Sydney, February 5, 2013 – CBRE Group, Inc. today announced that Martin Priestley has joined CBRE’s expanding Capital Advisors team to launch a debt origination and loan servicing business in Pacific.
Mr Priestley was previously Managing Director of leading Australian investment group Moss Capital. He has close to 30 years’ experience in the finance and funds management sector and presently holds directorship, committee and board member roles with various property development and funds management companies, including BB Retail Capital Funds Management, Timpetra Resources (ASX TPR) and Ord Minnett.
Rob Blain, CEO & Chairman, CBRE Asia Pacific, said Mr Priestley’s recruitment represented the next evolution for the firm’s Capital Advisors business, which launched in Asia Pacific early last year.
“We have already made significant inroads, assisting our clients with executing investment strategies and sourcing capital, in the form of both equity and debt,” Mr Blain said.
“Martin’s recruitment signals the extension of this offering to incorporate all forms of secured and unsecured debt origination and loan servicing in line with the highly successful platforms operated by our real estate finance groups in the U.S. and EMEA.”
In the 2013 calendar year, CBRE’s U.S. and EMEA finance teams were responsible for circa US$26.9 billion in debt originations (including loan sales). As at December 31, 2013 the combined teams were responsible for managing approximately US$134 billion in loans.
Nick Crockett, Executive Director, Capital Advisors Asia Pacific, said; “Recruiting an executive of Martin’s calibre is a testament to the scope that exists for CBRE to develop a significant presence in this market segment in Asia Pacific. Martin will work closely with our existing U.S. and EMEA teams, providing our clients with a truly global debt origination and loan servicing platform and capabilities.”
Mr Crockett added that the appointment was a good fit, with he and Mr Priestley having worked together previously at Ashe Morgan Winthrop, a leading Australian commercial property finance house.
Mr Priestley has extensive experience in funds management, lending technologies, mergers & acquisitions and corporate advisory services, including senior executive roles at BankWest and Ashe Morgan Winthrop, where he served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for six years.
In 2005, Mr Priestley founded financial advisory and strategy services business Bamford Partners, which was responsible for the launch of financial services software provider the LTX Group of Companies. After Bamford merged its activities into Moss Capital in 2012, Mr. Priestley was appointed Managing Director.
Mr Priestley said; “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to provide commercial property borrowers with real alternatives to bank financing. In North America and Europe borrowers have greater options including the matching of loan durations to tenancy lease terms or syndicate trust maturities for up to ten years. CBRE will now be able to offer similar solutions to its clients across the Asia Pacific region.”
In addition to debt origination, the CBRE Capital Advisors business in Pacific provides services in regard to private equity real estate. Mr John Wills, Senior Director, CBRE Capital Advisors has been placed in charge of equity services, incorporating placements, mergers & acquisitions, the private equity secondary market and investment advisory work.
Over the past five years, Mr Wills has been involved in engagements related to real estate assets valued in excess of AU$1.5 billion.
For Australian/international news or global stories, follow us on Twitter.About CBRE Group, Inc.
