Alternative investment firm Värde Partners has promoted Missy Dolski to partner and global head of asset-based finance (ABF) and hired Jim Lees as managing director in the same division, according to an announcement.
In her new role, Dolski will focus on middle-market opportunities across commercial and consumer asset classes, as well as fund finance.
Lees, who was previously at KKR & Co., will lead the firm’s ABF origination and underwriting for North America.
The firm said it sees a “tremendous opportunity” to accelerate investment activity in sectors such as small business lending, equipment finance, trade and supply chain finance, secured and unsecured consumer finance, and fund finance.
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“Asset-based finance has been a cornerstone of our platform for over 30 years,” said chief executive Brad Bauer. “Missy has been instrumental in driving investment opportunities emerging out of the banking sector, while delivering excellent financing execution across both public and private markets.”
Dolski said she was thrilled to step into this role and steward Värde’s next phase of growth in ABF. “With a highly talented team and the addition of Jim Lees, whose 25+ years of experience sourcing, structuring, and managing ABF investments will be invaluable, we believe we are well-positioned to continue delivering innovative financing solutions to the market and creating long-term value for our investors.”
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The appointments follow the launch of Värde’s fund finance platform earlier this year. Founded in 1993, the firm has invested more than $110bn (£82.5bn) across the credit quality and liquidity spectrum and currently manages $16bn (£12bn) in assets. Since 2008, Värde has deployed $13bn (£10bn) in its ABF strategy.
