3i has announced the launch of its North American infrastructure business. Establishing a local team in the US will position 3i to access attractive infrastructure investment opportunities throughout North America.

3i has recruited Rob Collins to lead this initiative as Managing Partner, North America Infrastructure. Rob joins 3i from Hastings Funds Management where he was Head of Global Investments in North America and Europe, a member of the Hastings Executive Committee, and a member of the Hastings Equity Investment Committee.

Rob will lead a dedicated team, which will focus on building a portfolio of infrastructure investments in similar market segments to those where 3i has been successful in Europe. 3i intends to fund North American investments initially with its own balance sheet with a view to deploying third-party capital in due course.

This appointment follows a successful period for 3i’s European Infrastructure business, which has advised 3i Infrastructure plc on new investments of £480 million (US$594.4 million) in its current financial year and has recently raised a new £700 million (US$867 million) fund to acquire a portfolio of assets from EISER Infrastructure.

Simon Borrows, 3i Chief Executive, commented:

“We are delighted to welcome Rob to 3i. His appointment builds on the success of our European business and provides us with an experienced leader with a proven investment track record to capture the investment opportunity in infrastructure in North America. 3i has the ambition to build a significant business in this market and we are excited to have Rob join us.”

Rob Collins commented:

“3i has established an impressive track record of infrastructure investing in Europe. I am excited to be joining the 3i team to continue this success and to extend the company’s infrastructure activities into North America.”