Toronto, Monday, October 26th, 2009 – Brookfield Financial Corp. (“Brookfield Financial”) has today announced its move into the UK market as part of a global expansion of its advisory services platform.
The opening of Brookfield Financial’s London office follows the recent opening of offices in New York and plans to open offices in Sydney in early 2010.
Brookfield Financial has appointed Philip Ward to Managing Partner of Brookfield Financial Europe LP in line with the strategic expansion. Philip will be responsible for the provision of investment banking and property investment brokerage advisory services to the European markets.
Brookfield Financial is a wholly-owned affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management and provides a range of advisory and investment banking services to international real estate and infrastructure clients, including private real estate investors, developers, pension funds, public corporations and REITS.
Philip will lead an experienced team that has previously worked at Eurohypo and engaged on a wide variety of complex, high-profile and successful transactions. He brings more than 28 years of experience in senior positions with Eurohypo, Bear Stearns and Rothschild in London and Paris.
Arnaud Plat, who has 11 years investment banking experience throughout Europe, will join the firm’s UK team in the role of Managing Partner. Philip and Arnaud will be joined by Andrew Simmons, in the role of Partner. Romain Ruiz, will support the team in the position of Associate.
In accepting the position, Philip Ward, Managing Partner commented: “Brookfield Financial's successful business model will enhance our ability to serve clients and accelerate the growth of our business throughout Europe and the region.”
“As one of the leading investment banking advisory services in Canada, we have made the important strategic decision to expand our operations internationally,” said Brydon Cruise, President of Brookfield Financial. “This will allow Brookfield Financial to meet the needs of our existing clients in the markets where they operate and to broaden its commitment to superior client service. We are very pleased to add new partners of this calibre and experience to the Brookfield Financial team.”
Bruce Flatt, Senior Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Brookfield Financial’s parent, said: “Brookfield Financial’s advisory business is a critical component of our overall organisation. Their team is responsible for establishing and maintaining contact with a broad range of real estate and infrastructure companies and our entire organisation will benefit from its enhanced reach.”
Brookfield Financial, a wholly-owned affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management (TSX/NYSE: BAM, Euronext: BAMA), provides a broad array of advisory and investment banking services to international real estate and infrastructure clients, including private real estate investors, developers, pension funds, public corporations and REITS. The focus of Brookfield Financial’s team of 45 professionals is client service, delivered through our ability to provide unparalleled access to financial capital, independent advice, unique structuring capabilities, transaction and execution expertise. For more information, please visit Brookfield Financial's website at www.brookfieldfinancial.com.