Scott Kelly

Real Asset Management (RAM) is proud to announce it has been ranked second among Australian-headquartered firms in the APAC Fund Manager Guide.

This recognition follows RAM’s successful raising of $796 million in private markets over the last five years, highlighting its strength and resilience in a competitive sector.

PERE’s APAC Fund Manager Guide ranks and profiles the top 50 real estate fund managers in the Asia-Pacific region and acts as a trusted benchmark for analysing performance and investment excellence. RAM also secured the 38th spot overall.

Reflecting on this achievement, Scott Kelly, Group CEO of RAM, commented on the firm’s journey and continued success: “We are honoured to be recognised as one of the Australia’s leading investment firms. Since 2010, RAM has been investing in real asset projects across the Asia-Pacific region, delivering value for our clients. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication and the trust our investors place in us,”

RAM Executive Director and Head of Real Estate Matthew Strotton remarked on the Australian economic and demographic trends emphasised in the Guide, which he says supports RAM’s strategic focus areas, particularly healthcare property.

“As the Guide has highlighted, Australia’s favourable demographics — especially its aging population — presents unique opportunities in the healthcare sector. Over the next 12-18 months, healthcare will remain an attractive investment area due to broader themes, including the institutionalisation of the asset class.”

“RAM’s strategic focus and proven track record in healthcare properties enable us to continue capturing value in an evolving real estate landscape, driving sustainable returns for our investors,” Mr Strotton concluded.

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Scott Kelly

RAM Australia Healthcare Opportunity Fund (HOF) has achieved a “Recommended” rating from Core Property Research, in recognition of its potential to deliver above-average risk-adjusted returns.

HOF is an open-ended unlisted property fund targeting healthcare development opportunities. Through asset repositioning and development, the fund aims to build a portfolio of high-quality healthcare assets with strong tenant covenants and long leases in major urban and suburban locations across Australia. The fund is currently open to new and existing investors through a $50 million capital raise, targeting a 3-year IRR of 16–18% per annum.

“The RAM Australia Healthcare Opportunity Strategy offers investors rare access to the scarce and defensive healthcare real estate asset class. We are delighted that Core Property Research has recognised HOF’s strengths, including its high-calibre management, governance, asset quality, and RAM’s ability to deliver above-average risk-adjusted returns,” said Mr. Scott Kelly, RAM Group CEO.

The RAM Real Estate team has over 160 years of combined experience and a proven track record in the healthcare real estate sector which has been built up over the last decade in complimentary strategies. Kelly noted RAM envisions the potential to deploy in excess of $1 billion in this sector in the near term, leveraging its expertise and established relationships with operating partners to secure superior outcomes for investors.

Core Property’s report highlighted Australia’s expanding and aging population, driving increased demand for healthcare services. The rise in non-communicable and chronic diseases is also shifting the focus towards preventative treatment and disease management, boosting demand for both primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

Peter Folkes, RAM’s Director and Head of Distribution, emphasised that healthcare remains a sought-after sector by institutions both domestically and globally. He mentioned the joint venture with a large Sovereign Wealth Fund, which was also highlighted in the Core Property report, as evidence of strong interest and a testament to RAM’s capability.

“The healthcare property sector has proven to be defensive through economic turbulence over the last four years, underpinned by strong demand fundamentals, delivering portfolio diversification and returns uncorrelated to the general economic cycle. Core Property Research’s favorable rating positions HOF as a top choice for investors and advisers seeking strong risk-adjusted returns,” Folkes concluded.

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Scott Kelly

RAM is pleased to announce that its RAM Private Credit Income Fund (the “Fund”) has achieved a “Superior” rating from SQM Research, making it suitable for inclusion on most Approved Product Lists (APLs).

SQM Research highlighted the Fund as a High Investment Grade product with appreciable potential to outperform over the medium-to-long term, noting its high-calibre management and robust risk management processes.

In managing the Fund, RAM employs a rigorous borrower analysis process and maintains a comprehensive end-to-end ownership of risk approach. This ensures the quality of the underlying assets, as demonstrated by a consistent and proven track record.

