3i’s infrastructure project team spins-off €1bn European fund manager

A team formerly responsible for 3i’s infrastructure projects has launched a €1bn European fund management company, currently overseeing two funds with around 130 infrastructure projects.

Stephane Grandguillaume, John Cavill and Antoine Matton, who have been working together since 2009 have set up Alba Infra Partners as managing partners, with Grandguillaume and Cavill acting as CEO and CIO respectively.

At 3i, Grandguillaume was a partner in charge of development of infrastructure projects in Continental Europe. Prior to joining 3i in 2013, he was head of infrastructure France at Barclays Infrastructure Funds Management (BIFM) where he worked for eight years.

Cavill, a director and partner in 3i’s infrastructure team in London, joined 3i in November 2013, following 3i’s acquisition of BIFM. He joined BIFM in 2009.

Fellow 3i director Matton joined in 2013 from BIFM where he was investment director and had worked for over five years.

Alba, which currently has infrastructure projects across continental Europe, the UK and Ireland, will look to continue to invest in European infrastructure projects.

The fund manager’s plan includes building on its expertise and network in the infrastructure projects market, including greenfield, brownfield and project developers, with a “particular focus on essential and sustainable infrastructure sectors including renewables, energy transition and environment, green mobility and social infrastructure”.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of Alba, which will focus on infrastructure projects across the mid-market space, where we see ample attractive investment opportunities supported by strong megatrends, and where we have a proven track record of outperforming the market,” said Grandguillaume.

Cavill added: “Alba has a proven asset and fund management model and a seasoned team, with whom we are excited and proud to be taking our next steps.

“Alba’s credentials across the infrastructure projects market demonstrate the team’s discipline and high integrity in different market conditions and together we look forward to further successes.”

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