Several major international infrastructure investors have formally launched the Association of Infrastructure Investors in PPPs (AIIP) to “provide a positive and co-ordinated voice for engagement on specific industry issues”.
The group - which was first revealed during the Partnerships TV webinar discussion on the White Fraiser Report - includes InfraRed Capital Partners, Dalmore Capital, Equitix Investment Management and Semperian PPP Investment Partners.
It has laid down three principal aims: to discuss and share expertise on delivery of PPPs (including the expiry and handback of PFI deals); advocating for continuing improvement of standards across the PFI industry; and providing a forum through which “robust forward-looking solutions and actions can be efficiently and effectively developed and promoted”.
As explained by InfraRed partner Stewart Orrell during the Partnerships TV discussion, the group aims to act with one voice in its future dealings with the government.
The AIIP is in part a response to the issues surrounding the UK PFI industry, in particular concerns around behaviours and breakdown in relationships, which led to the White Fraiser Report.
It will also be supported by DLA Piper and Curshaw. “We will support the AIIP with its pursuit of solutions to challenges faced in the PPP/PFI landscape,” said DLA Piper partner, Alison Fagan. “We hope our role, alongside Curshaw, will allow it to maximise on the benefits presented by public and private sector collaboration on pertinent issues faced by all stakeholders operating in the UK infrastructure space.”
“We look forward to working with the AIIP and DLA Piper UK to support the opportunities that will be created by these investors working together as a group to address issues relevant to UK infrastructure which are of common interest with the public sector,” added Curshaw founding partner, Max Curzon-Hope.
You can still watch the Partnerships TV webinar discussing the White Fraiser Report, featuring co-author Barry White, Infrastrucuytre & Projects Authority deputy chief executive, Matthew Vickerstaff, as well as DLA Piper's Robin Jack and InfraRed's Stewart Orrell. Just click here to view.