September 01, 2021

Barings Appoints Justin Hooley as Managing Director in the APAC Private Finance Group

Barings, one of the world's leading investment managers, announced today the appointment of Justin Hooley as Managing Director in the APAC Private Finance Group, effective immediately. In his new role, he is responsible for origination, underwriting and managing private credit investments in the developed markets in APAC. 

Hooley is based in Sydney and reports to Shane Forster, Head of Barings’ Asia-Pacific Private Finance Group. 

“Barings Global Private Finance Group comprises more than 60 investment professionals globally, with a 40-year track record of successfully financing middle-market buyouts, acquisitions, and recapitalizations,” said Adam Wheeler, Co-Head of Barings’ Global Private Finance Group. “We look forward to applying Justin’s deep expertise and experience to support the growth of our global private finance platform in the region as we capitalize on the development of private credit market in Asia for our clients.”

Justin worked for Deutsche Bank Sydney for twelve years, most recently as their head of credit opportunities, leading origination, structuring, analysis and provision of strategic capital to junior to mid-cap companies across a range of sectors. Prior to that he worked in the leveraged and acquisition teams at Merrill Lynch, BOS International and CIBC. Justin has worked in both the Australian and European markets and started his career with Arthur Anderson in 1997. Justin holds a BSc Honours in Management Science from the University of Warwick, England and is also a Chartered Accountant.

Barings has been adding resources in the Asia Pacific region as part of its long-term strategy to grow its Private Finance investment team. The team has product capabilities ranging from traditional senior debt to bespoke junior capital securities, employing a rigorous bottom-up investment process, which consistently incorporates ESG considerations. The firm has been offering its Asia clients access to its global private finance investment strategies and tailored private solutions, while continuing to expand its footprint in Asia with a focus on developed markets including Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“With increasing demand for private assets such as direct lending and real estate among investors, we plan to continue to make strategic hires and expand our business both organically and inorganically to grow in the areas we operate to create further value for our clients in Asia.” said Duncan Robertson, Barings' Head of Asia Pacific and Head of Global Business Development. “The new recruits will bolster the platform, which has invested over US$2.5bn into local private debt markets, as it looks to raise additional capital from Australian and International investors targeting the attractive Australian and developed Asia private debt market.”
 

About Barings

Barings is a $382+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees, and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment.

*Assets under management as of June 30, 2021

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