Investment Strategy
Storebrand manages approximately $100 billion across its pension, insurance, and asset management businesses, making it one of Norway’s and the Nordic region’s largest financial services providers. The company serves both occupational pension clients and individual savers, offering a range of investment products across risk profiles.
Storebrand’s investment strategy combines traditional asset allocation with a deep commitment to sustainable investing that has become a hallmark of the firm. The portfolio spans global public equities, fixed income, real estate, infrastructure, private equity, and private credit. Asset allocation reflects the different mandates across Storebrand’s pension, insurance, and unit-linked products, with each segment calibrated to its specific liability and regulatory requirements.
The company has been a pioneer in responsible investment in the Nordic market. Storebrand maintains one of the most comprehensive exclusion policies among European institutional investors, covering fossil fuels, tobacco, weapons, and companies that violate international norms. Beyond exclusions, Storebrand integrates ESG factors into its investment analysis and engages actively with companies and fund managers on sustainability issues.
Storebrand has progressively increased its alternatives allocation over the past decade, recognizing that private markets offer return premiums and diversification benefits that support long-term performance.
Private Markets Approach
Storebrand’s private markets program spans private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and private credit, managed by dedicated teams within the investment organization.
Private equity investments are made through fund commitments to buyout, growth equity, and co-investment strategies in Europe and globally. Storebrand selects managers based on track record, strategy differentiation, and alignment with the company’s sustainability standards. The fund favors managers that integrate ESG into their investment processes and can demonstrate the impact of sustainability practices on value creation.
Infrastructure has become a particularly important allocation for Storebrand, driven by both return objectives and the company’s climate commitments. Storebrand has invested significantly in renewable energy, including wind and solar projects in the Nordics and Europe. The fund also invests in core infrastructure across transportation, digital, and social sectors. Infrastructure investments are made through both fund commitments and direct investments.
Real estate is a substantial allocation. Storebrand holds a significant portfolio of Norwegian and Nordic commercial and residential property, managed through its real estate subsidiary. International real estate exposure is accessed through fund investments. Sustainability is a key consideration in real estate, with Storebrand targeting energy-efficient buildings and green-certified developments.
Private credit provides diversified income through direct lending and structured credit strategies. This allocation complements Storebrand’s fixed income portfolio and offers enhanced yield with careful credit risk management.
How to Approach
Storebrand’s investment team in Oslo is accessible to fund managers but maintains high standards for manager selection. GPs must demonstrate not only strong investment track records but also genuine alignment with Storebrand’s sustainability framework.
Managers should review Storebrand’s exclusion lists, ESG integration requirements, and climate commitments before approaching. GPs that cannot meet the fund’s sustainability standards will not be considered regardless of investment performance.
Storebrand’s team attends major conferences including SuperReturn, PRI in Person, and Nordic institutional investor events. The company is also active in sustainable finance forums and collaborative investor initiatives, providing additional channels for relationship building.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Storebrand allocate to alternatives?
Storebrand targets approximately 15% of its assets in alternatives including private equity, infrastructure, real estate, and private credit. The allocation has been growing as Storebrand seeks higher returns and diversification beyond traditional public markets. Storebrand's alternatives program is distinguished by its deep integration of sustainability criteria, reflecting the company's position as a pioneer in responsible investment in the Nordic market.
How can fund managers approach Storebrand?
Fund managers should approach Storebrand's investment team in Oslo. Storebrand evaluates managers on track record, strategy quality, fee competitiveness, and alignment with its sustainability standards. Storebrand is known for its rigorous exclusion criteria and ESG integration requirements, and GPs must be prepared to meet these standards. The team attends major European institutional investor conferences and sustainable finance events.
What is Storebrand's typical commitment size?
Storebrand's commitments to individual private market funds typically range from $30 million to $150 million depending on the strategy. For infrastructure and real estate direct investments, the fund can deploy larger amounts. Storebrand's scale across its pension, insurance, and asset management businesses provides meaningful capital for GP relationships.
