4 August 2025 – Nest, the UK’s largest workplace pension scheme by number of members, has announced the appointment of BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (BTG Pactual TIG), to help its over 13 million savers invest in timberland.
As part of the agreement, Nest has initially committed US$ 750 million (£550 million) to BTG Pactual TIG, one of the world’s largest timberland managers, to implement a strategy that provides exposure to sustainably managed timberland across key geographies in the Americas.
Timberland is already a well-established asset class for institutional investors, offering various benefits:
- When managed correctly, timberland investments promote sustainable forestry practices, ensuring the responsible management of forest resources, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining ecosystems;
- Forests can provide critical ecosystem services such as carbon capture, water filtration, soil preservation, and habitat for wildlife, enhancing the overall environmental value of the investment;
- Timberland provides a renewable resource for a growing economy, from supplying construction materials to biodegradable packaging.
This appointment is the second timberland mandate awarded by Nest after a procurement process initiated in 2023.
Commenting on the appointment, Stephen O’Neill, Head of Infrastructure & Natural Capital at Nest, said:
“During the competitive procurement process, BTG Pactual TIG stood out with their strong track record in managing timberland assets at scale while prioritising environmental stewardship.
“Nest and BTG Pactual TIG share the belief that investing in a sustainable manner can achieve strong risk-adjusted returns. BTG Pactual TIG’s focus on sustainable forestry practices and commitment to maintain productive, respectful relationships with the local communities and workforce helped demonstrate that they are the right partner for Nest.
“With two timberland fund managers now in place, this will help further diversify Nest’s portfolio, supporting our broader goal of delivering strong, risk-adjusted returns to our 13 million members.”
Gerrity Lansing, Head of BTG Pactual TIG, said:
“We are proud to partner with Nest on this significant mandate. Our collaboration reflects a shared commitment to long-term value creation and sustainable land management. Through this bespoke strategy, we will apply our large-scale timberland platform, on-the-ground expertise, and rigorous sustainability standards to seek to deliver financial and environmental outcomes for Nest and its members.”
About Nest
Since being established in 2012 following the introduction of auto enrolment, Nest has grown to become the largest workplace pension scheme in the country with more than 13 million UK members. Around one in three of the UK working population now has a Nest pension pot.
Nest’s members benefit from an award-winning investment strategy and one of the most diversified DC portfolios in the UK. It practices responsible investment that aims to deliver long-term growth while carefully managing risk.
Nest manages more than £50 billion in assets on its members’ behalf. It takes around £500 million a month in new contributions, and that figure is expected to rise. By the end of the decade, Nest is expected to have £100 billion in assets under management.
About BTG Pactual TIG
BTG Pactual TIG is one of the world’s largest timberland managers with US$ 7.3 billion assets and commitments and 2.6 million acres under management throughout the U.S. and Latin America (as of Q1, 2025).
TIG’s team of more than 160 professionals has an on-the-ground presence through 22 offices, bringing local, regional, and global experience to bear on the management of client investments. See our website for more information and important disclosures: www.timberlandinvestmentgroup.com.