Ninety One

About Ninety One

Ninety One is a leading global active investment manager headquartered in London, with origins dating back to 1991 when it was founded as Investec Asset Management. The firm operates across multiple asset classes including equities, fixed income, and multi-asset strategies, serving institutional and retail clients worldwide. With a strong presence in emerging markets and developed economies, Ninety One combines deep local expertise with a global perspective to deliver long-term investment performance.

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Ninety One is committed to responsible investing and integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into its investment process. The firm is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and actively supports the transition to a sustainable economy through its investment choices and stewardship activities. With over 240 investment professionals across 20 offices globally, Ninety One leverages its diverse expertise to help clients achieve their financial goals while making a positive impact on society and the environment.

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Mission, Goals, and Values

Ninety One’s mission is to deliver long-term investment returns for its clients while making a positive difference to people and the planet. The firm is committed to responsible investing that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into its decision-making, aiming to support sustainable economic growth and inclusive development globally. Rooted in a heritage of active management and emerging market expertise, Ninety One seeks to harness change and innovation to build a better future for clients and communities worldwide.

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Goals
Ninety One aims to:

• Identify and invest in companies and assets that contribute to sustainable development, particularly in emerging markets and sectors aligned with the transition to a net-zero economy.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement to enhance investment outcomes and client service.
• Engage actively with portfolio companies and stakeholders to promote ESG best practices and responsible business conduct.
• Support diversity, inclusion, and community development within the firm and across its investment ecosystem.
• Advocate for a just and inclusive transition to net zero, ensuring that climate action benefits all regions and populations.

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Values
Ninety One’s core values are ambition, care, and integrity. The firm believes that delivering outstanding investment performance and positive societal impact go hand in hand. Its culture encourages debate, ethical conduct, and a commitment to “doing the right thing.” Ninety One integrates ESG considerations throughout its investment process, guided by its framework of Invest, Advocate, and Inhabit: investing responsibly, advocating for sustainable finance, and inhabiting its role as a steward of the environment and society. The firm is a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, reflecting its dedication to sustainability and responsible capitalism.

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Founders and Origin Story

Ninety One was founded in 1991 in South Africa as Investec Asset Management by Hendrik du Toit, who continues to serve as the firm’s Chief Executive Officer. Hendrik began his career in asset management in 1988 and joined Investec Group in 1991, where he established its asset management arm. In 2020, following a strategic demerger from Investec, the business rebranded as Ninety One, signifying its transition into an independent, global investment manager.

Under Hendrik’s leadership, Ninety One has grown into a firm with a presence on multiple continents and a broad suite of active investment strategies across equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternatives. The company is dual-listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.

Explore the founder’s professional journey: Hendrik du Toit LinkedIn

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Investment Focus

Ninety One is a global active investment manager focused on delivering long-term value and positive impact for clients, people, and the planet. The firm’s primary objective is to invest in scalable opportunities that drive sustainable economic growth, support the energy transition, and foster inclusive development across both developed and emerging markets.

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Geographic Scope:

Ninety One invests worldwide, with recognised expertise in emerging markets alongside developed economies. The firm is headquartered in London and Cape Town and maintains a presence in over 20 countries, offering a global perspective and access to diverse investment opportunities.

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Sectors of Interest:

Ninety One manages a broad range of strategies across asset classes and sectors, with a focus on:

• Equities: Global, regional, and specialist equities, including emerging and frontier markets, sustainable and thematic strategies (e.g. technology, healthcare, financials, consumer, industrials). Notably, some sustainability-labelled funds have recently been rebranded to align with updated strategy names.
• Fixed Income & Credit: Differentiated strategies including sovereign, corporate, and sustainable bonds, alongside private credit solutions tailored to long-term value creation.
• Multi-Asset & Alternatives: Diversified multi-asset portfolios, alternative investments, and real assets designed to meet a variety of client needs and risk appetites.
• Sustainable Investment: ESG-integrated funds with dedicated solutions for climate transition, energy infrastructure, and impact investing. Ninety One is regarded as a leader in sustainable finance, especially within emerging markets.

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Investment Criteria

To be considered for investment by Ninety One, opportunities typically must:

• Demonstrate potential for meaningful long-term value creation and, where applicable, measurable social or environmental impact.
• Have a credible business model and clear growth strategy aligned with market demand and global trends.
• Meet robust ESG standards, including climate risk governance, responsible business conduct, and contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals..
• Be of sufficient scale or relevance, with a validated or strongly evidenced concept, especially for private credit and specialist equity strategies.
• Fit within Ninety One’s parameters for asset class, sector, and geography, as defined by individual fund mandates.
• Align with Ninety One’s mission-driven approach, which integrates financial performance with positive societal outcomes, particularly in facilitating a just and inclusive transition to net zero.

