Barings appoints first Asia Pacific real estate MD

Former Challenger executive director and real estate transactions specialist John Ratcliffe has joined Barings as managing director and head of Asia Pacific real estate. The position is a new one in the business that will help develop the business' Pan-Asian and Australian real estate platform covering both equity and debt.

Ratcliffe left Challenger in early 2020 after more than a dozen years with the financial services group. He also spent time in asset management with high-end retail and mixed-use developer Niecon Developments.

In his new role, he will be responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, focusing initially on Australia and Japan. The goal is to expand into China as well as assist in capital raising.

"John's 20-year experience in the real estate industry and exceptional track record make him an ideal person to help us serve our clients and build on Barings' significant presence in the Asia Pacific region across other asset classes," said Baring's head of Asia Pacific and head of business development Duncan Roberts.

"This strategic hire is further evidence of Barings commitment to attracting the very best global talent the real estate sector has to offer."

Ratcliffe said that Barings reputation made it an easy decision to join the firm. "Barings is a highly reputable global firm with strong ambitions to grow its real estate business in the Asia Pacific region, building on the successful and well-established platforms it has in the U.S. and Europe.

"I look forward to hitting the ground running in sourcing new investment opportunities, focusing first on Australia and Japan and then more broadly across other Asian territories."