Schroders Capital to manage €100m private asset impact mandate for Barmenia

Schroders Capital, the private markets division of Schroders, has announced that it has been selected by German insurance company Barmenia to manage a €100 million private multi-asset impact portfolio.

The portfolio, which aims to be fully invested within the next 36 months, will be classified as Article 9 in accordance with EU SFDR regulations, and will consist of impact-focused investments in private equity, sustainable infrastructure and climate insurance.

Sustainability and impact objectives will be key across the portfolio and will be bolstered by investments in two funds managed by impact investing pioneer – BlueOrchard, part of the Schroders Group.

Andreas Eurich, Chairman of the Board of Barmenia, said: “We are sustainable by conviction. We translate this focus into financing innovations and long-term investments in sustainable financial markets. We are very proud to have taken a new step in our commitment to sustainable development with our first impact mandate of this type.

In addition, the mandate aims to make a positive contribution to climate change, resource efficiency and the achievement of a number of UN SDGs.

Out of a total of 17 SDGs, the mandate aims in particular to respond to the following: Number 6 (Clean water and sanitation), Number 7 (Affordable and clean energy), Number 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Number 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), number 12 (responsible consumption and production) and number 13 (climate action).

In addition, following the mandate with Schroders Capital, Barmenia further extends its commitment to the field of sustainability. This comes after ratings agency Assekurata recently certified the insurer’s very good sustainability performance and awarded it a rating of AA (very good) for its new ESG rating procedure.

Georg Wunderlin, Global Head of Private Assets at Schroders Capital, said: “We are delighted that Barmenia has placed their trust in us as we seek to support their efforts to make the German economy more sustainable. Schroders Capital aims to invest in attractive businesses that make a positive contribution to climate change and resource efficiency.

“Thanks to our multi-asset platform, we not only offer a diversified approach to private estates, but we can also provide personalized solutions to our clients.”

Wunderlin continues: “Schroders Capital’s mission is to develop sustainable solutions for clients by leveraging a wide range of private market strategies, managed by our specialist teams with long-standing track records. In addition to deep private equity and infrastructure expertise, BlueOrchard is an impact specialist with over 20 years of experience that we will draw on for this mandate. We are pleased to once again demonstrate our expertise with this mandate.

Carola Schroeder, Board Member of Barmenia, commented on the cooperation with Schroders Capital: “Sustainability is an important part of our business and corporate culture. We want to help make investments sustainable, so that the transformation towards a climate-friendly economy and society can succeed.

“With this investment, we are also proving once again that sustainability does not come at the expense of returns. By accepting this impact mandate, we continue to systematically develop our existing ESG strategy, which we also make more measurable. With Schroders Capital, we have a partner who can help us achieve our goals with their expertise in impact investing.

Maria Teresa Zappia, Head of Sustainability and Impact at Schroders Capital, Chief Impact & Blended Finance Officer, Deputy CEO at BlueOrchard, added: “The design of this mandate goes far beyond sustainability and impact as a regulatory requirement. Together with Barmenia, we have created a portfolio that aims for sustainability and impact across different themes and asset classes, pursuing both social and environmental goals focused on people and the planet.

“Measuring and managing positive change is central to our collective efforts to actively embed sustainability and impact across this private markets portfolio.”