These principles guide the firm’s selection of high-quality, impactful companies and assets with the potential to deliver lasting returns and shared prosperity.

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Assessment

Ninety One employs a rigorous, multi-stage assessment process to identify and support high-quality investment opportunities across global equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative strategies. The process is designed to ensure that each investment aligns with the firm’s mission to deliver long-term value and positive impact for clients, people, and the planet.

Initial Screening

• Universe Screening:
  Each opportunity is initially screened for alignment with Ninety One’s investment philosophy, which emphasises long-term value creation, sustainability, and risk-adjusted returns. This involves both quantitative metrics (such as financial performance, valuation multiples, and volatility) and qualitative factors (including industry positioning, management strength, and business model resilience).
• ESG Integration:
  Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations are systematically integrated at this early stage. Investment teams use proprietary frameworks and firmwide tools to identify sustainability risks and opportunities. ESG data from internal and external sources is embedded into pre-investment research to ensure consistency with the firm’s sustainability and responsible investment policies.

Fundamental Analysis and Due Diligence

• In-depth Research:
  Specialist investment professionals conduct thorough research and modelling, including financial forecasts, industry and peer analysis, and strategic reviews. For equities and private assets, this may include management interviews, site visits, and assessment of a company’s competitive positioning and capital allocation discipline.
• ESG and Sustainability Assessment:
  Each investment is evaluated using Ninety One’s proprietary ESG scoring methodologies. Assessments include climate risk, carbon footprinting, net-zero alignment, stakeholder governance, and broader sustainability practices. For companies in higher-emitting sectors, dedicated climate transition evaluations are conducted, with reference to emissions intensity, transition pathways, and disclosure quality.
• Technical and Market Validation:
  The maturity and scalability of the product, service, or asset is validated through commercial and technical due diligence. This includes analysis of market traction, regulatory outlook, and alignment with global sustainability goals, particularly the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For infrastructure and private credit, the impact potential and climate alignment are explicitly reviewed.

Investment Committee Review

• Comprehensive Review:
  All opportunities that pass internal due diligence are submitted to the relevant investment committee. Each committee, tailored by asset class or strategy, evaluates the financial and ESG case, risk-return profile, macro and sector outlook, and contribution to portfolio objectives. Additional scenario analysis or external expert input may be used in complex cases.
• Portfolio Construction and Risk Controls:
  Investment decisions are made in the context of portfolio-level considerations, including diversification, liquidity, correlation, sustainability targets, and exposure to climate and ESG risk. Position sizes are calibrated based on conviction level, potential impact, and contribution to client mandates and fiduciary obligations.

Ongoing Monitoring and Engagement

• Continuous ESG Monitoring:
  Post-investment, Ninety One actively monitors ESG risks, performance metrics, and sustainability targets across its portfolios. A central ESG and stewardship team works in tandem with investment teams to track ESG incidents, voting activity, regulatory developments, and portfolio company progress on climate goals and governance.
• Exclusion Policies:
  The firm applies strict exclusions across its strategies in line with responsible investment commitments. Sectors and activities excluded include controversial weapons, thermal coal, tobacco, and other industries inconsistent with Ninety One’s values and sustainability policies. Exclusion lists are regularly reviewed and updated.

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Funding Sources

Ninety One is a global investment manager supported by a broad base of institutional and individual investors. The firm manages a diverse suite of investment funds and strategies, including public and private equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative investments. Its capital base is drawn from:

• Institutional Investors:
  Ninety One’s clients include pension funds, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, and foundations from around the world. The firm is a trusted manager for major institutional mandates, including those from Allianz Global Investors, ABSA, Standard Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, among others. These institutions participate in flagship funds such as the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund and the Africa Credit Opportunities Fund, providing large-scale debt and equity commitments.
• Private and Public Market Vehicles:
  The firm offers a range of open-ended and closed-ended funds, SICAVs, and segregated mandates, enabling both retail and professional investors to access global investment opportunities. Its funds are listed on platforms in the UK, South Africa, and internationally, with shares traded on both the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges.
• Employee Ownership and Public Shareholders:
  Following its demerger from Investec Group in 2020, Ninety One operates as an independent, publicly listed company with a significant proportion of employee ownership. This structure underpins the firm’s entrepreneurial culture and long-term alignment with clients.
• Strategic Partnerships and Mandates:
  Ninety One secures large-scale mandates and forms partnerships with global financial institutions and development banks. For example, the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund recently raised $325 million in new debt facilities from a consortium of global investors, including Allianz, ABSA, Standard Bank, SMBC, and Swedfund, to support infrastructure investment in emerging markets.

