Barnett Waddingham (BW) has partnered with BoardClic to help the firm conduct board performance reviews.

BW said that aligning with BoardClic’s technology solution would enable pension trustees to gain deeper insights into the effectiveness of their board and benchmark against peers, ensuring a robust evaluation process by identifying strengths and weaknesses and areas for improvement whilst aiding more effective decision-making. Pension trustees will also have access to a platform tailored exclusively to their needs, with various tools including board evaluation, skills matrix and meeting express. Commenting on the announcement, BW partner and senior consultant, Lucy Cresswell, said: "This partnership with BoardClic was a natural fit for us, with clear synergies between our organisations. BW is well known for its excellence in pension scheme governance and BoardClic’s market-leading board evaluation platform will allow us to offer our client greater insight and additional evaluations through a secure and data-driven platform."

Aviva Investors has completed a €40m investment into Connected Infrastructure Capital GmbH (CIC), a German-based developer of renewable energies.

The deal sees Aviva acquire a majority shareholding in CIC, which specialises in developing and managing onshore wind and solar projects across northern and central Europe. The investment is expected to provide CIC with the necessary funding to support existing development activities and expand its project pipeline. It is the second investment made by Aviva into the European renewables sector in quick succession, following the announcement that it had increased its existing stake in Innovo Renewables, an Italian-based company which develops, constructs and manages renewable energy projects across Italy, the UK and Spain. Aviva head of infrastructure equity, Angenika Kunne, said the firm was “doubling down” on its exposure to renewables, as it can deliver good long-term outcomes whilst supporting the energy transition. “We are very pleased to be partnering with CIC, an experienced team which has been able to demonstrate strong historical performance and has secured an exciting portfolio of development assets,” she added.

British Business Investments has announced the creation of a £20m funding facility for Sprk Capital Limited (Sprk).

The facility will provide capital to smaller businesses in the UK engaged in innovation while supporting the UK’s transition to a net zero economy. Sprk is the first lender focused on the innovation lending sector to receive funding from British Business Investments. It follows a deal between the British Business Bank and Innovate UK last year, which set out a goal of creating new pathways for business investment and promoting growth through innovation. British Business Investments managing director, Adam Kelly, said the facility will provide smaller businesses with cashflow solutions at “critical points in their journey. “We look forward to working with Sprk to help innovative smaller businesses across the UK to access the capital they need to scale up and become successful, high-growth companies.”

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