Paris-based alternative asset manager Tikehau Capital announced two new leadership appointments for the firm’s decarbonization-focused North American Private Equity Climate Practice, adding Alexander Bell and Cristian Norambuena as Head and Director of the practice, respectively.

The appointments follow the launch by Tikehau in April 2021 of its North American private equity fund dedicated to the transition to a low-carbon economy, and aimed at helping achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement by financing profitable companies engaged in the fast-growing energy transition sector in North America. The fund invests in leading companies addressing the energy transition by developing solutions to reduce energy consumption, increase the supply of renewable energy, develop low-carbon mobility and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Bell joins Tikehau after five years at Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec, where he most recently served as Director of Sustainable Investments, responsible for leading investment efforts for the firm’s platform for investing in late-stage VC and early growth companies in Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Energy Transition, and Circular Economy.

Prior to joining Tikehau, Norambuena served as Senior Investment Officer – Private Equity for New York Retirement Systems, helping manage a $30 billion private equity portfolio. He also served as Head of Strategy and Alternative Investments at fund manager AFP Capital in Chile, and as Head of Strategy and Research at ProVida AFP.

 Tim Grell, CEO of Tikehau Capital North America, and Emmanuel Laillier, Head of Private Equity at Tikehau Capital, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Alex and Cristian to Tikehau Capital in New York. Their respective experience and expertise in private equity and the energy sector will play a leading role in our continued effort to support the transition to a low carbon economy. We believe that investors have a responsibility to contribute directly to global efforts towards meeting carbon neutrality goals and are confident that our decarbonization fund focused on North America is well positioned to accelerate the transition to a net zero future.”