IRIDEOS: TIER IV CERTIFICATION FOR THE DATA CENTER IN ROME

Milan, 17th September 2018. IRIDEOS, the new Italian ICT hub for companies and the Public Administration, obtained from the Uptime Institute Tier IV Design certification for its data center in Rome.

The Uptime Institute, the US agency that classifies the data centers according to four levels, has recognized to the Roman data center of IRIDEOS the highest level of guarantee for business continuity, with an availability of over 99.99%.
The Roman data center of IRIDEOS has a completely redundant architecture in terms of electrical systems, cooling and fiber optic network that allows maintaining the integrity of service without ever interrupting the availability of servers and network devices hosted on the date center.
"Tier IV criteria are based on the ability to detect and isolate a fault within critical systems in a facility without impacting on energy delivery and cooling to critical areas."- explains Sandro Falleni, Director of Technologies and Systems of IRIDEOS -" The IRIDEOS customers who entrust us with their systems have the highest guarantee of security and operational continuity, thanks also to redundant fiber connections and customized solutions for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity. "
IRIDEOS thus enters the restricted number of companies in Italy to have obtained Tier IV certification and is the only one to have a Tier IV certified data center inside Rome's Grande Raccordo Anulare.
The IRIDEOS technological platform integrates 12 data centers, in Milan, Rome, Trento and Verona, all connected with proprietary fiber, the largest Italian private Internet exchange (Avalon) and a fiber-optic network of over 15,000 km along major highways. Two advanced cloud platforms (based on OpenStack and VMware) and a team dedicated to the management of customers' information systems complete IRIDEOS distinctive features.
Infrastructures and expertise allows IRIDEOS to better support companies in their digital transformation process, with advanced and customized connectivity, data center, cloud and outsourcing solutions.

F2i’s Third Fund results: Renato Ravanelli expressed great satisfaction

Good news for F2i - Fondi Italiani per le Infrastrutture , which reaches a better goal than expected: the gathering of the fundraising in the Third Fund will be raised to 3.6 billion euros

F2i - Italian funds for infrastructures: new results for its Third Fund. Renato Ravanelli's statements

F2i - Fondi Italiani per le Infrastrutture reached an unexpected, yet fulfilling goal with its Third Fund launched in 2017. As Chief Executive Officer Renato Ravanelli stated, the target of the Third Fund has been raised from 3.3 to 3.6 billion. As per CEO's statement, this fundraising could reach a higher goal, that Renato Ravanelli identified in 4 billion euros. F2i's choice appears to be, instead, to "keep a balance between our portfolio and fresh resources." What especially pleases CEO Renato Ravanelli is the response the company received from both domestic and international investors. An important sign of this continued support has been shown in December, when foreign LPs, that already supported F2i's First Fund, demonstrated further trust with another deposit of a total amount of 1.74 billion euros. Another 1.4 billion euros were gathered by F2i from international and domestic sovereign and pension funds, as well as asset management firms and insurance companies. Among the investments F2i is looking at, thanks to this fundraisings, appears the offer that the Renato Ravanelli guided company submitted for Persidera, that is an Italian digital TV services provider, which operates in joint with RaiWay. This purchase, indeed, would see both F2i and RaiWay share the frequency rights and network infrastructure of Persidera, as per the terms of the bid. This would mean that both companies "will contextually subscribe a long-term agreement for the supply of broadcasting services". No comments have been recorded from Renato Ravanelli about price details. The CEO stated "the bid [of F2i and Raiway] includes earn-out figures and further bonuses that may match vendors expectations. This transaction has a value lower than our usual standards, but it would allow F2i to set a footprint in a sector that is going towards a wave of consolidation in Italy and in Europe", confirming the strategic value of this asset. One last acquisition F2i's CEO is willing to discuss is the one about the stake owned by Milan municipality airports' management company SEA, whose worth is reported to be 1 billion euros.

About F2i, the fund which invests in Italian infrastructures

Major Italian closed-end fund, and one of the biggest in Europe, F2i - Fondi italiani per le infrastrutture is a Saving Management Society (SGR) born in 2007 thanks to its partnership with institutions, international banks, credit institutes, banking foundations, as well as public welfare funds. F2i has its main aim in the improvement of Italian infrastructural asset, renewing it in order to make it competitive from an European and international point of view. This company invests in different sectors, such as transports, telecommunications and media, gas, energy and water distribution, social infrastructures, public services and waste management. Those investments are possible thanks to the fundraising gathered in three funds: The First Fund, started in 2007, the Second Fund, started in 2012, and the Third Fund started in 2017. Since 2014, Renato Ravanelli guides F2i as CEO.

