IFM executive lands at Stafford Capital

Stafford Capital Partners chair Brett Himbury has hired a former colleague to head up client solutions for the $7.9 billion timberland, agriculture and forestry investor.

Valentina Abbott joins the private markets investment firm as global head of client solutions.

She arrives from IFM Investors where she headed up the firm's global relationship group.

There, she worked with Himbury  - who was IFM's chief executive - and was a member of his executive team.

Reporting to current chief executive Angus Whiteley, Abbott will continue to be based in London as she helps accelerate investment in the firm's sustainable alternative investment vehicles.

Before her 12 years with IFM, Abbott held senior positions at UniSuper and JB Were.

She spent nine years at the super fund as executive manager, member and employer services and two years as the wealth firm's national manager of client services.

Whiteley said that the firm was excited to welcome Valentina.

"Valentina Abbott is amongst the most senior and accomplished business development leaders in the global finance industry. Her deep experience managing client relations around the world for over a decade at IFM demonstrates that she can build deep, long-standing relationships with clients and deliver outstanding outcomes for them."

"We are delighted to have Valentina on board as we support institutions towards their net zero goals, and we continue to enhance and scale the client experience globally."

Valentina Abbott said today that she was excited about the growth trajectory Stafford is on.

"I am attracted to Stafford's strong emphasis on its responsible investment partnerships with pension funds and insurance companies and look forward to working to support our clients on their net zero journey."

She is replaced at IFM by John Gee-Grant, who is also based in London reporting to chief strategy officer Luba Nikulina.

Gee-Grant was managing director and head of international distribution and global consultant relations at PGIM Quantitative Solutions until late last year.