Our Team

As a former Senior Partner and head of the Global Real Estate practice at Baker & McKenzie, Edwin has over 35 years experience specialising in all aspects of commercial property law advising both local and international clients on a wide range of significant and complex market leading transactions. This experience has seen Edwin retained by leading Australian and International clients including Real Estate Investment Trusts, Property Funds and Asset Managers as a “Trusted Advisor” on significant multi-practice and multi-jurisdictional client mandates.

Edwin is an experienced Public and Private company Director having held non- executive Directorships across a wide range of Property and Resources Industries as well as serving on the Board of a large and diversified Australian Family Office.

Edwin is also a Fellow of the Australian Property Institute.

Ray has over 50 years experience in property related activities including funds management, development, investment banking and corporate finance. Ray is the founder of Fortius and has been involved in every direct property investment of the funds under Fortius’ stewardship since inception.

Ray was an Executive Director at Wardley Australia Limited and was Joint Managing Director of the Project Finance and Property Services division. While at Wardley he was responsible for establishing one of Australia’s earliest professionally managed property trusts, the HSBC (then Wardley) Australian Private Property Trust in 1984. Fortius continued to be the direct property fund manager for this Australian fund until 2005, after which Fortius established their own wholesale property platform and funds.

Katherine is a financial services professional with over 25 years experience in sales and marketing. Katherine is a shareholder and Executive with Vinva Investment Management Limited, and a Non-Executive Director with the UCA Funds Management Limited Board and Fortius Funds Management Limited. Prior to joining Vinva in July 2010 she was with Barclays Global Investors (BGI) for 11 years. At BGI, Katherine was a Managing Director and Head of Distribution, with accountability for approximately 35 sales and client service staff, over 300 institutional clients and retail intermediary platforms. Katherine also had responsibility for functional reporting areas such as: Corporate Governance, Marketing & Communications and Performance & Reporting. Katherine was a member of the BGI Australia Executive Committee for over 10 years, founder of the BGI Women’s Initiative, and a Responsible Officer. Katherine and her team were highly rated by clients in independent surveys such as Greenwich and Mirador.

Prior to joining BGI, Katherine worked for three years as Communications Executive with Legal & General – Financial Services Division. Katherine commenced her career in financial services on the retail side, with Pembroke Financial Planners, and then had six years as Marketing Executive with Bain & Company/Deutsche Bank. Katherine commenced her working career with IBM Australia as a Sales Executive in Queensland.

Katherine has a Bachelor of Business (BBus) and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and ASFA. Katherine has also completed the RG 146 Compliance certificate.

Sam is Executive Director of Funds Management, having transitioned from the Chief Executive Officer role and Chief Operating Officer role and having held many senior executive and leadership roles within Fortius for many years.

Sam provides extensive experience in real estate funds management, asset management, project delivery and execution of all real estate strategies at Fortius. Sam is responsible for the business including people management, and has been involved in every project Fortius (previously known as Sproats & Partners) has participated in since joining in 1998. Sam is across all parts of the Fortius business.

Sam shares a passion for value add strategies and sustainable outcomes, having gained experience in over 45 projects across many asset classes, totalling in excess of $870 million of capital works. Sam plays a strategic role in the execution of refurbishments, improving cash flows and the repositioning of assets, with the objective of optimising investment performance.

Philip has over 50 years experience in law, property funds management and professional trusteeship. He has had various roles with professional Trustee companies (Trust Company and Permanent Trustee company). Prior to that he was Managing Director of Equitable Group Ltd, the wholly owned funds management subsidiary of QBE Limited. He was the Chairman of Metlife Trustee Pty Limited. He was a non practising solicitor.

Philip is a Responsible Manager and Chairman of the Compliance, Risk Management and Conflicts Committees and has overseen the establishment of the Corporate Governance structure of Fortius since 2006.

Andrew has over a twenty-five-year career in senior executive positions within global financial services businesses including Deutsche Bank, Schroders Investment Management, Cheyne Capital Management, ABN Amro and CIMB.

