IFM adds energy and infra expert to US debt team

IFM Investors has hired Matthew Wade, a former Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) director with experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, to fill its North American executive director of debt investments position.

Wade will be responsible for growing the debt origination capabilities from IFM's New York office. He will report directly to the Melbourne-based fund manager's global head of debt investments, Rich Randall, who was hired in May. Wade gained an expertise working in the energy and infrastructure finance sectors working at RBC in New York and at the Royal Bank of Scotland in New York and London.

“Our long and successful track record in infrastructure debt for our institutional investors gives us a strong foundation to attract high calibre specialists, such as Matthew Wade, who will continue to build the business and focus on attractive opportunities in North America,” Randall said in a statement. “Matthew will further enhance our ability to serve our existing investment partners and attract new similarly aligned investors in the region.”

IFM's most recent hire strengthens its infrastructure debt expertise and its North American branch. Earlier this month, Joe Tremblay and Dan Kim were appointed as business development directors for that branch. The two will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and managing significant relationships for all asset classes including infrastructure, debt investments, listed equities and private capital.

IFM, which is owned by 29 Australian superannuation funds, currently manages assets of more than A$72 billion ($54.86 billion; €48.98 billion). It has significant infrastructure investments in NSW, including NSW Ports, Interlink Roads, Axiom education and the Eastern Distributor.