At Australian Alternatives Fund, our investment management team is led by seasoned professionals with deep expertise in alternative asset investing. With backgrounds in private equity and real assets, our managers bring a wealth of experience in identifying and executing high-value investment opportunities. Their disciplined approach to portfolio construction, risk management, and long-term value creation ensures that every investment aligns with our commitment to delivering strong, sustainable returns. By leveraging their deep insights, strategic thinking, and hands-on experience, our team provides investors with access to exclusive opportunities beyond traditional markets.

Our investment management team

With a proven track record for innovation and managing complex projects, Symon's lateral thinking approach brings value to clients by solving their unique needs. With over 30 years of development and property experience, Symon brings a full range of property expertise to his clients. He has worked extensively in commercial, industrial, and residential property across multiple countries and in several states of Australia.

Starting his career in New Zealand, Symon established his own development company, where he successfully delivered multiple projects in the residential, commercial, and industrial spaces around Auckland. He was the first person and business in New Zealand to purchase "Air-Space" over a car park in his late 20s, demonstrating his innovative approach to property development. Symon later arrived in Australia and immediately undertook a significant acquisition in Cairns, leading the DA for a 1,500-person resort, including a proposed Marriott Hotel and subdivision project within 300 acres of rainforest and 2km of waterfront.

Jay Mertens bring nearly two decades of proven experience in private asset investment management, alternative debt, and corporate finance. His career is marked by a consistent focus on originating and executing complex transactions for mid-market growth companies.

Jay provides strategic advice, capital raising (debt and equity), M&A services, and due diligence support to clients. His expertise is rooted in his previous roles, including serving as a Partner and Shareholder at Yorkway Private, where he originated nearly 30 private debt investments, and as an Investment Director at M.H. Carnegie & Co. He began his career with a decade at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where he was a corporate originator for private equity clients, completing over 30 transactions, and an institutional equities research analyst. Jay is also noted as a Chartered Accountant.

Kim H. McRae, CFA, is an accomplished Senior Analyst and investment professional with over 20 years of experience in global equities research, financial modeling, and portfolio management.

She has worked as a Senior Analyst/Director at RC Global Funds Management, where she specialises in bottom-up research, generating strong returns for Energy & Infrastructure and Ethical Funds, and providing strategic guidance to the Board. Previously, she spent 13 years at Mondrian Investments as a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, managing client portfolios and presenting large-cap equity investments globally. Kim holds a CFA Charter and degrees in Commerce and Law, and also leverages her investment expertise in commercial property development.

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