In these roles Andrew was focused on absolute return hedge fund strategies investing in public and private markets in real assets, as well as listed equities both in Australia and offshore. Having managed the Pan European capital markets program at Cheyne Capital Management, Andrew brings deep knowledge of investing and capital raising across the capital structure including property debt, corporate credit, structured credit, and equity.

In 2015, Andrew founded Stornoway Capital Partners, a specialist real estate debt arrangement, advisory, and fund management firm. Since 2015, Andrew has originated, advised and arranged over $200m of private real estate debt. Since 2017, Stornoway Capital has partnered with Fortius in arranging real estate secured private debt solutions.

As Managing Director of Fortius Debt Capital, Andrew is responsible for strategic direction, transaction origination and execution, and capital raising.

Andrew has a Bachelor or Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Adelaide.

Marc joins Fortius’s real estate capital team to lead capital raising and partnerships, business development and investor relations.  Marc has over 25years’ experience advising investors across the real estate spectrum in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Prior to joining Fortius, Marc was Head of International Capital – Australia & NZ with CBREs Capital Markets Group based in Sydney and working across the APAC region.  In this role, Marc advised on over $6 billion real estate deals across Australia and New Zealand spanning portfolios, partnerships, debt and direct transactions.

Before returning to Sydney, Marc was based in CBREs Singapore office where he established the Group’s International Capital desk in Asia, focused on identifying and advising the region’s leading institutions, developers and families looking to deploy capital to real estate opportunities globally.  He was also a member of the firm’s Global Capital Markets Executive Committee.

Marc holds a Masters in Applied Finance and a Bachelor of Land Economy, he currently sits on the Property Council of Australia’s Global Investment Committee.

Catherine is responsible for overseeing the delivery of key investor communication, capital raising, marketing and branding for the Fortius Group. In her role, Catherine works as a key adviser to the leadership team engaging with multiple stakeholders.

Joining Fortius in 2013, Catherine has been involved in the strategic development and marketing of investment products across the Fortius business divisions, including the launch of the Fortius Global Real Estate Securities Fund and capital raising for Fortius Syndicates and Joint Venture mandates representing over $200 million of equity.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts and Education from University of New South Wales and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Technology Sydney.

Adeline is responsible for the maintenance of the various marketing channels to deliver a seamless and personalised customer experience for the Fortius investors as well as managing communication with investors.

Ingrid joined the Fortius Group in 2016. Ingrid oversees the day to day operations and finance matters, including financial reporting, budgeting and forecast preparation for the Fortius Group and subsidiary operations. Ingrid has over 10 years’ experience within the Finance Industry. More recently, Ingrid held a finance role within a boutique institutional investment management and advisory business focused exclusively on institutional capital in the real estate sector.

Dani has recently joined Fortius and assists the Finance team with the monthly management, accounting and reconciliations for the Fortius Group and subsidiary operations. Prior to Fortius, Dani worked in tax and business services. Dani is also currently undertaking her Chartered Accountant qualification.

Claire joins Fortius and assists the Finance team with the monthly reconciliations of the Fortius Group and its subsidiary operations alongside other management, and accounting tasks. Previously, Claire worked in the Business Advisory Services sector advising in tax. Claire has recently completed her degree in Bachelor of Professional Accounting and is making preparations to undertake her Chartered Accountant qualifications.

In her role as support to the Funds Management Team and the Executive Assistant (EA) of Funds Management, Annabel takes on various responsibilities. She works closely with the Executive to handle tasks such as preparing and distributing Board & Committee packs, arranging travel for directors, and maintaining calendars. Additionally, Annabel efficiently coordinates the operations of both the Sydney and Brisbane offices, ensuring smooth office coordination and addressing any ad hoc requests.

Tim is Head of Capital Transactions at Fortius and is responsible for managing deal origination, investment strategy, feasibility analysis, pre purchase due diligence and contract negotiation. Tim also plays a key role in the procurement of debt and capital structuring, with a focus on institutional clients and offshore mandates. During his time at Fortius, Tim has transacted over $1bn of office, retail and mixed use assets.

Prior to joining Fortius, Tim worked at CBRE within the Brisbane Capital Markets team, gaining direct exposure to over $2bn of institutional grade transactions.

