Oxford Endowment Fund, Oxford, England, has taken a minority stake in new sustainable fixed-income manager Osmosis Investment Management NL.
The about £6.5 billion ($8.1 billion) is run by Oxford University Endowment Management.
Osmosis Investment Management NL is a specialist sustainable fixed-income credit manager. Victor Verberk has joined Osmosis to lead the business, which is set to launch later this year subject to regulatory approval. Verberk and other investment staff will hold a majority interest in the firm.
He was CIO of fixed income and sustainability at Dutch asset manager Robeco, until announcing a career break in December 2023. His responsibilities were assumed by Mark van der Kroft, who is also Robeco's CIO for fundamental and quant equity.
Both OEF and the A$57 billion ($36 billion) Commonwealth Superannuation Corp., Belconnen, Australia, will each own significant minority stakes in Osmosis Investment Management NL.
Osmosis Investment Management NL will operate separately from U.K.-based Osmosis Investment Management, which was formed in 2009 and is an equities manager. OEF also holds a stake in that entity.
"We are pleased to continue our support for Osmosis as it expands into the Netherlands under the leadership of Victor Verberk,” said Sandra Robertson, CEO of Oxford University Endowment Management, in the news release.
“We have been long-term supporters of Osmosis and their investment philosophy, which places sustainability at the core of their approach. This aligns with our strategy of backing forward-thinking investments that drive resource efficiency and sustainable solutions,” she said.
Osmosis managed $18 billion in assets as of Feb. 20.
