Further accelerates growth in private assets and impact investing in emerging markets
BlueOrchard is the pioneer in microfinance and impact investing. Founded in 2001, it is the world’s first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. Today, the firm offers investors premium impact investment solutions across asset classes, including credit, private equity and sustainable infrastructure and is an expert in innovative blended finance mandates. The Switzerland-headquartered impact investment business has approx. USD $3.5billion* in assets under management and operates internationally.
Schroders’ partnership with BlueOrchard supports the expansion of its sustainability capabilities. This will help to better serve clients who are increasingly seeking investments which have a beneficial impact on society and the environment, as well as generating positive financial returns. It also accelerates the growth of Schroders in private debt and private equity investments in emerging markets.
Partnering with Schroders enables BlueOrchard to further drive innovation and growth and increase its impact across emerging and frontier markets. Schroders’ stable ownership structure and heritage is aligned with BlueOrchard’s long-term investment philosophy. Sharing values and the desire to generate substantial impact together, Schroders is BlueOrchard’s preferred strategic partner.
There will be no changes to the management team, processes or strategies that BlueOrchard manages. Peter A. Fanconi will remain as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Patrick Scheurle as CEO of BlueOrchard. Schroders will appoint Peter Harrison (Group Chief Executive), Georg Wunderlin (Global Head of Private Assets), and Stephen Mills (Executive Chairman of Schroder Adveq) to the board. BlueOrchard’s Board of Directors, consisting of both BlueOrchard’s and Schroders’ representatives will adopt joint strategic decisions.
*as at 30 May 2019
Peter Harrison, Group Chief Executive of Schroders, said:
“Schroders has a strong belief in the value that investment can create in society, particularly within emerging and frontier markets. BlueOrchard’s expertise in this area is exceptional. They share our values, recognising that through our combined contributions, we can purposefully affect positive change. They are a blueprint for the future of our industry and we are delighted to partner together.”
Peter A. Fanconi, Chairman of BlueOrchard, said:
“For nearly 20 years it has been BlueOrchard’s vision and mission to reduce poverty and protect the planet, while providing attractive returns for investors. With Schroders we have found the ideal strategic partner with whom we will further increase our impact and jointly contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We are very pleased that amongst others, Peter Harrison, Schroders’ Group Chief Executive, will join BlueOrchard’s Board of Directors and look forward to jointly develop our business and ultimately drive the growth of the impact investing industry.”
Patrick Scheurle, CEO of BlueOrchard, said:
“We are delighted with today’s announcement. Schroders’ stable ownership structure and heritage, which is closely aligned with BlueOrchard’s long-term investment philosophy makes them an excellent partner for our business. With the backing of such a strong and like-minded institutional partner, we will be able to further drive innovation and growth and increase our impact substantially, while retaining our investment and operational autonomy. We look forward to continuing to provide an excellent service and the best possible impact investment solutions to our clients.”
Financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed and the acquisition is expected to complete in the second half of 2019 subject to usual closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
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For further information, please contact:
Schroders
Estelle Bibby, Head of Media Relations
+44 20 7658 3431
estelle.bibby@schroders.com
BlueOrchard
Tahmina Theis, Head of Communications
+41 22 596 47 69
tahmina.theis@blueorchard.com
Note to Editors
For trade press only. To view the latest press releases from Schroders visit: http://ir.schroders.com/media
About Schroders plc
As a global investment manager, we help institutions, intermediaries and individuals meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. But as the world changes, so do our clients’ needs. That’s why we have a long history of adapting to suit the times and keeping our focus on what matters most to our clients.
Doing this takes experience and expertise. We bring together people and data to spot the trends that will shape the future. This provides a unique perspective which allows us to always invest with conviction. We are responsible for £421.4 billion (€469.5 billion/$536.7 billion)* of assets for our clients who trust us to deliver sustainable returns. We remain determined to build future prosperity for them, and for all of society. Today, we have 5,000 people across six continents who focus on doing just this.
We are a global business that’s managed locally. This allows us to always keep our clients’ needs at the heart of everything we do. For over 200 years and more than seven generations we’ve grown and developed our expertise in tandem with our clients’ needs and interests.
Further information about Schroders can be found at www.schroders.com.
Issued by Schroder Investment Management Limited. Registration No 1893220 England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For regular updates by e-mail please register online at www.schroders.com for our alerting service.
*as at 31 December 2018
About BlueOrchard
BlueOrchard is a leading global impact investment manager. The firm is dedicated to fostering inclusive and climate-smart growth, while providing attractive returns for investors. BlueOrchard was founded in 2001, by initiative of the UN, as the world’s first commercial manager of microfinance debt investments. Today, BlueOrchard provides investors around the world with premium investment solutions, including credit, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure. Being an expert in innovative blended finance mandates, the firm is a trusted partner of leading global development finance institutions.
BlueOrchard is a licensed Swiss asset manager of collective investment schemes authorized by FINMA. Its Luxembourg entity, BlueOrchard Asset Management S.A., is a licensed UCITS management company as well as a licensed alternative investment fund manager (AIFM) authorized by CSSF.
For additional information, please visit: www.blueorchard.com.
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