Located in Sydney, Mr Barker will focus on “identifying and executing” investment opportunities for IFM’s new direct investments business, the announcement stated.
Mr Barker was previously head of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) at Bupa Australia. Phillip Bower, head of direct investments at IFM, said Mr Barker’s experience in M&A and principal investment will enhance IFM’s investment team.
“He will form an integral part of fulfilling our mandate of value creation through active ownership of businesses across the full investment lifecycle,” Mr Bower said.
Mr Barker has around 13 years’ experience across M&A and private equity and his role at Bupa included leading the $500m acquisition of Dental Corporation. He was also previously investment director at Hastings Funds Management, and worked at Credit Suisse to execute M&A, capital markets and leveraged finance transactions, IFM said.
