Asset manager Infranity strengthens positioning in North America with first office opening.

Infranity, an infrastructure specialist investor, part of Italy-headquartered Generali Investments, has bolstered its presence in North America. It has opened its first office in New York and appointed three new experts in that market.

Reflecting its growth ambition, Infranity has hired Paul Colatrella, Katherine McElroy, and William Kim who have been active on the strategy Infranity will be pursuing in North America for its first step in this market.

They bring knowledge and experience in origination, investing and fundraising in the North American market, the firm said in a statement. Infranity has formed a separate US entity, Infranity NA, that is based in New York.

“We are excited to support Infranity, a successful and fast-growing affiliate of Generali Investments, as we expand into the US market where we see growing infrastructure investment opportunities for our clients,” Woody Bradford, chief executive officer of Generali Investments and chair of Infranity’s board, said.

Colatrella, who has been appointed as managing director and head of North America for debt, will manage Infranity’s US debt investment team. Previously, he was head of infrastructure debt at Fiera private debt, where he managed Fiera's infrastructure private debt platform. He has more than 30 years of experience in the investment sector and a focus on clean energy investments.

McElroy has been appointed as managing director in the debt investment team. Formerly managing director at Fiera private debt, she focused on originating direct investments in North American infrastructure projects for the firm's infrastructure private debt strategy. She brings experience in private markets, sustainable and responsible investment, as well as power and renewable energy-related debt investments.

Kim has been appointed as director in the debt investment team. Former director at Fiera private debt, he focused on North American infrastructure projects. Previously, he was an associate on the clean energy infrastructure credit team at Capital Dynamics.

“Building and improving infrastructure that enables the transition to more a resilient and productive economy is a strategic imperative in most countries. In that respect, North America represents an attractive and compelling growth area, driven by opportunities created by the Inflation Reduction Act and market trends such as increasing demand for data centers in the US and Canada. Our expansion into this market is an important milestone on our journey to unlock the value of the transition in infrastructure and we expect North America to be a key contributor to our future success as we are scaling up our ambitious growth trajectory,” Bradford said.

Founded in 2018, and supported by Generali, an insurance group, Infranity has built a position in infrastructure debt and equity investments, closing almost 100 investments in excess of about €9 billion ($9.8 billion), seeking to deliver long-term risk-adjusted returns for its investors. Infranity’s growing assets under management now exceed €11 billion.