QIC Infrastructure is prioritising the long-term durability of its A$34 billion infrastructure portfolio by expanding its sustainability capability with the creation of new specialist roles dedicated to resilience and innovation.
Andrew Sellick, Principal – Sustainability, QIC Infrastructure said as responsible stewards of essential infrastructure assets, a focus on resilience, innovation and sustainability management will help to underpin robust long-term investment outcomes for our clients.
“Sustainability has transformed from a narrow view on the environmental impact of a business to a broad cross section of internal and external issues which are strategic, expanding in breadth and accelerating at a rapid pace.
“There are challenges from the pace of technological change to the transition to a low-carbon economy which, when layered with physical climate risk, cyber threats and geopolitical tensions, mean a focus on resilience and innovation and a proactive approach to stakeholder management is more critical than ever.
“These dimensions can impact company valuations, are key to growth prospects, and ultimately, have the potential to impact a company’s ability to deliver returns for shareholders and maintain its social licence to operate,” Andrew said.
“Investors in infrastructure assets are attracted to the asset class for its stable and consistent returns, long-term nature and alignment with activities that help communities and societies prosper, and thus require a strategic sustainability approach to meet the needs of many shareholders.”
Andrew said having the specialist capability and experience to understand the impacts of these sustainability trends, factor them into our origination approach and investment decision making, and to support and guide the Board and management teams of portfolio companies through our active asset management approach is critical.
To meet these emerging priorities, sustainability professionals Timothy Grech and Julian Loh have recently taken up positions in what is now QIC Infrastructure’s sustainability, innovation and resilience specialist team. They will play important roles focusing on the issues QIC believes will shape the industry now and into the future. They join Andrew who leads the QIC Infrastructure sustainability specialist function, and Johanna Blom, who joined the team last year.
Timothy Grech, QIC Infrastructure, Sustainability Manager (Resilience)
Julian Loh, QIC Infrastructure, Sustainability Manager (Decarbonisation, Innovation and Nature)
