Identification and assessment of potential investment opportunities focuses on the following key investment criteria:

• near monopoly market position with high barriers to entry;
• operation within a regulated industry;
• strong cash generation and attractive targeted cash returns;
• predictable ongoing revenues underpinned by long-term contracts with creditworthy counterparties;
• opportunity to capitalise on future organic growth and/or existence of expansion opportunities;
• first class management teams with strong alignment to asset performance; and 
• ownership provisions which provide an opportunity to influence strategic direction and monitor and manage risks.

CIF may acquire whole assets or participate in investment consortia comprising leading industry players (strategic, financial and operational) to acquire controlling or strategic stakes.

To date, this disciplined approach to infrastructure investment has resulted in the acquisition of interests in six assets that meet CIF's investment criteria. The majority of these assets have been sourced from within the UK utilities sector. Following the establishment of CIF's strong infrastructure investment base, it is anticipated that future opportunities for CIF will predominantly arise within the utilities sectors of OECD countries.