Evans joins Woodbridge from Metrics Credit Partners, where he spent almost five years as an investment director, and has over two decades of experience in property finance, including senior leadership roles at other major institutions, such as Pepper Money and JLL.
In the role at Woodbridge, he will be responsible for new loans and managing client relationships.
His appointment accelerates the Melbourne-based investment manager and non-bank lender’s national expansion, with Evans to be based in the newly opened Sydney CBD office on Bligh Street.
Managing director and CIO of Woodbridge, Andrew Torrington, explained Sydney is a key growth market, and Sydney borrowers want partners who “understand the market, move quickly, and deliver with certainty.”
In particular, he noted Evans’ experience in originating and structuring some of the country’s most complex real estate transactions.
“With Ben now leading our group origination efforts, we’re positioned to do significantly more deals in the city, and to do them well,” he said.
“Ben is a dealmaker in every sense – highly respected, deeply connected, and focused on delivering for borrowers.”
Commenting on his new role, Evans said: “Heading up the origination team provides a fantastic opportunity to build on the firm’s strong foundations, foster deep relationships with borrowers and developers, and contribute to the continued expansion of Woodbridge in the private credit space.”
The firm has been a vocal advocate for stricter regulations aimed at enhancing the transparency of private credit funds.
Evans further noted the importance of providing borrowers with clarity regarding deliverable timelines in commercial real estate (CTE) transactions, given the need for alignment among numerous stakeholders.
“The debt is a significant component and providing clarity is the best way for the deal to close and build long term trusted relationships,” said Evans.
Along with the new Sydney location and team expansion, a refreshed website will also be launched, with the aim of offering better functionality for both investors and borrowers.
