Mirova Completes Hiring for Impact Private Equity Team

Mirova, a pureplay sustainable finance investment firm and affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, has completed hiring for its impact private equity team.

The team will manage Mirova’s environmental impact investing, which is designed to further the growth of companies that solve sustainability challenges. Marc Romano, Head of Mirova’s impact private equity, said the team was now fully rounded out and is ready to invest whenever opportunities are identified. Three investments have already been done by the team (Tallano Technology, Agronutris, Ombrea).

“We have hired talented professionals for this innovative approach with direct experience of the verticals we seek to invest in,” said Romano. “They are all passionate about impact investing and have made it a focus in their careers.”

Joanna Parent has joined as investment director after more than six years at Suez Groupe, where she was an investment director for Suez Ventures, its venture capital arm. She was also M&A director for Suez’s Smart and Environmental Solutions Business Unit, completing investments in companies which aim to disrupt water and waste management services.

Youssef Belatar joins as an investment director from Citizen Capital, a pioneer in impact investing in France. At Citizen Capital, he worked on early-stage and late-stage transactions in various sectors, with a strong focus on energy transition stakes. He led seven investments. He is also involved in social causes including mentoring of students and entrepreneurs, helping homeless people, and serving on the board of the NGO Banlieues Santé.

Anne Boulet joins as an investment manager from Total Eren, where she was vice president in charge of business development in Africa. She participated in transactions in Latin America and Africa.

Vanessa Carvalho joins the team as an investment advisor. She joined Mirova Group in early 2021 as part of the Sustainable Ocean Fund team. She spent five years at CDC Group, a leading impact investor in Africa and South Asia. At CDC, she was responsible for due diligence structuring and execution of direct equity investments in food and agriculture, farming and forestry.

“All of them have joined us because they want to make an impact,” said Romano. “We have hired them for their vertical expertise, for their collaborative outlook, and for their direct experience.

“They all have different backgrounds and have worked in a variety of cultures and investment settings. We like these attributes, they reflect Mirova’s diverse workforce and allow for better investment decisions.”

Before joining Mirova, Romano held various positions at Rothschild & Co, including managing director of Five Arrows, the private equity business. He was also General Partner and co-CEO of Rothschild & Co Asset Management.

The impact private equity team will be supported by the wider Mirova ecosystem, which includes teams dedicated to energy transition, natural capital, social impact investing and sustainability research. “The new team will have the support of a strong and efficient ecosystem as we set about deploying investors’ funds over the coming months and years,” Romano added.

For Further Reading:

• The New Private Markets Frontier
• Mirova Invests in Tallano Technology Cleantech Company
• Mirova Invests in Agronutris to Help Industrialise its Insect-Based Protein Production
• Mirova Invests in the Startup Ombrea to Help Accelerate the Deployment of its Climate Protection Solutions
• Mirova Unveils New Plans for Impact Private Equity
• Making an “Impact” with Private Equity