When a leading impact investment fund needed to build a specialist climate team, Horton International UK didn’t just find them a candidate – they found them an entire investment strategy.
Making senior, strategic hires that materially impact a business is a key part of the reward in executive search. But, very occasionally, we have the opportunity to make a bigger impact with the introduction of a complete team.
In a recent project, Horton International UK were able to go a step further and introduce a complementary new investment strategy – which in time will hopefully catalyse additional investment into the impact sector
The background
Bridges Fund Management is one of the pioneers in impact investment. It has successfully built out a platform of different social and environmental impact-focused investment strategies, particularly in private equity and real estate.
In 2025, Bridges was looking to strengthen and diversify its private equity business by building or bringing on a specialist new team, with a focus on Climate and the Energy transition. These are both areas in which we specialise, and so have a very strong network.
Our involvement
Partner Matt Venning explored a few options with Bridges’ Chair of Private Equity Strategies, Tony Morgan. Matt was aware of a number of teams – both in climate tech and sustainability – that might be open to a conversation.
While we made a number of introductions, there was one opportunity that immediately stood out: to acquire the climate venture and growth investment team of HSBC Asset Management. Led by Christophe Defert and Mike d’Aurizio, the team have been investing together for over 10 years, and have built a portfolio that spans Europe and the US.
The Bridges Private Equity team led the process, which took over six months to complete. Our ongoing role centred around ensuring both sides were fully aligned on expectations and future strategy.
The team – which will now be known as Bridges Climate Transition Partners – brings both existing portfolio and investors to the table. Bridges provides them with a dedicated platform and established LP relationships to support future fundraising. Together, they will look to build on their track record to date in raising and deploying a new fund, and we wish them every success!
If you’d like to explore how we might leverage our network and relationships to upscale your business or fund, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
