Sustainability-focused investment manager Mirova announced today the creation of a new real assets platform, grouping together its Energy Transition Infrastructure, Natural Capital and Private Equity businesses. Raphaël Lance, currently Head of Energy Transition Infrastructure Funds, will head this new platform.

Mirova was launched as a subsidiary of Natixis Investment Management in 2014, with a focus on sustainable and impact investing. According to the firm, the new structure will enable it to take a “comprehensive strategic view” of the real assets market asset class, and forms part of its 2030 strategic roadmap and its ambition to become a leader in the impact private assets sector.

Mirova CEO Phillipe Zaouati said:

“Mirova is determined to become a leader in impact private assets, in line with our Mirova 2030 strategic roadmap. Raphaël Lance, who has over twenty years of experience in managing energy transition funds, has played a key role in Mirova’s growth since its creation. I am fully confident in his vision and his ability to define a strategic roadmap that will enable us to accelerate our development in the real assets sector, strengthen our expertise and develop synergies at both management and operational levels.”

Lance joined the firm in 2009 after 12 years at General Electric, including serving as Commercial Leader for France and Italy for Energy Financial Services, the energy investment branch of GE. He will remain Head of Energy Transition Infrastructure Funds, and keep the chairmanship of the funds’ investment committee, while the Natural Capital and Private Equity businesses will remain under the direct responsibility of Anne-Laurence Roucher, who will report to Lance.

Lance said:

“It is a real honor for me to head this new platform, which will bring together almost 80 investment specialists. I thank Philippe Zaouati for his trust. The competitive impact private assets market has great growth potential, and I am looking forward to working together with the teams on the roadmap that will enable Mirova to become a leader in this segment.”