Atlas Advisors Australia has expanded its investment capability with the addition of two former executive directors from Macquarie Group.
Atlas Advisors Australia's Head of Venture Capital Geoff Waring has also joined the investment committee of university-backed investment fund Uniseed further cementing the organisations' long-standing and successful investment partnership.
Executive Chairman of Atlas Advisors Australia, Guy Hedley, said Arthur Porter joined Atlas's senior ranks as Executive Director Real Estate and Craig Swanger as Head of Advisory Board Financial Products.
Mr Porter spent 14 years at Macquarie Group where he formed and led the United States Real Estate Structured Finance Group which became a major mezzanine and senior debt funder with four offices on the west coast.
He has further specialized in the financial structuring of real estate projects over the past 12 years as the head of FACS Real Estate Finance and Consulting Services.
"Regarded as a leader in this challenging field, Arthur brings 35 years of experience in real estate financing and structuring markets to Atlas's team," Mr Hedley said.
Mr Swanger similarly brings a wealth of experience. At Macquarie Group, Mr Swanger was Global Chief Investment Officer – Banking and Financial Services, responsible for US$10 billion in property, infrastructure and alternative investment funds spanning 14 countries with a team of 120 worldwide from 2009 until 2013.
After leaving Macquarie in 2013, Mr Swanger has continued to advise and invest in private equity and property projects in Australia, the United States and Asia. He is also a non-executive director of an Australian Bank, two early stage technology companies and advises several investment funds and family offices on global investment strategies.
"Craig has experience building investment products in a wide range of asset classes from venture capital to farmland, designed to suit investor needs first, resulting in success in outraising competitors for over 15 years," Mr Hedley said.
Mr Hedley was formerly Global Head of Macquarie Private Bank from 2001 to 2012 and led it to number one in the Australian market.
Atlas Advisors Australia's Head of Venture Capital Geoff Waring new role on the executive committee of university-led investment fund Uniseed would give the Atlas exclusive access to the best investment opportunities coming out of Australia's top universities.
Dr Waring was on the faculty of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) from 1998 to 2007 and since then has been involved in the mentoring and financing of high potential companies.
"Dr Waring's expertise in venture capital is second to none. His joint roles with Atlas Advisors Australia and Uniseed will expose our investors to the latest and most lucrative opportunities in university-driven research and development in Australia," Mr Hedley said.
Other members of Atlas Advisors Australia's leadership team include: Chief Executive Officer Fiona Zhuang, a financial analysis and financial modelling expert formerly at PwC and Executive Director – Head of China, Jade Bao, who previously held roles at PwC and Macquarie Private Bank.
A leading participant in the Significant Investor Visa program, Atlas Advisors Australia manages the investments of many of the highest net worth Chinese investors into Australia with more than $1.7 billion of funds under management.
Atlas Advisors Australia supports the Australian Government's reform to the SIV program to add stimulus to the nation's economy particularly the Venture Capital markets which will be especially challenged amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
"Extending the mandatory investment period for the SIV program from four years to five years could increase the $11 billion economic benefits to Australia by more than 20 per cent, Mr Hedley said.
"Creating greater incentives for investment could provide longer-term economic stimulus boosting employment and growth."
