Will Thomson has been appointed managing director of BlackRock’s climate infrastructure team in New Zealand, 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.
He will also serve as a portfolio manager in the team.
“We are pleased to welcome Will to BlackRock. Will brings valuable expertise and industry knowledge that aligns well with our global experience in developing and managing climate infrastructure assets,” said Charlie Reid, Asia-Pacific co-head of climate infrastructure at BlackRock.
“We look forward to collaborating with Will to invest on behalf of our clients in New Zealand companies that are at the forefront of enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy.”
BlackRock’s deputy head of Asia-Pacific, Andrew Landman, added the appointment will help spearhead the firm’s efforts “to contribute to the growth of the New Zealand economy while enhancing energy security and resilience for the local community”.
Thomson brings over 15 years in private capital investment, portfolio management, and corporate finance to the role.
He has been a director at Jarden Principal Investments for nearly four years, where his responsibilities included the origination, structuring, execution, and management of direct private capital investments in New Zealand. He also served as a board director and Jarden’s representative for its investee companies.
Prior to this, he was vice-president at Global Infrastructure Partners for almost seven and a half years, operating out of its Sydney and London offices.
Thomson has also worked in the investment banking divisions of Credit Suisse and Jarden.
The appointment comes on the back of BlackRock’s announcement last year to launch a New Zealand-focused strategy, via its climate infrastructure franchise. It also announced its decision to open an office in Auckland sometime this year.
It has had a presence in New Zealand for over a decade, with clients spanning sovereign entities, KiwiSaver providers, wealth and asset managers, as well as institutional and broking firms.