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Ninety One’s investment professionals play a central role in sourcing opportunities, conducting due diligence, and supporting portfolio growth across asset classes, ensuring rigorous stewardship of capital for its diverse investor base.

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Investment Details

Stages:

Ninety One invests across the full spectrum of public and private markets, offering a wide range of strategies tailored to different client needs and risk profiles. The firm manages funds that cover:

• Listed Equities: Global, regional, and specialist equity strategies, including emerging and frontier markets, sustainable and thematic equities.
• Fixed Income & Credit: Sovereign, corporate, high yield, and sustainable bond funds, as well as private credit and infrastructure debt.
• Multi-Asset & Alternatives: Diversified portfolios that blend equities, bonds, real assets, and alternatives, including infrastructure and private markets.
• Private Markets: Select exposure to private equity, infrastructure, and real assets, particularly in emerging markets and through specialist mandates.

This allows Ninety One to support clients from capital preservation to long-term growth, across market cycles and geographies.

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Equity:

Ninety One’s investments are typically made through pooled fund vehicles, mandates, and listed products. Clients access equity exposure via:

• Open-ended and closed-ended funds listed on platforms in the UK, South Africa, and internationally.
• Segregated mandates for large institutional clients, tailored to specific asset class, sector, or sustainability objectives.
• Publicly traded shares in Ninety One itself, as the firm is listed on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges.

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Unlike venture capital firms, Ninety One does not take direct equity stakes in startups; rather, it invests in listed and private companies, infrastructure projects, and credit instruments through its managed funds.

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Funds:

Ninety One manages a diverse suite of funds and strategies, including:

• Global Environment Fund: Focused on companies enabling the low-carbon transition.
• Global Sustainable Equity Fund: Investing in businesses with strong ESG credentials and positive impact.
• Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund: Backing infrastructure projects in high-growth markets.
• Africa Credit Opportunities Fund: Providing private credit to support sustainable development.
• Flagship multi-asset and fixed income funds serving institutional and retail clients worldwide.

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Funds are structured to provide access to global opportunities, with options for both retail and institutional investors, and are available in a range of currencies and jurisdictions.

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Recent Developments:

Ninety One has continued to expand its platform and product offering, launching new sustainable and impact-focused funds such as the Global Environment Fund and strengthening its leadership in emerging markets and infrastructure finance. The firm has raised significant new capital for African infrastructure and credit strategies, secured major institutional mandates, and grown its assets under management to over $180 billion. Recent activity includes investments in renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate-aligned equities, reflecting Ninety One’s commitment to responsible investment and long-term value creation.

Ninety One’s scale, global reach, and sector expertise enable it to serve a wide range of clients and to lead in sustainable finance, supporting the transition to a more inclusive and low-carbon global economy.

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Impact

Ninety One is committed to delivering positive social and environmental impact alongside long-term financial returns. The firm integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into every stage of its investment process, using proprietary sustainability assessments and aligning with international frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, Ninety One actively engages with portfolio companies to encourage climate action, improved disclosure, and responsible business practices.

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The firm maintains clear exclusion policies, avoiding investments in sectors such as controversial weapons, thermal coal, and tobacco, and prioritises real-world decarbonisation, particularly in emerging markets. Ninety One’s dedicated Sustainability and Stewardship team works closely with investment professionals to monitor ESG progress, support companies in setting science-based climate targets, and report transparently on outcomes. This approach ensures that Ninety One’s investments contribute to sustainable development and the transition to a low-carbon global economy.

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Community

Ninety One actively cultivates a global community of investment professionals, institutional clients, and sustainability advocates, connecting specialists, policy influencers, and financial leaders across both developed and emerging markets. The firm hosts regular events such as investor forums, thought leadership webinars, stewardship briefings, and ESG-focused discussions. Notably, its Investment Institute provides research-driven insights on global trends, transition finance, and sustainability, while flagship gatherings like the Global Investor Forum bring together global leaders to focus on sustainable growth and climate action. Portfolio managers and clients benefit from direct access to in-house ESG specialists, stewardship teams, and inclusion networks for guidance on governance, climate strategy, and sustainable development goals.

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Ninety One also engages a wider audience through its “Invest, Advocate, Inhabit” sustainability platform, which offers insights, advocacy, and best practices in responsible investment. This includes regular publications, policy updates, and podcasts such as The Big Picture, connecting clients and the broader financial community to the latest thinking on impact finance, transition pathways, and global ESG trends. By fostering collaboration, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, Ninety One empowers its clients and investment teams to drive meaningful progress in advancing sustainability, inclusive development, and long-term value.

