Bridges FM hires HSBC AM climate team
Bridges Fund Management has hired a specialist climate technology investment team from HSBC Asset Management.
Christophe Defert and Mike D’Aurizio, have been investing together for over 10 years. They have experience in identifying technology companies that can accelerate energy and industrial transitions and support climate adaptation solutions.
See also: Bridges expands strategy team with hire
The team will continue to manage the Climate Growth Partners fund, with HSBC AM remaining as a limited partner and maintain its existing capital commitment in the fund as an anchor investor in a successor fund. The team will now be known as Bridges Climate Transition Partners.
Michele Giddens, CEO and co-founder of Bridges Fund Management, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Christophe, Mike and their outstanding team into the Bridges family. Their expertise and passion for solutions that are accelerating the transition to a more sustainable economy align perfectly with our mission. We firmly believe that investing in innovative climate technologies is one of the most powerful ways to achieve positive impact at scale, and we’re delighted to be spinning in this proven, expert team to spearhead our effort.”
Defert, head of Bridges Climate Transition Partners, added: “Climate technologies – powered by advances in AI and material science – are driving an energy and industrial transformation. We back exceptional founders whose unique and scalable businesses will be critical to the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy. Joining Bridges is a natural next step: it allows us to keep building on the strong foundations and networks we’ve developed over the last decade, with the support of HSBC. Bridges’ entrepreneurial spirit, impact expertise and specialist support will complement this perfectly. Together, we believe we can scale this platform to deliver great outcomes for our investors, communities, and the planet.”
Meanwhile, Joanna Munro, CEO Alternatives at HSBC Asset Management, commented: “Our ongoing relationship with Bridges will support the scaling of this strategy, while continuing to serve the interests of existing investors.”