H.I.G. Capital Expands Senior Infrastructure Team with the Addition of Antonio Botija and George Watts

H.I.G. Capital, LLC ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment firm with $48 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce the expansion of its dedicated Infrastructure team with the addition of Antonio Botija as a Managing Director in H.I.G.’s London office and George Watts as Managing Director in H.I.G.’s New York office.

Antonio has over 20 years of experience in infrastructure private equity with a focus on the middle market. Antonio has been covering a wide range of regions and sectors, including sustainable energy, digital, transport and social infrastructure. Prior to joining H.I.G., he was Head of Origination & Investments for Infrastructure Investments at Columbia Threadneedle where he led the initial investments of their European Sustainable Infrastructure Fund. Before that, Antonio previously worked at Hastings Funds Management, Infracapital Partners and UBS Investment Bank.

George joins H.I.G. with approximately 20 years of experience in infrastructure private equity and advisory. He brings global experience across the energy and energy transition sectors, as well as in transportation and communications. Prior to joining H.I.G., George was a Managing Director at Stonepeak Partners where he led multiple investments in both their flagship North American Infrastructure Funds and their inaugural Global Renewable Energy Fund. Before that, George worked at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Wyper Capital Management and J.P. Morgan Investment Bank.

Antonio and George represent the latest additions to H.I.G.’s team of more than 20 dedicated infrastructure investment professionals based in Europe and the U.S. H.I.G. Infrastructure is focused on value-added infrastructure investment opportunities in the attractive and underserved middle market segment. Since its launch in 2021, H.I.G. Infrastructure has made two investments, North American Central, a provider of contracted student transportation in the U.S., and EYSA, a European provider of contracted mobility solutions. The EYSA investment remains subject to regulatory approval.

Commenting on the hires, Andrew Liau and Ed Pallesen, Co-Heads of H.I.G. Infrastructure said, “We are delighted to welcome both Antonio and George to the firm. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will prove invaluable as we continue executing our differentiated infrastructure investing strategy. In addition to broad infrastructure experience, they have a strong history of involvement in energy markets and sustainability themes, enhancing our commitment to energy transition investments and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.”

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative assets investment firm with $48 billion of equity capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/ value-added approach:

1. H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.
2. H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.
3. H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.
4. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. The firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $30 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.

^{* Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.}

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Contact information

Andrew Liau
Co-Head of H.I.G. Infrastructure
Managing Director
aliau@higcapital.com

Ed Pallesen
Co-Head of H.I.G. Infrastructure
Managing Director
epallesen@higcapital.com