Tim has over 15 years of experience in commercial real estate, capital transactions and advisory having previously worked within acquisition and disposal strategy for the Queensland State Government. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science (Property Economics) and a Master of Business (Applied Finance).

Billy is a Senior Analyst within the Capital Transactions team at Fortius with a primary focus on leading the Capital Transactions Analytical function, including financial modelling and investment analysis of real estate investment opportunities to support the Capital Transactions team.
Prior to joining Fortius, Billy held roles most recently within Dexus, and as a Certified Practising Valuer with Savills.
Billy holds a Bachelor of Property & Real Estate and is an Associate Member of the Australian Property Institute.

Jameson joined the Fortius Team in November 2020 with 6 years’ experience in commercial real estate. Jameson’s most recent role was at Centuria Healthcare Property Service’s (CHPS) asset management team where he was responsible for valuation and portfolio analysis across unlisted healthcare assets.

Jameson’s primary job function is investment modelling of transactions and assisting with the active management of Fortius separate accounts and syndications.

Jameson holds an Advanced Diploma of Property Services (Valuation) from TAFE Ultimo and a Graduate Diploma in Property Development from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Renaud joined the Fortius team in 2015 and has 15 years’ experience in commercial and retail property.

With expertise in retail asset management, his primary job function is within Fortius separate accounts and syndication businesses.

These funds require maximisation of additional income opportunities and superior leasing outcomes for Investors.

Prior to Fortius, Renaud held roles most recently within Westfield, and the Asset Management Services team (AMS) at Knight Frank.

Renaud holds a Bachelor of Business and Masters in Property.

David joined Fortius in 2018 following 11 years working in agency roles, most recently as Director, Asset Management Services, for Knight Frank Australia. During his time in the property industry David has been responsible for management of A and B grade properties throughout the Sydney Market.

Utilising the experience gained increasing asset value through building refurbishment/ repositioning, plant upgrades and lease renewals, David’s focus is the asset management of buildings within the Fortius separate accounts and syndication businesses to maximise return for investors.

Melissa joined Fortius as a Senior Asset Manager, and her role involves driving all aspects of asset performance to deliver returns in line with investment strategy.

Melissa has over 20 years-experience in the retail property industry having worked for four (4) major AREIT’s being Scentre Group, AMP Capital Shopping Centres, QIC and Mirvac during that time. Her extensive experience in the retail property sector extends across retail marketing, centre management, project delivery and most recently development management on a diverse range of retail properties in NSW and VIC, including; Westfield Miranda, Warringah Mall, Harbourside, Marrickville Metro, Westpoint, Rhodes Waterside and Moonee Ponds Central.

Melissa has extensive knowledge of, and a wide network of industry contacts in the retail property sector and is passionate about the key role the retail sector plays in connecting communities and as Australia’s second largest employer.

Peter joined the Fortius team in December 2017 with 5 years’ experience in commercial real estate. Peter’s most recent role was within the Asset Management Services (AMS) Team at Knight Frank where he managed a portfolio of commercial and industrial assets across greater Sydney.

Supported by his expertise in property management, Peter’s primary job function is the active management of Fortius separate accounts and syndications.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Property Economics and a Masters in Real Estate Investment from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).

Stephanie joined Fortius in 2021 after working at Knight Frank Australia previously in the Asset Management Services team. Stephanie’s experience is in managing commercial assets across the greater Sydney area. At Fortius, Stephanie works across various syndicated assets and supports the wider team. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Business from UTS.

Joshua joined Fortius in August 2022 after working as a Client Side Project Manager, and for CBRE’s Sydney Commercial Property Management team. Joshua has experience managing assets in Sydney’s and North Sydney’s CBD, and managing projects across NSW and QLD. Joshua joined the Sydney Asset Management Team assisting the entire portfolio.

Nick has a 20 year track record of property development with prestigious firms including Mirvac, Cornerstone, TMG Developments, Ashington Property Group and Fortius. Nick has worked extensively in the major sectors including residential, retail and office and he has an exceptional track record of development problem solving.
 
Nick’s know-how in construction, complex refurbishments, sales and marketing, change of use and leasing, is particularly valuable to Fortius and its clients. Nick is a sought after specialist in the development industry and comes with an enviable reputation.