IFM Investors finalises strategic partnership with leading UK pension fund

• The deal which sees leading UK pension fund, Nest, become a 10% shareholder in global pension capital investor, IFM Investors, has been finalised.
• Nest is now the first overseas owner of IFM, alongside 15 Australian super funds.
• The transaction included agreements to support IFM’s further expansion into new investment opportunities and markets across the globe, facilitate Nest investment in global private markets across multiple asset classes, and brings UK expertise into IFM’s ownership group. 

Global pension capital investor IFM Investors has finalised a landmark partnership with leading UK pension fund Nest, making Nest the first overseas owner of IFM in its history.

The move, which gives Nest a 10% stake in IFM’s holding company, alongside 15 super funds, supports IFM’s global expansion into new investment opportunities and markets, while also bringing valuable UK expertise into its ownership group.

IFM and Nest expect to capitalise on significant UK private market investments and unlock new investment opportunities across the globe, with Nest aiming to invest £5 billion through IFM by 2030.

Together, they will aim to develop sophisticated investment strategies to help Nest access new private market opportunities with the potential to deliver stronger long-term returns for its more than 13 million UK members.

This is a significant milestone in IFM’s growth trajectory, marking the connecting of two purpose-driven organisations with a shared mission to invest, protect and grow the long-term retirement savings of working people.  

Quotes attributable to IFM Investors Chief Executive Officer David Neal:

“We are delighted to welcome Nest. This is a significant milestone in IFM’s history – and it’s a reflection of the shared purpose and values of IFM, our broader owners, and Nest – which is to invest, protect and grow the long-term retirement savings of working people.”

“We believe this alliance will support IFM’s further expansion into new investment opportunities and markets across the world, especially in the UK, and give Australian workers greater access to global markets that have the potential to deliver risk-adjusted returns for their retirement.”

Quotes attributable to Nest Invest CEO Mark Fawcett:

“We’re proud that Nest has officially joined forces with IFM – one of the world’s leading infrastructure managers born out of Australia’s globally recognised superannuation sector.”

“As one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with over a third of the workforce saving with us, we continually seek out global best practice to strengthen our investment approach. Australia has set the benchmark in infrastructure investing, and we’re excited to tap into IFM’s capabilities while bringing our own scale, ambition, and innovation to the partnership.”

“Together, we’ll drive stronger, more resilient long-term returns that benefit millions of working people on both sides of the globe.”

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Notes to Editor: 

1. IFM Investors is a global asset manager, founded and owned by pension funds, with capabilities in infrastructure equity and debt, private equity, private credit, real estate and listed equities. Our purpose is to invest, protect and grow the long-term retirement savings of working people. With assets under management of approximately $232.3 AUD billion (as at 31 March 2025), we serve over 750 institutional investors worldwide. IFM operates from 13 offices across Australia, Europe, North America and Asia.   
2. Nest was set up by the government to give every UK worker somewhere good to save, and it aims to provide members with a bigger pension in a better world. It’s now the largest workplace pension scheme in the country, with more than 13 million members. One in three of the working population is expected to have a Nest pension pot by the late 2020s. Nest’s members benefit from an award-winning responsible investment strategy and one of the most diversified DC portfolios in the industry. By the end of the decade Nest will have close to £100bn assets under management.

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