AMP Capital announces key appointment in real estate debt

Not for release or distribution in the US 

AMP Capital has appointed Rebecca Smith as Head of Real Estate Debt, Australia in a new role to establish its real estate debt capability in the region. Ms Smith will commence in early April reporting to Carmel Hourigan and will also join AMP Capital’s Real Estate Leadership team.

AMP Capital Global Head of Real Estate Carmel Hourigan said this was a key appointment in what is a new capability for the business.

“Building on AMP Capital’s established infrastructure debt capability and our acquisition into US real estate equity and debt manager PCCP in late 2017, we continue to explore domestic real estate debt opportunities for our clients.

“I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Rebecca Smith, who has extensive global investment experience across debt and equity. Rebecca brings a diverse range of skills and experience to our team, and her ability to structure and execute investment strategies, coupled with experience in debt and special situations means she is well placed to establish our real estate debt capability in Australia,” Ms Hourigan concluded.

Ms Smith joins AMP Capital from Australia’s sovereign wealth fund, Future Fund, where she held the role of Director of Property. Ms Smith’s previous roles with Future Fund, PAG, NM Rothschild & Sons, Allco Finance Group and CBRE (where she started her career in valuations) have seen her work in markets across the US, Europe and Australia.

The commercial real estate debt market in Australia has grown substantially in the past five years to over $300 billion, with traditional major bank lenders forecast to see their market share decline over the next decade. It’s also becoming more favourable with investors as a relatively safe means of exposure to real estate, particularly with its focus on income in a low interest rate environment.

Rebecca Smith Biography

Rebecca is a senior executive in the financial investment industry with a core focus on the real estate sector, most recently Director of Property at the Future Fund. Prior to this, Rebecca was an Executive Director in the Absolute Return strategy at PAG, generating investments for the Primary Loan and Special Situation Funds. Other property and banking roles including at NM Rothschild & Sons, Allco Finance Group and at CBRE, where she began her property career in valuations, have contributed to her broad experience in the property market.

With extensive primary and secondary financial investment and project finance experience, Rebecca is known for her ability to structure investments, manage challenging assets, and deliver outcomes. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Business in Property (Valuations) RMIT University Melbourne.