Retooling in-house investment teams inside institutional investors: three perspectives on the shift towards direct infrastructure investment

Over the last 10 years, institutional investors have moved strongly away from intermediated infrastructure investment towards a direct investment model. This model directly exposes investors to the underlying risks associated with managing and governing complex infrastructure projects. This is problematic since few institutional investors traditionally have the skills to manage these risks in-house. Building on the perspectives of governments, infrastructure management teams, and investment partners, we draw three implications for in-house investment teams, focusing on the importance of close government relationships, talent management strategies to acquire the right in-house skills, and using partnerships to manage risk exposure.