Alberta’s pension fund manager is opening an office in England — its first outside of Canada.

Alberta Investment Management Corp., or AIMCo, says it’s opening up a London office because of the growing role Europe is playing in its investment portfolio.

AIMCo has invested about $8 billion in the U.K. and Europe in both public and private markets.

It manages some $70 billion on behalf of 28 pension, endowment and government funds in Alberta.

AIMCo says the London presence will enhance its oversight over its current holdings and offer a platform to seek out new opportunities.

The new office will be staffed by existing AIMCo employees.