HSBC Asset Management announced today that it has hired a 7-member listed infrastructure team, which has joined the firm after working together at real estate and infrastructure-focused investment manager AMP Capital. Along with the addition of the new team, HSBC launched a new Global Listed Infrastructure Equity fund, classified as Article 8 under the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), indicating it will promote environmental or social characteristics.

Today’s announcement comes as alternative investment asset classes such as infrastructure continue to gain popularity, driven in part by a growing focus on sustainable investing and the opportunities created by the emerging transition to clean energy sources. According to HSBC, “the asset class is pivotal in enabling the energy transition,” and the new fund will fully integrate ESG credentials into the investment process.

Joanna Munro, CEO of HSBC Alternatives, said:

“This is another pivotal step in HSBC Alternatives’ growth, and we are excited to bring in such a high-quality investment team with a solid track record. Infrastructure equity fits perfectly with our strategy of bringing core and innovative solutions to institutional and wealth clients who are increasingly looking to diversify and allocate more to alternatives. Asset classes like infrastructure are ideally placed as they allow them to do this with a sustainable focus.”

The new team is led by Giuseppe Corona, who joins HSBC as Head of Listed Infrastructure Equity, after 10 years at AMP Capital. Corona was Head of Global Listed infrastructure at AMP since 2016, serving as lead portfolio manager for the AMP Capital Global Listed infrastructure fund. Other team members joining HSBC include Antonio Barbera, Andy Jones and Joseph Titmus as Managing Principals, Michel Debs as Principal, Xueting (Claire) Zhang as Senior Analyst, and Jessica Nguy as Investment Specialist. The team will be split between London and Sydney.

The new fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of listed infrastructure assets across both developed and developing equity markets, focusing on investments in the communication, energy, transportation and utilities sectors. The Global Infrastructure Equity fund is a sub-fund of HSBC Global Investment Funds (HGIF).

Corona said:

“We are excited to join HSBC AM’s growing alternatives investment platform. HSBC AM is strongly aligned with our commitment to delivering excellent investment returns to clients, while promoting sustainable investing. Listed infrastructure has seen significant growth over the last decade. We expect this trend to continue, supported by secular tailwinds such as the ongoing digitalisation of the economy and the vital need to transition to a lower carbon environment.”