First State Investments Limited has hired Nick Grant as director of infrastructure investments to its European direct infrastructure team, in the latest of a series of hires, as it expands the London-based team. Grant has extensive experience in the consulting, utilities and energy sectors having previously held roles at Centrica, British Gas and most recently as CEO of Severn Trent Services for the United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy from 2014, managing eight separate unregulated businesses across the group with combined revenues of £600 million ($810 million) and 800 employees.
Grant’s hire follows the appointments of Roberte Kesteman as a senior adviser and Sarah Cole as director of investor relations, a new role within the business, earlier this year.
Kesteman joined First State in an advisory capacity, where she brings 15 years of executive leadership experience in the energy sector. She is currently non-executive director of Elia System Operator NV and Elia Asset NV and was a senior adviser to Fluxys NV in 2016 and 2017. Between 2012 and 2014, she was CEO of the Greek gas distribution and supply companies EPA Thessalonikis and EPA Thessalias and prior to that, she was CEO of energy supplier Nuon Belgium NV, which she joined in 2002 as CFO.
Cole joined the team from Elm Capital Associates, where she was a principal, having previously led investor relations at Foresight Group in London.
Niall Mills, partner in First State’s unlisted infrastructure team said, “We’re very pleased to have welcomed Nick, Roberte and Sarah to our team — their deep infrastructure expertise will further enhance our capabilities and help us to boost the growth of our business and, most importantly, our focus on sustainable long-term value for our clients.”
