This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
INFRASTRUCTURE investment business Plenary Group has boosted its presence in Asia and integrated property team with new hires in Singapore and Sydney.
Oliver Barbagallo has joined the Singapore team as executive director, Asia and Chi-Ling Looi has been promoted to a director on the board of Plenary’s Asian business.
Barbagallo joins from Macquarie Capital where he worked for five years as chief operating officer and head of delivery, Macquarie Projects based in Singapore. He is now responsible for originating infrastructure development opportunities and leading Plenary’s bid teams for projects across Asia and the Middle East.
Chi-Ling Looi retains oversight of Plenary’s Asian operations and project pursuits.
In Sydney, Plenary has significantly strengthened its property team with four key appointments, including executive directors George Rolfe and Tom Roche, director Jon Kavali and senior origination manager Zac Freeburn – to focus on infrastructure-related property opportunities.
They bring more than 80 years of combined experience across integrated property origination and delivery, most recently leading John Holland Group’s property team.
Plenary CEO David Lamming said he was excited for what this means for Plenary’s ability to pursue project opportunities in Asia and in the Australian integrated property space as the company enters its next phase of growth.
“There is an increasing pipeline of infrastructure opportunities coming in Asia, and we see ourselves playing in this market by effectively deploying our exemplary infrastructure development and investment skills from Australia and North America in a way that also capitalises on the strength of our local relationships.
“With a focus on pandemic recovery, and with burgeoning middle classes, parts of Asia are increasingly demanding better infrastructure, which will in turn drive investment.
“Post-pandemic we’re seeing opportunities in the transport sectors, smart street lighting, waste to energy, and a lot of interest in health and aged care,” he said.
“For example, Indonesia and the Philippines are looking to attract private capital to help address their public infrastructure deficit, and Vietnam and Thailand are becoming increasingly open to foreign-investment,” he added.
“In Australia, the additions to the team mean we are now more able to pursue integrated transport development opportunities, as well as the various integrated precinct opportunities where we’ll see a hybrid of infrastructure and related property development.
“These opportunities are a natural fit with our infrastructure activities, and we’ll be looking to pursue them in addition to our existing property-related activities, such as social housing, projects in the university sector, and the work that our Pariter business is doing in partnership with sporting and community clubs and associations.
“While public infrastructure development and investment remains at the core of what we’re looking to do, these additional activities will enhance our ability to effectively respond to the natural relationship that exists between infrastructure and property. It’s an exciting time for us as we look to move into the next phase of our growth and development.” Lamming said.
