles with Macquarie Capital, Origin Energy, Hastings Funds Management and has established her own investment advisory consultant firm.

Ms Nguyen noted she is seeing increasing appetite from investors for revenue streams from renewable infrastructure assets.

“I look forward to leveraging Foresight’s UK and European track record for the benefit of Australian investors,” she said.

“It’s the right time to expand Foresight’s Australian offering to provide wholesale investors with access to this growing asset class.”

Foresight now has $5.3 billion under management.

It manages more than $3.7 billion of energy infrastructure assets, including more than 100 operating solar plants in the UK, southern Europe and Australia.

Sarah Simpkins

Sarah Simpkins

Sarah Simpkins is a journalist at Momentum Media, reporting primarily on banking, financial services and wealth. 

Prior to joining the team in 2018, Sarah worked in trade media and produced stories for a current affairs program on community radio. 

You can contact her on [email protected].