Octopus Investments, part of Octopus Group, today announces the appointment of former UK Government Director of Investment for the Middle East, Robert Cashmore MBE. Robert joins Octopus this month as Head of Institutional Funds Distribution, Middle East.
Based in London, Robert will support Octopus’ institutional growth strategy, bringing the company’s unique investment opportunities to more investors in the Middle East. His deep knowledge of public and private investment opportunities across the region will be fundamental as Octopus drives its global institutional fundraising strategy. Robert will work alongside Mark Williams, Head of Institutional Funds Distribution.
Before joining Octopus, Robert was the UK Government’s Director for Investment for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan, based at the British Embassy in Dubai. Prior to this, Robert was the UK Government’s Head of Investment for Saudi Arabia, based in Riyadh, where he managed the Government’s relationship with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, alongside several other public, private and high net worth investors.
During his time in the Middle East, Robert was central to creating the UK Government’s £10 billion United Arab Emirates-UK sovereign investment partnership, the largest coordinated investment framework delivered by the British Government to date.
Robert’s experience is rooted in the investment banking sector having spent four years in the City of London working for Barclays Capital, UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He has extensive knowledge of the UK infrastructure landscape from his time spent with the Department for Transport and experience advising a host of UK universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge on international capital raising for domestic projects.
Chris Hulatt, co-founder of Octopus Group, said:
“Robert’s impressive experience of public and private sector fundraising will open up exciting opportunities as we continue to fundraise into sectors that deliver meaningful environmental and social change for global investors.”
“Our institutional offer is an important and growing component of the group, and we recognise the opportunity to help more Middle Eastern institutions achieve their return and impact objectives, as interest in this area increases. Robert’s on the ground experience gives him a unique understanding of the international investment landscape, and how Octopus’ investment solutions meet the changing needs of investors in the Middle East.”
Robert Cashmore said:
“I am excited to be joining this dynamic team at a time when global investors are seeking diverse impact and sustainable investment opportunities. Following Brexit, markets have witnessed a distinct spike in Middle Eastern investment in UK projects. These investments have supported the global technology and energy transitions, with similar growth observed in the venture capital and healthcare sectors. Octopus’ strengths in each of these four asset classes present a compelling opportunity for Middle Eastern investment, with the potential for strong, long-term returns and significant UK job creation.”
Octopus currently manages £3.2 billion on behalf of institutional investors, representing a core and growing business within the Group.
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