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The Team

Ninety One is led by an experienced team of global investment professionals, sector specialists, and business leaders with deep expertise across asset management, emerging markets, sustainability, and financial innovation. United by a commitment to delivering long-term value and positive impact, the team combines backgrounds in investment, economics, risk management, and responsible finance to serve institutional and individual clients worldwide.

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Leadership and Key Team Members

• Hendrik du Toit – Founder & Chief Executive Officer
  Hendrik du Toit founded Ninety One (originally Investec Asset Management) in 1991 and has served as CEO since inception. With over three decades of experience in asset management, Hendrik has guided the firm’s global expansion and is a recognised leader in sustainable finance and emerging markets. He is a frequent speaker at international investment forums and has been instrumental in shaping Ninety One’s responsible investment philosophy.
• John Green – Deputy CEO
  John Green has held senior leadership roles at Ninety One since 1998, including Global Head of Distribution and now Deputy CEO. He oversees the firm’s global client and distribution strategy, drawing on extensive experience in international asset management and client relations.

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Additional Team Members

Ninety One employs more than 240 investment professionals across 21 offices in 14 countries, making it one of the largest and most diverse teams among independent asset managers. Collectively, Ninety One’s team provides clients with deep market insight, rigorous research, and access to a global network of industry leaders and sustainability advocates. The firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to responsible investment underpin its ability to deliver long-term value and positive real-world impact.

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View Ninety Ones team members on the Ninety One website.

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FAQs

1. What is Ninety One’s investment strategy?
   Ninety One is a global active investment manager focused on delivering long-term value and positive impact for clients, people, and the planet. The firm’s strategy centres on investing in scalable opportunities that drive sustainable economic growth, support the energy transition, and foster inclusive development across both developed and emerging markets. Ninety One integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into all investment decisions, aiming to generate financial returns alongside measurable real-world outcomes.
2. What sectors does Ninety One invest in?‍
Key areas of focus include financial inclusion, infrastructure, telecoms, energy transition, sustainable materials, healthcare, and technology.

3. What does Ninety One look for in investments?
   Ninety One seeks high-quality companies and assets with the potential for significant long-term value creation and, where relevant, measurable social or environmental impact. The firm looks for robust business models, credible growth strategies, strong management teams, and alignment with ESG best practices. Investments are selected based on rigorous research, market relevance, and the ability to contribute to global sustainability goals.
4. What stage does Ninety One invest in?
   Ninety One invests across the full spectrum of public and private markets, including listed equities, fixed income and credit, private markets and infrastructure (select exposure, particularly in emerging markets). The firm does not operate as a venture capital or private equity investor in startups, but rather allocates capital through managed funds and mandates to companies and projects at varying stages of maturity.

5. What is the typical investment size?
   Investment sizes vary widely depending on the fund, asset class, and client mandate. Ninety One manages portfolios ranging from individual client accounts to large institutional mandates and multi-billion dollar funds. The firm’s scale allows it to invest in both large listed companies and significant infrastructure projects, as well as to provide tailored solutions for institutional and individual investors.
6. What support is available to portfolio companies and clients?
   Ninety One provides active stewardship, ESG integration, and engagement with portfolio companies to encourage responsible business practices and climate action. Clients benefit from access to a global team of investment professionals, sector specialists, and sustainability experts. The firm offers research-driven insights, thought leadership, and regular reporting on financial and impact performance.
7. Where is Ninety One based?
   Ninety One is headquartered in London, UK, with deep roots in Cape Town, South Africa. The firm operates from 21 offices in 14 countries, serving clients globally across developed and emerging markets.
8. When was Ninety One founded?
   Ninety One was founded in 1991 as Investec Asset Management in South Africa. It became an independent, publicly listed company under the Ninety One brand in 2020.
9. How can I apply for funding or get in touch?
   Ninety One does not provide direct funding to startups or companies seeking venture capital. Institutional and individual investors can access Ninety One’s investment strategies by contacting the firm through its official website or speaking with a Ninety One representative. For more information, visit the Ninety One website and stay updated with the latest news and insights by following Ninety One on LinkedIn.

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Contact

Are you an institutional investor, asset owner, or financial adviser seeking global investment solutions with a focus on sustainability, emerging markets, or the energy transition? Discover how Ninety One can help you achieve your long-term goals by visiting: Ninety One Website.

Stay updated with the latest news, insights, and investment opportunities by following Ninety One on LinkedIn: Ninety One LinkedIn.

Explore more UK opportunities for greentech investment at Adopter’s Greentech Investors Map.

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