Singapore-headquartered ARA Asset Management bolsters its private fund capabilities with the appointment of a chief investment officer for the unit.
David Blight has been named CIO for ARA Asset Management’s private funds division, ARA Private Funds (APF), according to a statement.
APF is led by ARA chief executive Moses Song, in partnership with Blight in his new role.
Blight is a seasoned asset management veteran, most recently as CEO of ARA Australia since founding the business in 2015. Previously, he was the chairman and CEO of the ING Real Estate Investment Management’s global platform between 2005 and 2008.
ESR Acquisition
Earlier this year, ARA was acquired by ESR – itself a merger between Shanghai-based warehouse firm e-Shang and Singapore-based logistics real estate firm Redwood Group – for $5.2 billion.
ESR is now the third-largest listed real estate investment manager worldwide with over $140 billion in total assets under management, according to its statement.
«As [APF] prepares to enter its next phase of growth, our leadership team will be resolutely focused on investment performance, client service and maintaining our team culture,» Song said. «With the scale, capabilities and resources of the enlarged ESR Group and the deep bench strength of talent within our ranks, the platform is superbly positioned to capture the opportunities arising out of the largest secular trends in APAC real estate.»
Correction: This item originally misstated the name of the third-largest listed real estate investment manager globally; it is ESR.
