RAM expands real estate division with new hire

Australian-owned asset manager, Real Asset Management, has appointed global real estate veteran Matthew Strotton as Head of Funds Management for the real estate arm of the business.

Strotton brings more than 25 years of experience in global real estate markets to the role, with particular expertise in capital transactions, product development, investment and funds management.

He joins RAM after spending 19 years at QIC Global Real Estate where he was Global Director and Head of Funds Management, taking care of the group’s Australian and United States portfolios.

Strotton also had a hand in increasing QIC’s real estate assets under management (AUM) by over $10 billion. He was also responsible for establishing QIC’s real estate capabilities in the United States and assembling tranches of the group’s global portfolio.

Strotton’s appointment comes as RAM’s global headcount increased by just under 60% in 2021 to have over 100 employees in five locations across the Asia-Pacific region. Strotton joins several other hires made by RAM across Australia since January 2022.

As of 31 December 2021, RAM’s total AUM had also increased by 65% to more than $2.74 billion, with real estate AUM exceeding $1 billion.

Scott Kelly, Australian CEO of RAM, said the new appointment added strength to the Real Estate team and will make good use of Strotton’s 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 said.

The announcement also comes after RAM listed its first Real Estate Investment Trust, the RAM Essential Services Property Fund (REP), on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) last year. The fund offers investors a geographically diversified portfolio of medical and essential retail-based properties, with high-quality profiles including hospital operators and leading national supermarkets.

RAM also acquired four properties for its RAM Diversified Property Fund which focuses on the 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,” Strotton said.