New York-headquartered BlackRock has expanded its newly opened Auckland office with the appointment of a new portfolio manager.
BlackRock has appointed Will Thomson as managing director, portfolio manager within the climate infrastructure team in New Zealand, according to a statement, effective July 2024. Based in Auckland, he will be responsible for sourcing climate infrastructure investment opportunities and managing the diligence, structuring, and closing of transactions in New Zealand.
Thomson has over 15 years of experience in private capital investment, portfolio management and corporate finance. He was most recently working at investment and advisory group Jarden, where he was responsible for origination, structuring, execution, and management of direct private capital investments in New Zealand. Prior to that, he worked at Global Infrastructure Partners and Credit Suisse.
New Office
Last year, BlackRock announced the launch of a New Zealand-focused strategy via its climate infrastructure franchise. And earlier this year, it decided to open an office in Auckland. According to the US firm, it has been investing and managing the retirement savings of New Zealanders for over a decade including KiwiSaver providers, wealth and asset managers, as well as institutional and broking companies.
«BlackRock’s New Zealand-focused strategy aims to meet local client demand for direct investment opportunities within the New Zealand climate finance ecosystem,» said BlackRock deputy head of APAC Andrew Landman. «We are thrilled to have Will as a senior investor to spearhead our efforts […] to contribute to the growth of the New Zealand economy while enhancing energy security and resilience for the local community.»