Mr Scott Kelly, RAM Group CEO, said, ‘We’re pleased to see that SQM Research recognised the RAM Private Credit Income Fund’s unique strengths. This Fund satisfies the increasing demand from investors for reliable income solutions while offering enhanced liquidity. SQM’s “Superior” rating will mean that the Fund will be top of mind for these investors and their advisers,’

‘RAM has invested over $2 billion in Australian credit markets, with an exemplary track record of over 6 years in managing credit portfolios and 0% losses within our credit strategies. We are well-positioned to continue offering investors stable and reliable returns, regardless of market conditions.’ Kelly added.

The RAM Private Credit Income Fund, a registered PDS wholesale fund, aims to provide investors with stable income through exposure to Australian secured credit, targeting an average LVR of 65%. The Fund offers a target return of the RBA Cash Rate + 4% per annum, net of fees, with income distributed monthly. It is a monthly dealing fund, providing liquidity through access to a $2 billion funding pool. Finally, it offers a chance to invest alongside some of the world’s largest institutional investors who invest in the same pool of assets.

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Matthew Strotton

Australian asset manager Real Asset Management (RAM) has announced the launch of the RAM Australia Healthcare Opportunity Fund (HOF), which will joint venture with a large South-East Asian Sovereign Wealth Fund.

The strategy will invest in the healthcare sector and is specifically targeting development opportunities in core Australian markets. RAM will invest a substantial amount alongside its new partner through its own balance sheet and its newly launched HOF.

“We are very pleased to broaden our reach into the healthcare sector with a major global capital partner,” said Matthew Strotton, RAM Executive Director and Head of Real Estate.

With a proven track record in the healthcare real estate sector through the ASX-listed RAM Essential Services Property Fund (ASX: REP), Strotton stated that RAM will leverage its experience, expertise, and established relationships with operating partners to provide actively managed opportunities to investors through the repositioning and development of high-quality healthcare assets.

“RAM’s objective has been to position for a wider range of risk assets and to create synergy in operations, which will complement our flagship listed vehicle REP. We have expanded our development and deal origination capabilities and see this as a natural progression for RAM and our investors.”

Over the last 20 years, health expenditure has increased from $91 billion to $220 billion, with an average growth rate of 4.0% per year, and the sector remains sought after by institutions. With healthcare continuing to display strong long-term fundamentals, RAM envisions the potential to deploy in excess of $1 billion in this sector in the near term.

“Much of our deal origination is derived from the strong relationships and bottom-up approach that we adopt with our operating partners. Understanding and respecting their space needs and those of the communities they operate in are central to our day-to-day management.” Strotton said.

RAM has been actively investing in the sector since 2018 and currently manages a portfolio of 28 healthcare real estate assets across Australia valued at almost half a billion, which forms part of RAM’s total $1.6 billion real estate portfolio. Twenty-three of these healthcare assets are held in REP.

The RAM Australia Healthcare Opportunity Fund aims to be at the forefront of the evolving healthcare landscape, supporting the increasing demand for healthcare facilities and strengthening the resilience and growth potential of the Australian healthcare real estate market.

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Scott Kelly

Real Asset Management (RAM) Australia Has announced that its Credit Fund has received a ‘Superior’ four-star rating by SQM Research, making it suitable for inclusion on most Approved Product Lists (APLs).

SQM Research highlighted that the RAM Australia Credit Fund (“RACF”) has materially outperformed SQM Research’s selected reference index in all periods, and has materially lower volatility compared to its peers in all periods.

RAM Australia CEO, Scott Kelly, said SQM Research’s rating was pleasing given the RACF’s proven track record in providing investors with stable income through periods of economic uncertainty. 

“We are pleased to see that SQM Research recognised RACF’s potential to outperform over the medium to long term as well as its strong historical performance. It is a testament to the high level of expertise of our investment personnel and our robust systems and management processes for managing loans throughout their lifecycle.” 

