IFM expands UK presence with acquisitions

IFM Investors will obtain 100% ownership of UK-based Nala Renewables and Briggs Equipment UK through two separate transactions.

Currently visiting the UK with several superannuation funds, IFM Investors announced the acquisitions to further enhance its presence across the UK infrastructure and renewable energy markets.

The announcement also follows a $7 billion takeover bid for the toll road operator Atlas Arteria a few days prior.

IFM currently owns 50% stake in Nala Renewables and will acquire the remaining half from Trafigura Renewables on behalf of funds managed by IFM.

Headquartered in London, Nala Renewables contains fully integrated in-house project life cycle capabilities and spans across strategic markets in Europe. The platform has a portfolio of over 2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity across solar PV, onshore wind and battery energy storage systems.

The transaction, expected to complete in mid-2026, underscores IFM's renewable power conviction, including the growing need for energy security and reliable low-carbon generation.

Commenting, IFM executive director Neil Doherty said Nala's operational experience and expertise will provide a compelling opportunity to capture the growing demand for renewable power in the UK.

"Critical to this success has been the dedication of the entire Nala team. We are excited to support Nala's next phase of growth and to accelerate the energy transition by building a best-in-class renewable platform," Doherty said.

"I would like to thank Trafigura for their valuable partnership and contribution to the growth of Nala over the past six years."

Separately, IFM is set to acquire 100% of Briggs Equipment UK from long-term owner Sammons Enterprises.

Briggs Equipment is a UK provider of materials handling and specialist rental equipment, focusing on the leasing, maintenance, repair and fleet management of industrial assets.

The business serves customers across a diversified range of infrastructure and adjacent sectors and a diversified blue-chip client base with a high-quality installed fleet, providing a mix of downside protection and growth potential, IFM said.

Housing more than 40 depots and over 850 engineers, the portfolio includes a managed fleet of some 53,000 assets, making it one of the largest independent materials handling platforms in the UK.

The transaction is expected to complete in Q2 2026.

IFM head of infrastructure Europe Deepa Bharadwaj said the firm already has significant presence in the infrastructure sector, through deals like Manchester Airports Group, the M6 toll, Anglian Water and Nala Renewables.

"We are pleased to partner with Briggs as it enters the next stage of its development. As a well-established business operating within the infrastructure value chain, we believe Briggs is well positioned for success, and we see opportunity to support management's growth strategy and aim to drive long-term value creation," Bharadwaj said.

Briggs managing director Peter Jones added: "We are pleased to welcome IFM Investors as our new partner. The team at IFM share our values, vision and commitment to providing mission-critical equipment to our valued customers."

"Their investment builds on all that has been achieved to date, and we look forward to working together to cement our position as a leader in materials handling and specialist rental in the UK and Ireland."

The UK remains one of IFM's most important markets globally, with over $11 billion (£5.8bn) invested in the country as of March 2026, it said.