The first organisation for listed infrastructure has been launched, with the backing of a number of investment managers.
AMP Capital, CBRE Clarion Securities, CenterSquare Investment Management, and Macquarie were among supporters of the Global Listed Infrastructure Organization (GLIO).
Fraser Hughes, founding chief executive of the Brussels-based organisation, said that, given the importance of more effective financing for infrastructure, the global listed infrastructure industry 鈥渘eeds to find a common voice to promote itself successfully to investors, consultants and policymakers鈥�.
Hughes, who left his role as deputy chief executive of the European Public Real Estate Association earlier this year, said a large part of GLIO鈥檚 work would initially be in education and 鈥渂roadening the understanding about how the listed sector is positioned to provide that impetus鈥�.
Tim Humphreys, head of global listed infrastructure at AMP Capital, said: 鈥淲e have spent a lot of time over the years educating investors as to the benefits of listed infrastructure investment and, undoubtedly, the establishment of an independent organisation like GLIO will bolster this education push.鈥�
Jeremy Anagnos, CIO for listed infrastructure at CBRE Clarion Securities, said a focus on education would benefit the growth of the infrastructure market.
鈥淚nvestment to upgrade and replace ageing infrastructure will increasingly be undertaken by listed infrastructure companies,鈥� he said.
鈥淚n working with listed companies to highlight their efforts, the GLIO will play a key role in increasing investors鈥� awareness and supporting the continued growth of the asset class.鈥�
, Morgan Stanley, Nuveen Investments and Real Foundations are also backing the .
Ben Morton, co-head of listed infrastructure at Cohen & Steers, said the launch of an organisation focusing on listed infrastructure investment was 鈥渓ong overdue鈥�.
Hughes quoted IMF estimates that every $1 efficiently invested in infrastructure drives $3 worth of output.
鈥淭his sector鈥檚 funding development can be an engine for global economic growth,鈥� he said.
Manoj Patel, co-head of listed infrastructure at Deutsche Asset Management, said the establishment of a dedicated industry organisation was a 鈥渘ecessary step to help the asset class develop and evolve鈥�.
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