Mr Kelly said RACF aims to provide wholesale investors with stable income through investment predominantly in Australian property credit secured by first-registered mortgages and has a lower risk profile than comprable funds. 

“RACF’s portfolio is dominated by prime and near-prime borrowers with low LVR, limited concentration risks, low levels of arrears, and ongoing risk management processes to ensure the portfolio remains invested true to label at all times. Every loan originated is intended to meet RACF’s high standards and maintain appropriate diversification required to meet the warehouse requirements and needs of RMBS investors.”

RACF offers eight investment classes with varying liquidity profiles and target returns. It also has two currency classes being AUD and USD.

“A key factor in generating superior risk-adjusted returns for investors is due to the constant flow of low LVR and highly regulated NCCP mortgages. Our goal is to provide investors with stable and reliable returns no matter the market cycle, and we know that we’re in a strong place to continue to do exactly that.” Said Mr Kelly.

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Scott Kelly

Australian-owned wealth and asset manager Real Asset Management (RAM) is pleased to announce that its RAM Australian Diversified Fixed Income Fund and RAM Diversified Fixed Income & Credit SMA have been certified by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA).

Being certified by RIAA signifies that the two RAM strategies have a commitment to ESG providing investors’ confidence we deliver on our responsible investment promise. It also confirms that the two strategies adhere to the strict operational and disclosure practices required under the Responsible Investment Certification Program for the category of product.

RAM Australia CEO Scott Kelly said the RIAA product certification achievement was a testament to RAM’s commitment to act according to its core values.

“Good governance, social responsibility and sustainability practices are key pillars of our company’s culture. Underpinning this is our belief that a proactive and transparent approach to ESG is linked to value creation and that we should align our investment activities with the broader interests of our stakeholders. We also believe we have a moral responsibility to make a positive contribution to the communities in which we operate,” Mr Kelly said.

RIAA CEO Simon O’Connor congratulated RAM on the certification. “RIAA’s Responsible Investment Certification Program differentiates quality, true to label responsible investment products which meet the Responsible Investment Standard.  We congratulate RAM for meeting the high benchmark set for Certification for its RAM Australian Diversified Fixed Income Fund and RAM Diversified Fixed Income & Credit SMA.”

Michael Frearson, RAM Head of Fixed Income added: “At RAM we recognise the importance of ESG considerations when managing investment portfolios and build portfolios to achieve specific objectives with minimal risks. Companies which operate in armaments, gaming, pornography, coal mining and tobacco industry groups are excluded from our investment universe. RAM’s issuer-level research process reviews and scores issuers on a range of metrics with a number being specifically related to ESG factors, and our transparent portfolio structure ensures ongoing visibility for our investors. Being a floating rate income strategy, our portfolios are well placed to continue to deliver on their investment objective with a rising income stream and relative capital stability, amid volatile investment conditions for Australian fixed income investors” he said.

RAM has won the Australian Fixed Interest category in the IMAP Managed Accounts Awards for four consecutive years (2018–2021). IMAP’s judging panel is comprised of independent consultants and industry executives who have commended RAM on the quality of its investment offering and risk adjusted approach to portfolio construction.

Other recent major RAM ESG milestones include:

• RAM was named an Inclusive Employer 2021-2022 by Diversity Council Australia (DCA). The accreditation comes off the back of DCA’s nationally representative survey of workplace inclusion – Inclusion@Work Index.
• In July 2021, RAM was recognised for its commitment to closing the gender pay gap with RAM Australia CEO Scott Kelly being appointed as a Pay Equity Ambassador by Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WEGA) after RAM voluntarily signed up for its program which encourages equal pay across workplaces in a range of sectors.

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Mr Strotton has more than 25 years’ real estate experience in global markets across capital transactions, product development, investment and funds management.

He joins RAM after more than 19 years at QIC Global Real Estate where he was Global Director and Head of Funds Management, with responsibility for the group’s Australian and United States portfolios.

