Super’s biggest problem likely lies within funds themselves, with many using legacy operational infrastructure ill-suited to the needs of the major financial organisations they’ve become.
The race to the bottom on low cost, benchmark aware solutions for a post-YFYS world has pretty much been run. But while the perception of value currently sits on price, that might not be where it ends up, according to Fidelity’s Simon Glazier.
The data must flow: AussieSuper bets big on DataBank
It’s a digital age, and – to paraphrase Frank Herbert – whoever controls the data controls the universe.
It’s why AustralianSuper has handed over $2.2 billion for a 20 per cent stake in the US-based DataBank, a data center platform providing enterprise-class edge colocation, interconnection, and managed services, in a move that should supercharge the company’s growth.
“AustralianSuper’s investment in DataBank comes at an exciting time with strong tailwinds across the sector, coupled with DataBank’s ambitious expansion program and diverse business base,” said Jason Peasley, AustralianSuper head of mid risk Portfolios. “We’re delighted to support DataBank, and its experienced leadership team, capitalise on the unprecedented demand for cloud and AI infrastructure.
“DataBank will grow and further diversify our global digital infrastructure exposure, a sector we believe will help deliver sustainable, long-term performance for more than 3.4 million members.”
So-called digital infrastructure assets like data centres sit astride powerful themes like the rise of AI and the shift to cloud computing, and pension funds around the world are pouring billions into them. Aware Super recently joined in on the AU$3.4 billion recapitalisation of euNetworks, a fibre connectivity network that links data centres throughout Europe, while this deal follows AustralianSuper’s acquisition of a “significant minority stake” in Vantage Data Centers EMEA) for $2.5 billion in 2023.
“Along with the continued support of our existing investors, it’s a vote of confidence in our strategy and our proven ability to execute and scale the DataBank platform,” said DataBank CEO Raul Martynek. “This investment, and our new campuses, are a game-changer for DataBank and our customers, allowing us to bring this capacity to market now and seize the incredible opportunity ahead of us.”
AustralianSuper’s global real assets portfolio now totals nearly $60 billion, and includes digital infrastructure assets across Australia, EMEA and South America.
