Qualitas bolsters RE private equity team

Qualitas has appointed a senior executive to look after its real estate private equity business, based in Sydney.

Michael Butler has joined the ASX-listed fund manager as head of development and asset management for real estate private equity.

Butler has over 20 years of experience across real estate advisory, development, and investment, bringing a strong technical property background and a collaborative approach to aligning interests to the firm.

He was most recently partner at KordaMentha Real Estate, where he co-led the Sydney team, Qualitas said. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at construction firm Multiplex and Dalrymple-Hay & Co.

Commenting on his appointment, Butler explained the appeal of the current real estate and private equity markets in Australia.

"I am excited by the opportunity to join the team, grow the real estate private equity business, and help drive the next phase of the firm's success," Butler said.

"That opportunity is built on strong foundations - Qualitas has established a strong reputation across the Australian real estate credit and equity markets, underpinned by deep expertise, a disciplined investment approach, and longstanding industry relationships."

The firm also noted Butler is a valuable addition as it continues to scale its real estate private equity platform.

Qualitas also welcomed Jesse Curtis from Centuria Capital Group to become the head of direct real estate in April, who is responsible to grow its direct real estate platform as a separate business to its private credit and real estate private equity divisions.