APG exec to head LTIIA

The Long-Term Infrastructure Investors Association (LTIIA) has named Eugene Zhuchenko as its new executive director, the Paris-based non-profit announced on Tuesday. 

Under the board's guidance, Zhuchenko will be responsible for implementing LTIIA's stated objectives, which include leading initiatives on benchmarking and on environmental, social and governance issues as well as promoting private investment in public infrastructure, according to a statement by the association.

Most recently senior portfolio manager at Dutch pension fund administrator APG Asset Management, Zhuchenko has more than a decade of experience in the infrastructure sector, having worked in corporate mergers and acquisitions at Dubai Ports World and APM Terminals as well as provided transport and energy advisory services at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

“The LTIIA has gotten off to a strong start, with a strong international calendar for the year ahead,” said Thierry Déau, chairman of LTIIA as well as chief executive and founder of French-based fund manager Meridiam Infrastructure, a founding member of the association. “We look forward to seeing the association rapidly scale up to the role of primary industry interface for government bodies internationally under Eugene’s highly capable direction.”

The news comes just a few days after the Global Infrastructure Investors Association (GIIA) announced the formation of its 25-member board and the appointment of Prudential executive Matthew Farnum-Schneider as its chairman.

LTIIA was founded in August 2014, about one year before GIIA was established. Billed as an association founded “by investors for investors”, its key priorities include promoting private long-term investment in infrastructure, establishing benchmarks to encourage financial stability and promoting responsible investment. In addition, the association engages with regulators and policymakers to foster a dialogue between the private and public sector.

“Our recent activities in Europe include LTIIA's contributions to the development of Solvency II framework for infrastructure and participation in the climate change debate of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,” Zhuchenko told Infrastructure Investor in an e-mailed response. “More events are in the pipeline for this year that will deepen our engagement with infrastructure stakeholders in North America and Asia.”

GIIA, whose objective is also to represent institutional infrastructure investors, aims to build strong relationships between investors and policymakers as well.

Asked whether the two organisations were likely to work together given that some of their objectives overlap, Zhuchenko responded: “We are open to working together with all organisations and investors, who share the fundamental objectives of LTIIA and see value in the services that we offer. In that context, we are committed to a dialogue with GIIA and its members.”

LTIIA currently has more than 40 members, including Allianz Global Investors, Amundi Asset Management, Development Bank of Japan, Campbell Lutyens, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, InfraRed Capital Partners, Infravia, MACIF, Marguerite Adviser, OFI Asset Management and Skandia Mutual Life Insurance Company.