Industry Funds Management (IFM) has expanded its direct investments group with the appointment of Ashley Barker as investment director.
Barker will focus on identifying and executing investment opportunities for IFM's new direct investments business.
"Ashley's breadth of experience in mergers and acquisitions and principal investment will enhance our investment team," said Phillip Bower, head of direct investments at IFM.
"He will form an integral part of fulfilling our mandate of value creation through active ownership of businesses across the full investment lifecycle."
Barker spent 13 years in the mergers and acquisitions and private equity sectors. He joined IFM from Bupa Australia, where he was head of mergers and acquisitions.
Prior to this, he was investment director at Hastings Funds Management for eight years, where he was responsible for investments across the full private equity transaction lifecycle.
IFM's Direct Investments business seeks untapped opportunities, aiming to invest directly in solidly performing businesses in the $250—500 million middle-market sector.
"We see these assets across a wide range of sectors including ‘infrastructure-like' areas such as waste-management, transport, healthcare and other essential business services," said Bower.
Barker will be located in Sydney and report to Bower.
