Macquarie raises €8bn for European infrastructure fund

Macquarie Asset Management announced that over €8 billion has been committed to Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 7 (MEIF7) upon the fund’s final close, making MEIF7 the industry’s largest-ever fund focused on European infrastructure.

MEIF7 has attracted commitments from more than 100 pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, asset managers and fund of fund investors.

Approximately 9% of commitments came from investors who have previously invested with Macquarie Asset Management.

The strategy also attracted commitments from 24 investors new to the Macquarie Asset Management platform.

“The strategy aims to create a diversified portfolio targeting infrastructure companies aligned to the key investment themes of decarbonisation, digitalisation, the circular economy and demographic shifts,” said Macquarie.

“MEIF7 has already committed capital across three investments in the digital, transport and utilities sectors comprising of VIRTUS Data Centres, Best in Parking and Last Mile Infrastructure Group.”

Adam Lygoe, Head of Institutional and International Wealth Distribution at Macquarie Asset Management, said: “Despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment, we have continued to strengthen and broaden our relationships with clients by providing compelling solutions to help meet their investment objectives”

Martin Bradley, Head of Infrastructure for Macquarie Asset Management in EMEA, said: “Continual investment is needed to develop the infrastructure that provides essential services to communities. The closing of our seventh European infrastructure fund enables us to play a meaningful role in helping meet that need, as we seek to deliver positive impact across EMEA.

“We have a strong pipeline of investment opportunities and have already begun to establish a robust and diverse portfolio with three investments by the fund to date. We look forward to building on this strong foundation as we continue to deploy in the coming years.”

MEIF7’s Final Close brings capital managed under the Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund series to approximately €30 billion.

Since 2021, Macquarie Asset Management’s infrastructure equity strategies have globally raised an aggregate total of approximately €39 billion.