AMP Capital poaches Macquarie exec for asset management role

AMP Capital is strengthening its infrastructure leadership team in the Americas following two key departures in September, hiring Ric Gordon for the new role of head of asset management for infrastructure in the region.

Gordon joins AMP Capital from Macquarie Group, where he held a number of roles over 13 years. He initially joined as part of the Australian group’s business improvement and strategy team in 2006, advising businesses and portfolio companies owned by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. Most recently and since 2013, he was senior vice-president, principal investments at Macquarie Capital, leading its asset management business in the Americas, Europe and Asia, according to an AMP Capital statement.

Gordon’s appointment, which became effective on 12 November, comes two months after Steve Rooks, lead of portfolio management in North America, left AMP Capital, along with Dylan Foo, who resigned his role as regional head of infrastructure equity. Foo was succeeded by Simon Ellis, who relocated to New York from London.

Ellis said in the statement that Gordon “strengthens our Americas team”, pointing to AMP Capital’s recent acquisition of Expedient, a cloud and data centre service provider, one of the businesses Gordon will be managing. Expedient has announced plans to expand its business footprint from the eastern and central US into the western part of the country.

“Strong asset management is integral to the success of our investment strategy,” Ellis said in the statement. “As we continue to increase our presence in the US, securing someone of Ric’s calibre to lead our asset management in this key region is hugely positive for our business.” According to the statement, AMP Capital target sub-sectors in the US, include digital infrastructure, energy, and transport and logistics.

Gordon reports to Ellis, with whom he will be based in New York, and to David Rees, global co-head of asset management in London. Also in September, that office lost Louisa Yeoman and Kate Campbell – former co-heads for fund distribution in Europe – who left to launch their own placement agent business.

Yeoman was recently named in Infrastructure Investor’s inaugural Rainmaker 20 ranking. AMP Capital’s European LP base numbered fewer than 10 when she arrived, but had increased to more than 100 today.

The turnover also comes as AMP Capital is in the market with AMP Capital Global Infrastructure Fund II, which has reportedly raised more than $2 billion and is expected to close on its $3 billion target by the end of the year.

AMP Capital had not replied to a request for comment at the time of publication.