Ninety One appoints director to boost SE Asia infra origination

Ninety One has appointed Leong Kae Xiang as a director, focusing on the development and management of the firm’s infrastructure debt portfolio in South and South East Asia.

In his new role, Leong will be responsible for originating, structuring, and executing infrastructure debt transactions across South and South East Asia, as well as managing relationships with key stakeholders. He will be based in Singapore.

Before joining Ninety One, Leong was director, client coverage group at Clifford Capital, responsible for the origination, arrangement and execution of infrastructure financing globally across the debt capital spectrum.

Prior to that he was vice president in the structured finance department at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation where he was responsible for originating and executing debt arranging and financial advisory mandates for power, energy TMT and infrastructure projects in Asia

“Kae Xiang’s deep technical knowledge and extensive experience in infrastructure debt transactions will play a pivotal role in advancing our growth strategy across South and South East Asia,” said Martijn Proos, co-head of emerging market alternative credit at Ninety One.

“His expertise in originating, structuring, and executing complex infrastructure deals, coupled with his deep understanding of emerging markets, positions him as a key asset in driving sustainable and impactful investments.

“Infrastructure development in these rapidly growing markets is essential to supporting long-term economic growth, and Kae Xiang’s expertise and insight will help us continue to unlock value for our investors.”

Ninety One is the manager for the Emerging Africa & Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), which provides long-term commercial debt to deliver inclusive and impactful infrastructure projects in Africa and Asia.