Capella Capital set for further expansion with new equity partner

One of Japan’s largest investment and trading companies, Sojitz Corporation, has entered into a binding agreement with Lendlease to acquire Capella Capital in a move that will enable Capella to expand into new infrastructure markets in Australia and globally. Existing management personnel remain committed to Capella and will continue as equity investors alongside Sojitz.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory and other third-party consents, includes Capella’s infrastructure investment platform comprising asset origination, asset management and equity investments in four Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

Capella is Australia’s leading public infrastructure developer, financial advisor and asset manager and has secured over $34 billion of projects across transport, social and energy infrastructure across Australia since 2009.

Capella currently manages over $20 billion of assets and third-party equity capital of over $1 billion. 

Capella Managing Director, Malcolm Macintyre, says the announcement positions Capella for significant future growth.

“Sojitz has a well-established presence in Australia and a strong appetite and capacity to invest domestically and overseas. With Sojitz support, Capella will be able to build on our success to date with Lendlease and target a broader range of infrastructure assets both in Australia and globally. We will also continue to work with Lendlease on current and future Capella projects where Lendlease brings relevant construction or development expertise.”

Mr Macintyre says he is proud of the team who excel in all aspects of project development, commercial and financial structuring, capital raising, delivery, operations, asset and funds management.

“Capella is known for our exceptional people and the strong relationships we build with government clients and project partners including co-investors, contractors and financiers. For Capella Capital’s origination and asset management teams, it will be business as usual with day-to-day operations and branding unchanged. This announcement is about delivering more for our clients and partners, and means we’ll be able to further leverage our talented team to deliver more city-shaping assets in Australia and overseas.”

Sojitz Corporation COO, Energy Solutions & Healthcare Division, Takefumi Nishikawa, says Sojitz is committed to a long-term partnership that will tap into Capella’s award-winning infrastructure capabilities of project development, delivery and asset management.

“By acquiring Australia’s leading infrastructure developer, Sojitz seeks to provide integrated services from project development to asset management with the aim of expanding this business model to regions with rapid infrastructure development such as the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and the U.S., in addition to Australia. Through these efforts, Sojitz will continue to build and enhance its business foundations to realise the Sojitz Growth Story.”