Betashares names director of private assets

James Fleiter, a former member of the institutional sales team at Ares Management Australia, has joined Betashares as the exchange-traded funds provider expands into private credit.

Fleiter joins as director of private assets after taking three months' gardening leave following his departure from Ares.

Betashares confirmed that he will join the lineup of investment strategists reporting to executive director and senior investment strategist Cameron Gleeson.

Fleiter's appointment comes as Betashares aims to increase the range of robust investment exposures available to investors as well as continuing its focus on maintaining and growing its range of ETFs.

In addition to a full pipeline of new ETFs, the firm is also gearing up for a push into private assets via a range of unlisted funds, with the first cab off the rank being US private credit.

"We're working on responsibly opening access to private assets in the near future, and we're excited to welcome James Fleiter to our growing team to help drive forward our offering in this asset class," said Peter Harper, head of distribution and capital markets at Betashares.

"In particular, he will play an important role in ensuring that we're continuing to lift the bar in meeting the needs of investors and financial advisers when it comes to the role that private assets can play in a robust portfolio."

At Ares, Fleiter was a relationship manager in the global client solutions group, focusing on institutional client management for Australia and New Zealand.

He joined the $352 billion alternative investment manager in 2023.

Previously, Fleiter led business development and consultant relationships for Australia and New Zealand at BNP Paribas Asset Management Australia.

He also worked in institutional sales at Aberdeen and held roles at MLC Asset Management covering boutique fund distribution, capital market research and asset consulting.