AMC: F2i SGR launches the Third Fund

Corriere della Sera wrote that F2i SGR is promoting the launch of a third infrastructure fund: the deal is expected to be finalized by mid-December. Led by CEO Renato Ravanelli, the company manages two Funds: they have collected subscriptions for an overall total of more than 3.1 billion euro.

F2i SGR launches its third fund, including the first fund's remaining portfolio

Led by CEO Renato Ravanelli, F2i SGR is launching fundraising of its third infrastructure fund, with a target of 3 billion euro to invest in airports, renewable energy, distribution of natural gas and integrated hydric cycle. The company aims to attract foreign investors, looking for 1.5 billion euro of new capital collected among international players: among them one of the biggest international pension funds and one of the biggest sovereign funds (maybe Singapore's GIC). In addition, many investors such as banking foundations, Italian pension funds and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti are expected to subscribe the new fund. The first F2i fund's remaining portfolio, valued about 1.5 billion euro, will also be included in the third fund. According to the programs, the deal will be finalized by mid-December. In the last years F2i SGR has invested in consolidated companies, increasing their profit and level of efficiency. The Italian most important foundations, banks, financial institutions are sponsor of F2i First and Second Fund. The company's capital is instead controlled by Cdp, Unicredit and Intesa Sanpaolo, each with a 14% stake: Ardian owns a 8.4% stake and banking foundations and Italian pension funds own the rest. F2i's shareholders are also investors in F2i's funds.

F2i SGR: the Company Profile

F2i SGR, acronym of Fondi italiani per le infrastrutture - Società di Gestione del Risparmio, is an asset management company founded in 2007 to promote and manage the first closed equity investment mutual fund, authorised by the Bank of Italy in August 2007. It is the largest one in Italy with its available 1,852 million euro, but it is also the largest infrastructure fund focusing on a single country. Through this fund, F2i aims to bring together and forge alliances with public and private institutions specialized in the national-infrastructure sector. The first fund owns stakes in some Italian airports (Napoli, Torino, Alghero and Bologna), in airport handling company Sea Milano and in the renewable sector: it is the major solar operator jointly with Enel, the major gas distributor and a major operator in the integrated hydric cycle. In 2012 F2i SGR instituted a Second Fund which closed its fundraising in July 2015 with 1,242.5 million euro raised, above the initial target of 1,200 million euro. The company participates in privatization processes: its mission is to consolidate relations with local institutions and private businesses and to bring together Italian and international investors. To date, the two Funds have collected subscriptions for an overall total of more than 3.1 billion euro, of which approximately 90% is already invested in infrastructure sub-compartments in Italy (airports, highways, distribution of natural gas, waterworks, waste-to energy, logical networks, renewable energy, integrated hydric cycle, telecommunications and healthcare). In October 2014, Renato Ravanelli was appointed Chief Executive Officer to rule F2i's team and supervise all investments.

F2i’s new fund, Third Fund aims at 3 billion euros

Italy's hugest closed-end fund, F2i, is set to launch in 2017 Fund III, which has a gathering aim of 3 billion euros and a global approach. Great interest coming from international funds.

