Media

Release:


New Pan-African Initiative with a focus on infrastructure funding to be
launched.

John Oliphant has joined forces with financial services industry veterans and
Fieldstone Africa to establish a new Pan-African initiative to pursue
infrastructure investment opportunities.

Four years ago Botha Schabort and Leon de Wit, both businessmen involved with
the establishment of the listed PSG Group, identified the need for the South
African institutional market to participate in the funding of infrastructure assets,
and specifically renewable energy assets. Fieldstone Africa, a leading Pan-
African advisory firm, joined forces with them to create an investment team with
a unique skills set and access to deal flow.

When John Oliphant, the former Principal Executive Officer of the GEPF, decided
to add his experience and passion for the subject to their initiative, it paved the
way for the establishment of Gaia Investment Partners (Gaia). Gaia will provide
complete funding solutions to infrastructure challenges across the African
continent with an initial focus on the South African market. The firm will be
formally launched in March 2015 under the leadership of Oliphant, who will
assume the role of Chief Executive Officer. Gaia will house a unique combination
of skills, which will include: technical engineering, project finance, deal flow,
capital markets, asset management, and retirement fund management.


Commenting on the launch of the partnership, Clive Ferreira says: As Fieldstone
we are excited about this groundbreaking initiative, as we believe it represents
an innovative way of addressing the infrastructure funding deficit. We have long
held a view that as more private sector infrastructure projects in Africa reach
commercial operation, there will be a need for short term capital to be replaced
by patient long-term income-seeking capital. To date the African long term
savings industry has not participated fully in terms of making investments in
infrastructure. We believe that Gaia will provide an important conduit for long
term investors to gain meaningful exposure to infrastructure investment
opportunities.

Gaia will launch having concluded transactions amounting to R1.3 billion in the
South African renewable energy program, with a significant deal pipeline to be
concluded in 2015.


Notes to the editor:

1) The details of the launch of Gaia Investment Partners will be
communicated in due course. In the meantime, any queries regarding this
release should be addressed to indira@fpcg.co.za

2) About John Oliphant
John Oliphant is the former Principal Executive Officer (PEO) of the GEPF,
the largest Pension Fund in Africa with assets north of (R1.4 trillion)
US$120 billion. He was the key driver behind GEPF's leading investment
policies and strategy. Working closely with the board, he managed to
double the assets of the GEPF in less than 5 years, during the toughest
economic environment in recent history.
John also served on a number of key strategic industry initiatives,
including being a member of the PRI Advisory Council and Chairman of
CRISA. John helped establish the Code for Responsible Investing in South
Africa (CRISA) which is hailed as one of the best in the world. This lead
him to winning an Imbasa Yegolide Industry Person of the Year Award in
financial services in 2012. He was also recognised by the Mail and
Guardian as one of the Top 200 young South Africans in 2012, for his
contribution to the pension fund industry. In 2013 he was named Africa's
Top Emerging Leader by Africa Investor magazine. John holds a BSc
(Hons) in Advanced Mathematics of Finance, and a BSc in Actuarial
Science & Mathematical Statistics, and is currently studying towards an
MSc in Economic Policy.
3) About Fieldstone
Fieldstone is an independent international investment banking boutique
providing clients with sophisticated financial advisory services. It is a
leading Pan-African advisory firm having been recognized as an advisor of
the year in Africa by Africa Investor for 6 successive years from 2008 to
2013.
Fieldstone is focused on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Its narrow
sector focus enables it to provide in-depth services and insightful
solutions. The services are discreet, relationship driven, and individually
tailored to clients needs. Fieldstone is able to execute complex domestic,
international, and cross-border transactions based on its broad market
knowledge, structuring expertise, and demonstrated access to capital
markets around the globe.
Fieldstone was founded in 1990, is 100% employee-owned, and has more
than 40 professionals working in key locations around the world.
www.fpcg.com