Assura plc, a UK real estate investment trust specialising in the development of, investment in and management of, a portfolio of primary care, community, diagnostic and treatment buildings across the UK, has issued £300m 1.625 per cent Guaranteed Sustainability Bonds due 2033 though its finance subsidiary, Assura Financing plc.

This follows previous bond issues by Assura Financing plc, but is the first issue under its new Sustainable Finance Framework.  The proceeds will be used to fund or refinance eligible green and social projects, specifically the acquisition, development or refurbishment of publicly accessible primary care and community healthcare centres with green building certification.

Jayne Cottam, Chief Financial Officer, Assura, commented:

"This is our first Sustainability Bond, following on from the Social Bond we issued in 2020, and has been met with a strong level of support from bond investors.

We want to make a real difference through the spaces we create and manage. Our social impact strategy, SixBySix, aims to maximise our contribution to society and minimise our impact on the environment.  The issuance of our first Sustainability Bond fits naturally with SixBySix with the proceeds being used to fund eligible green and social projects."

Beth Collett, Partner, DCM, Addleshaw Goddard, added: 

"Assura has grown from strength to strength, and the issuance of its first sustainability bonds, which commit the already socially focused business to compliance with ICMA's Green Bond Principles, shows its broader commitment to ESG, something which investors are increasingly focused on."