IFM Investors Fund To Acquire Majority Stake In Associated British Ports From CPP Investments And OMERS

CPP Investments and OMERS have agreed to sell their entire stakes in Associated British Ports to a fund managed by IFM Investors, transferring majority ownership of the U.K. ports operator to the infrastructure investor.

CPP Investments is selling its 33.9% interest in Associated British Ports, while OMERS is selling its 30.0% stake. Together, the interests represent 63.9% of the company.

CPP Investments initially acquired its position in Associated British Ports in 2015, while OMERS first invested in 2006.

Associated British Ports operates 19 port facilities across the U.K. and handles approximately 25% of the country’s seaborne trade. The company also supports more than half of the U.K.’s offshore wind sector and has been investing in infrastructure tied to trade, industrial activity, and the energy transition.

Projects supported during the ownership period of CPP Investments and OMERS include the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal, Green Port Hull, and Southampton’s Horizon cruise terminal.

IFM Investors said the transaction fits its long-term infrastructure investment strategy and expands its exposure to strategically located transportation assets. The firm also highlighted Associated British Ports’ role in serving major U.K. trade and industrial regions.

For CPP Investments, the transaction provides an opportunity to realize value from a long-term infrastructure holding and redeploy capital into new investments. CPP Investments managed C$863.6 billion as of June 30, 2026.

OMERS Infrastructure said the sale concludes approximately two decades of ownership while emphasizing that the U.K. remains a priority market for future infrastructure investments. OMERS Infrastructure manages approximately C$40.9 billion across about 30 investments globally.

Associated British Ports management said the addition of IFM Investors as a major shareholder will support continued investment and growth across its network.

The transaction remains subject to customary shareholder, stakeholder, and regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the first half of 2027.

KEY QUOTES:

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement where a fund managed by IFM would acquire a majority stake in ABP, the UK’s largest ports group1 with strategically located assets serving some of the country’s most important trade and industrial regions. We look forward to supporting continued development of ABP’s infrastructure and operations, drawing on IFM’s long-term investment approach and experience across ports and other essential infrastructure assets. As an investor owned by Australian and UK pension funds, this transaction reflects our longstanding commitment to mobilising pension capital into UK infrastructure. We are excited to work closely with ABP’s management team, employees and our fellow shareholders to support the company’s continued success.”

Kyle Mangini, Global Head Of Infrastructure At IFM Investors

“We are proud to have supported ABP for over a decade, during which time it has continued to operate and develop the critical infrastructure that underpins trade across the U.K. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the management team, employees across the country, the Board and fellow investors for their hard work and partnership throughout our period of ownership. ABP is a high-quality business which has an extremely important role to play supporting the U.K. economy in the years ahead and we are confident it will continue to thrive under new ownership. This transaction represents an attractive opportunity to realize the value of our long-term investment and recycle capital into new opportunities, helping us deliver strong long-term returns for CPP contributors and beneficiaries.”

James Bryce, Managing Director And Head Of Infrastructure At CPP Investments

“We are proud to have supported ABP over the past 20 years, working alongside fellow shareholders and management to grow and strengthen one of the UK’s critical infrastructure businesses. During our ownership and with our support, ABP has continued to invest in its ports, support UK trade and develop new opportunities linked to the energy transition, including through major projects such the Immingham Renewable Fuels Terminal, Green Port Hull and Southampton’s Horizon cruise terminal. I would like to thank the management team, employees and fellow shareholders for their contributions and wish them continued success. The UK remains a priority market for OMERS Infrastructure, and we are actively exploring new opportunities to invest in high-quality infrastructure businesses across the country.”

Luca Lupo, Senior Managing Director And Head Of Europe At OMERS Infrastructure

“Today marks a bold new chapter for ABP. Since my arrival at ABP eight years ago, I have experienced firsthand the support for our business and the execution of growth opportunities provided by CPP Investments and OMERS. On behalf of the entire company, I would like to extend my profound appreciation for their partnership. Attracting investment from a fund managed by IFM Investors is a powerful endorsement of our business, our people and our strategy. We are excited to unlock further growth opportunities, together with IFM Investors and our other shareholders, continuing ABP’s long-term investment benefitting our customers, our local communities, and the UK.”

Henrik L. Pedersen, CEO Of Associated British Ports