Matthew was instrumental in increasing QIC’s real estate AUM by over $10 billion. He established QIC’s real estate brand and capabilities in the United States and assembled large tranches of the group’s global portfolio by constructing long term solutions for investment partners. Prior to joining QIC, he worked for Lendlease in a range of development roles in Australia.

Strotton joins RAM during a transformational period that’s seen significant growth across all areas of the business. During 2021, RAM’s global headcount increased by almost 60% to more than 100 employees in five offices across the Asia-Pacific Region.

As at 31 December 2021, RAM’s total AUM had increased more than 65% year on year to more than $2.74 billion, with Real Estate AUM surpassing $1 billion.

RAM CEO Australia Scott Kelly said hiring Strotton represented a further strengthening of a talented Real Estate team and will provide many opportunities to apply his expertise and experience.

“Matthew will play an integral role in crystallising our existing strategic plans and platforms in the unlisted and listed spaces as well as forging new partnerships and opportunities,” he added.

In the third quarter of 2021 RAM listed its first Real Estate Investment Trust on the ASX, the RAM Essential Services Property Fund (ASX:REP). The Fund consists of a geographically diversified and defensive portfolio of pure medical and essential retail based properties, underpinned by a high-quality essential services tenant profile including hospital operators and leading national supermarkets, and offers growth opportunities through an activated and significant value-add pipeline.

RAM has also acquired 4 properties for its RAM Diversified Property Fund, a new defensive unlisted property fund with a focus on office, retail, industrial and alternative sectors.

“I am excited to join a highly successful and energised team to deliver on existing successes and to bring new avenues of capital solutions and growth to the RAM group.” said Strotton.

Other RAM hires since January 2022 include:

• Lang Messer has joined RAM in Brisbane as Head of Investor Relations to help the firm connect with its growing institutional client base, with a particular focus on its listed offering. Lang has over 20 years of experience in finance and capital markets gained in Australia and the United Kingdom. Prior to joining RAM, he was Director at Equitory, a boutique Investor Relations Consultancy providing outsourced IR capability to high growth companies listed on London’s AIM and Main markets.
• Natasha Van Kempen has joined RAM in Brisbane as a Development Analyst. With a number of projects underway and many more scheduled to commence in 2022, Natasha is responsible for assisting with RAM’s growing value-add pipeline throughout the portfolio. Prior to joining RAM, Natasha worked within multiple sectors of the property industry having previously worked for Stockland, Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield.
• Kala Muthusamy has joined RAM in Sydney as a Financial Controller. After starting her career at Ernst and Young and becoming a tax advisor at Nexia Australia, Kala was a Finance Manager at the OpenMarkets Australia and a Financial Controller at Acrux prior to joining RAM.
• Josephine Chan has joined RAM in Melbourne as a Business Development Manager. She previously worked for La Trobe as a Business Development Manager, and more recently as a Senior Business Development and Client Relationship Manager for BC Invest.

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Thompson has worked as MA Financial Group’s Head of Technology for the past two years and was General Manager of Information Technology for MA Hotel Management for five years.

At RAM Thompson’s role is to lead’s RAM’s digital transformation journey. He will spearhead work to digitise the onboarding process for the group’s wholesale and high net worth clients and create direct access to RAM funds through new digital pathways.

RAM CEO Australia Scott Kelly said Thompson was joining the group at a time of strong growth and would be able to immediately add value as RAM continued to increase scale across the APAC and other regions.

“Craig is a highly adaptive, results-driven, and innovative technology leader with a broad range of experience across the technology fields. He holds a proven track record in developing and implementing IT strategies, unlocking new business capabilities, and solving business problems through the deployment of technology,” Kelly added. 

“RAM has enjoyed successful growth over the years and being able to join the team at their expansive growth period is an exciting opportunity for anybody. RAM has the advantage of being nimble and marrying that with innovative digital capabilities, the possibilities are endless.” Thompson said.

