Sustainable investment manager Downing LLP has created a new, bespoke investment vehicle for the UK charity, the Human Capability Foundation (HCF), to invest into renewable energy assets.  

Over the past 12 years, Downing’s Energy and Infrastructure team has completed more than 175 renewable energy transactions and currently manages a portfolio valued at £785 million. The team will utilise its experience and expertise to acquire and manage a renewable energy portfolio for HCF that will benefit from long-term predictable revenue streams. The investment vehicle can also provide a regular and inflation-linked return that can be used to support HCF’s ongoing charitable purposes. 

A Certified B Corp, Downing has worked closely with HCF to tailor the mandate of this new investment vehicle, which will also have an inherent, positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact. These assets are expected to include operational core renewables in the UK, which have longstanding track records and, in certain cases, receive government-backed and inflation-linked subsidies. 

Downing plans to launch similar investment vehicles for additional charities, foundations and endowments, that can invest on their own or alongside other UK registered charities, where trustees are seeking to allocate a proportion of their charity’s funds to renewable energy assets that can deliver stable, attractive financial returns over the long-term and which can also bring broader environmental benefits to society. 

Luke Pagarani, Trustee, HCF said: “Having built our relationship with Downing over a number of years, we are delighted to establish this renewable energy-focused investment vehicle with them.  

“We selected Downing as the investment manager for this vehicle because of their expertise in sourcing and making new renewable energy investments. We also valued the quality of its in-house energy asset management team, which is responsible for the operational management of renewable energy assets across their wider portfolio.  

“We are looking forward to building the portfolio with them in the years ahead.” 

Tom Williams, Partner and Head of Energy and Infrastructure, Downing LLP said: “HCF does excellent work supporting issues such as women’s education and empowerment, mental health and disability rights, youth education and labour migration. As a sustainable investment manager, partnering with charities links directly with our focus on ESG.  

“We are excited to have created this new vehicle with HCF and are committed to investing the charity’s funds into renewable energy assets that bring a dual benefit: providing an income that HCF can use to fund its ongoing work, and supporting the UK on its journey to net zero.” 

Find out more about the Energy & Investment team

Find out more about Downing's charity offering