Defined benefit (DB) consolidator Clara Pensions has launched a new private markets investment vehicle in conjunction with its fiduciary manager Van Lanschot Kempen.
The strategy will invest in a range of private market assets, concentrating initially on private credit. It will soon also look to invest in infrastructure debt and real estate debt.
In its announcement on 7 April, Clara said that approximately 30% to 35% of its assets will be held in private assets, with a significant amount of these invested in the UK economy.
The private markets strategy has been designed to invest beyond the typical window of five to 10 years that schemes spend inside Clara before moving to an insurer.
“We believe that a significant, well-managed private markets portfolio within our investment strategy delivers on these aims, and can also play a significant role in driving economic growth and productivity in the UK,” said Simon True, Clara’s chief executive officer.
“Clara’s role as a superfund has always supported the UK economy by taking away the cost and distraction of legacy pension schemes, allowing British businesses to focus on their core operations safe in the knowledge that their members are on a secure journey to buyout.
“By adding private markets investment, we can now further increase our contribution to the UK economy.”
Clara expects to conduct more DB transactions this year. It most recently agreed a deal with the Wates Group in December 2024, moving 1,500 members and £210m of assets into the superfund.
Clara said that it was in discussions with a large number of schemes with total assets in excess of £10bn.