RAM specialises in Real Estate, Credit and Private Equity markets for institutions and wealthy families globally. It opened its Australian office in 2013 and now has 5 offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Shanghai and Hong Kong. RAM has a team of more than 100 finance professionals managing in excess of A$2.0bn in assets.

Later this week RAM will list the RAM Essential Services Property Fund on the ASX. The Fund is expected to have a market capitalisation of $521.1 million and will initially own 33 Australian properties worth $706.3 million, split almost 50/50 between geographically diversified essential retail and medical real estate assets.

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(L to R): Scott Kelly, Agnes Liu and Suzanne Hutchinson

Australian-owned wealth and asset manager Real Asset Management (RAM) has been recognised for its commitment
to closing the gender pay gap in the financial services industry.

RAM CEO Australia Scott Kelly has been appointed as a Pay Equity Ambassador by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), after RAM voluntarily signed up for its program which encourages equal pay across workplaces in a range of sectors.

RAM Director, Human Resources Suzanne Hutchinson said it was important for the firm to take a leadership role in ensuring pay equity within the financial services industry and the company was proud to be recognised by WGEA.

“We are acutely aware that when it comes to performance, talent development and pay decisions, gender bias can create an uneven playing field between men and women. As part of our pledge to level the playing field, we analyse and monitor the salaries of our team on the basis of gender and take action to minimise any discrepancies between men and women,” Hutchinson said.

Kelly said it was critical for RAM to embody its corporate values through proactive measures.

“At RAM we value equality and fairness above all else, particularly as it relates to the working conditions of our strong and growing team of more than 80 people across the region, the majority of whom are female,” Kelly said.

“By voluntarily taking these steps we are able to attract and retain high-quality people within our organisation, but more importantly, we can lead the way when it comes to positively changing the way the financial services industry approaches pay equity, which has been an ongoing issue for some time.”

RAM Director and Client Advisor Agnes Liu, who has joined the company in 2013 as a Business Development Manager, said “by supporting gender pay equity, we not only create gender equality, but we also empower women and foster a more diversified and inclusive workplace.”

“We are proud of the work we have done over the years and are continuously doing to achieve gender equality. To demonstrate our proactive stance, we look forward to continuing a strong presence and leadership role on this important issue as the firm continues to grow,” Liu said.

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Scott Kelly

Australian-owned Real Asset Management Group (RAM) has launched a bespoke multi-asset portfolio capability for high-net-worth clients who want truly globally diversified portfolios and Asian clients who have completed Significant Investment Visa requirements.

The independent wealth and asset management firm with offices across Australia, Europe and in Hong Kong provides investment solutions to high-net-worth individuals, family offices and institutions, and is in a rapid growth phase.

It has launched new fixed income, private equity and real estate investment strategies for clients, increased assets under management and purchased nine metropolitan and regional Australian shopping centres over the past 14 months for its flagship Australian Retail Property Fund.

RAM Australian CEO Scott Kelly said the development of multi-asset portfolio capability was a natural progression for the firm as its Australian and international client base evolved.

During the Significant Investment Visa (SIV) process to obtain Australian residence, foreign applicants were required to invest at least $5 million in Australia, largely in fixed income and property funds, with the balance in emerging market equities and venture capital for a period of four years.

Once this was completed investors were free from SIV rules, but could be subject to Australian taxation and many RAM SIV clients were opting to build a more sophisticated Australia-based portfolio. In addition, RAM had seen strong growth in its number of wealthy Australian clients, many of whom wanted globally diversified investments managed from here, Mr Kelly said.

“The multi-asset portfolio solution we offer is bespoke and takes into account any special requirements of our high-net-worth clients. Our approach is to over-lay a longer-term strategic asset allocation, supported by specialist independent research, with shorter-term tactical tilts towards assets we like.

“We embrace the notion that wealthy families have a natural bias towards real assets such as real estate and incorporate that into our investment process and portfolios. This allows our clients to benefit from a truly diversified and risk-controlled portfolio, generated using the entire spectrum of asset management products, but still have exposure to preferred real assets like commercial real estate,” Mr Kelly said.

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