Chic’s guitarist, Nile Rodgers, joined Hipgnosis Songs Fund founder, Merck Mercuriadis, at the London Stock Exchange for the ceremony marking the fund’s admission to the London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) premium segment on Friday 15 November 2019.
Fund Administration Director Mariana Enevoldsen and Company Secretary Kelly Moore-Vieira of Estera joined the celebrations to mark this important milestone.
Hipgnosis Songs Fund is administered by Estera.
Hipgnosis was founded by Merck Mercuriadis, the former manager of artists including Sir Elton John, Guns’N’Roses and Morrissey.
Since its launch in July 2018, Hipgnosis Songs Fund has raised £625 million gross equity capital from investors. It is the most striking recent example of the growing appetite among investors for specialist funds in favour of alternative assets which can range from ships and planes to solar and wind farms, major infrastructure projects and technology start-ups.
Mariana Enevoldsen said: “We are extremely proud of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund and its successful admission to the premium segment of the main market, as well as the completion of three equity fund-raises since its launch. We have tremendous funds experience and locally, we continue to dominate the LSE IPOs of new investment funds.”
Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis founder said: “Nile Rodgers and I are honoured to have been invited back to the London Stock Exchange to celebrate Hipgnosis’ continuing success as a listed fund, and its migration to the Premium Segment. I started Hipgnosis to establish proven songs as an asset class and give the investment community access to the predictable and reliable revenues generated by these incredible songs. Songs are the currency on which the music industry trades and I’m delighted they now have an opportunity to provide excellent returns for our investors.
“This is not only great for investors but for the songwriters and rights owners as well. I am very grateful for all the support from our shareholders who have backed us with over £625 million raised in the 16 months since launch. We have acquired some of the most culturally important songs of all time and we are quickly deploying the capital we have just raised on more remarkable songs and catalogues.”
