Pallas Capital hires from Qualitas

Pallas Capital has created a global head of capital role as the private credit manager looks to expand its institutional investor base in Australia and overseas, hiring from Qualitas.

Dean Winterton, who joins from ASX-listed real estate investment manager Qualitas, will lead the firm's institutional capital strategy, targeting investors including pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurers and endowments.

His remit includes developing new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships and raising discretionary capital.

The appointment formalises institutional fundraising as a dedicated growth channel alongside Pallas Capital's established relationships with wholesale investors, financial advisers, banks and other funding partners. The firm manages about $4.7 billion of capital on behalf of these groups.

Pallas Capital's lending vehicles have invested $11.6 billion across more than 1,400 transactions since inception. It currently manages more than 450 investments valued at $5 billion.

Winterton previously served as global head of capital at Qualitas, where he led fundraising across institutional, wholesale and listed investment strategies.

He brings more than 30 years of experience in investment management, capital formation and institutional distribution across Australia and international markets.

Pallas Capital executive director and chief investment officer Dan Gallen said the appointment would build on existing institutional relationships and support further expansion.

"Institutional capital is already an important part of our platform, with a number of established partnerships across our credit and investment strategies," Gallen said.

"As institutional investors continue to increase allocations to private credit and seek experienced specialist managers, we believe Pallas Capital is well positioned to capture that opportunity."

Winterton said growing interest in private credit and alternative real estate strategies was creating opportunities for specialist managers with strong origination capabilities.

"Pallas Capital has already built a strong institutional foundation, underpinned by a differentiated platform spanning both real estate credit and development," he said.

"It's combination of investment expertise and practical development experience supports a detailed understanding of property risk, active management and the execution of complex real estate opportunities."

His priorities over the next 12 months include expanding institutional relationships globally and increasing discretionary capital available to the business.

The appointment follows Pallas Capital's expansion into the UK earlier this year, when it established a separate business led by executive director Ben Keenan, extending the group's real estate lending operations into another international market.