F2i Italian fund raises Fund III: international interest

Italian fund F2i is expected to launch in 2017 its new Fund III, which aims to raise funds to invest in infrastructures globally. The goal is set to 3 billion euros, which would be the hugest fundraising ever launched by an Italian investment company. As one of the sources stated, one of F2i's interlocutors, indeed, would be Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC. This kind of operation seems to be interesting to a global level, in particular overseas: many international funds have allocated a huge budget to be invested in infrastructures, such as, for example, Brookfield Asset Management and Global Infrastructure Partners. Both of these heavyweight U.S. funds gathered a great amount, in economic terms, in order to play investments in the infrastructure field. They are, however, not the only ones, as U.S. private equity firm Blackstone, as well as the greatest sovereign fund in Saudi Arabia, have plans to allocate the amount of 40 billion dollars for infrastructure projects. What F2i plans to do is to buy out investors from Fund I using the amount of 1.5 billion euros, so that strategic assets will be able to be transferred to Fund III. Fund I was launched in 2007 and it raised an amount of 1.8 billion and it is now lowered with the option for its investors to be paid off, so that they can newly invest in the brand new Fund III. This operation is meant to maintain the investments active towards the major companies belonging to the firm guided by Renato Ravanelli, such as 2i Aeroporti, F2i's holding operating in the airport sector. One further decision F2i made is not to alter Fund II, as it is the major stakeholder in "E2i Energie Speciali", the company operating in renewable energy field. The amount that this fund gathered in 2015 is of 1.2 billion euros, but it still has to be completely deployed. Foreign interest for Italian infrastructure sector comes not only from overseas, but also from inside Europe: German insurance company Allianz was one of the investors taking a stake in the motorway branch of Atlantia in 2017. Same thing for Singapore's sovereign fund GIC: interested in F2i's Fund III, this fund has already closed some important property deals on the Italian territory, including the complete acquisition of the Centre-Italy mall called "RomaEst Shopping Centre". It also acquired a huge number of logistic centres, as planned in its 2.4 billion euros purchase strategy regarding the European logistics property called "P3 Logistic Parks".

Profiling F2i Italian fund

Created in 2007, F2i - Italian funds for infrastructure, is the major Italian closed-end fund and one of the biggest among Europe. The Savings Managing Society (SGR) can count on important partnerships, such as credit institutes, institutions, banking foundations, public welfare funds, as well as international banks. The firm's mission is to improve Italian infrastructural asset, so that it could compete with European and international standards. The branches F2i looks at are different: transportation infrastructures, airports, telecommunications and logical networks, water and gas distibution, social infrastructures and waste management. Renato Ravanelli is the current CEO, appointed in 2014. In 2007 F2i launched Fund I, in 2012 Fund II. A Third Fund is expected to be launched in 2017.

F2i marks a significant rise in 2016: +37% compared to last year

While the Third Fund is ready to start fundraising, F2i closed 2016 with astonishing results: 425 million Euros total profit, +37% of rise compared to last year.

Aggregate profit of F2i in 2016: the results achieved by the Fund managed by Renato Ravanelli

2016 can be considered an astonishing year for F2i: the fund managed by Renato Ravanelli recorded 425 million Euros total profit, marking a significant rise compared to last year (+37%). This profit was calculated mixing the results achieved from both the funds: the First closed its investment this month, whereas the Second invested more than 50% of its asset. The Radiocor agency reported recently these results which are the basis to start fundraising for the Third Fund by the end of this year. While insiders expect it to be conspicuous, there are no information on the total target capital of the fund but there would be a more significant share from international investors. Thanks to the profit achieved in 2016, F2i distributed something like 416 million Euros to over 60 Italian and international investors. Among the major investors of the Fund managed by Renato Ravanelli we have to remind Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Intesa Sanpaolo, Unicredit, major Italian bank foundations and welfare funds, as well as international giants such as Ardian, the China Investment Corporation and the Corean National Pension Fund. F2i portfolio includes investments in 14 companies which work in different areas connected to infrastructures: 2i Rete Gas, 2i Aeroporti, Mediterranea delle Acque, Kos' and many others. 2i Rete Gas, in particular, recently closed the placement of a 435 million Euro senior bond expiring on August 28th 2016. The bond ensures a yearly coupon at a 1.75% fixed rate.

Federico Cervellini among mediators in MBM Group - AFC agreement

On April 24th a new partnership has been announced between MBM Group, Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum Investment company, and Arab Fashion Council: Federico Cervellini's support in this operation was fundamental.

Arab Fashion Council (AFC) and MBM Group sign an agreement intermediated by Federico Cervellini

On April 24th MBM Investment (Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum Investment) signed a new partnership with world's greatest fashion no-profit organization: Arab Fashion Council (AFC). This agreement aims to spread Arab fashion field on an international scale. In order to promote this project, the biennial edition of Arab Fashion Week took place between May 16th and 20th. As in the previous years, this event was sponsored by Arab Fashion Council, with the support of recent partnership with MBM Group - represented by Director of Corporate Affairs Federico Cervellini, together with further members belonging to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum's private office: on May 16th they had a speech in front of prominent hosts as well as of Arab Fashion Council's members.