Singapore-based ARA Asset Management has established its own infrastructure arm in its push to become a global integrated real assets fund manager.
Grant Dooley, who led operations in Asia for Hastings Funds Management, will run ARA Infrastructure out of Singapore, following his appointment as CEO of the new business.
At Hastings, Dooley’s focus was on market-entry strategy, institutional investor relationship-building and fundraising activities.
John Lim, the group CEO of ARA, said: “We are seeing strong demand from investors for infrastructure, particularly as the Belt and Road initiative gains momentum.”
He added that governments in the rapidly-developing economies of Asia and Europe are also opening up to private investment.
Lim said ARA’s move into infrastructure is the group’s latest step in evolving from a global integrated real estate fund manager into a global integrated real assets fund management business.
Dooley said: “ARA already has a very well-established, reputable fund management platform with the support of strong partners and global investors.”
ARA has around 1,300 staff in 21 cities spanning eight countries.
It manages more than 90 properties in Asia-Pacific, with approximately SGD40bn (€24.7bn) in assets under management.
