Infrastructure debt platform expands through employment of fresh personnel, courtesy of Ares.
Ares Management Strengthens Infrastructure Debt Platform with Key Hires
In a bid to bolster its infrastructure debt platform and expand its presence in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, Ares Management has made strategic hires in New York and Sydney.
Jon Plavnick, with nearly two decades of experience in infrastructure debt, has been appointed as Partner in New York. Plavnick, who previously held roles at Oaktree Capital Management, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank, will focus on sourcing, structuring, and managing infrastructure debt investments throughout the Americas. His recent stint as a Partner at Global Infrastructure Partners brings valuable insights to Ares.
Simultaneously, Spencer Ivey, Partner and Head of Americas and Asia-Pacific Infrastructure Debt, has relocated to Ares' Sydney office. Ivey, originally from Australia, has been instrumental in the platform's growth from New York for over 11 years. His move to Sydney is aimed at accelerating the strategy's growth in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly following Ares' 2022 acquisition of an infrastructure debt business.
These appointments complement recent team enhancements. Brent Canada was appointed Partner in New York in 2022, while Lorenzo Ceretti joined as Partner in London in 2023. Daniel Katz, who joined Ares in 2006, was appointed head of portfolio management for Ares infrastructure debt in 2024, overseeing portfolio monitoring and restructuring.
As of March 31, 2025, the infrastructure debt strategy managed nearly $11 billion in assets, with over $21 billion deployed historically. The strategy focuses on sectors such as digital, transport, energy, and utilities. With 25 investment professionals operating across offices in London, New York, Singapore, and Sydney, Ares is well-positioned to provide financing solutions to businesses and assets across these sectors.
Patrick Trears, Partner and Global Head of Ares infrastructure debt, stated that they have continued to enhance the positioning of their infrastructure debt platform, leveraging industry trends like urbanization, digitization, and the energy transition.
These hires are part of Ares' ongoing efforts to strengthen its global infrastructure debt platform, expanding its footprint in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and globally.
[1] Source: Ares Management's Q1 2025 earnings report [2] Source: Ares Management's press release, "Ares Management Corporation Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results" [3] Source: Ares Management's website, "Infrastructure Debt" section [4] Source: Ares Management's press release, "Ares Management Corporation Announces Closing of Acquisition of Infrastructure Debt Business"
- The strategic hires of Jon Plavnick in New York and Spencer Ivey in Sydney are aimed at strengthening Ares Management's finance portfolio within the infrastructure debt sector in the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions, respectively.
- As Ares Management continues to expand its global infrastructure debt platform, focusing on sectors such as digital, transport, energy, and utilities, the recent appointments will contribute to sourcing, structuring, and managing infrastructure debt investments worldwide.
