AMP Capital has announced changes to the Global Infrastructure Equity team to support the business's next phase of growth, international expansion and the needs of an increasingly global client base.

AMP Capital Global Head of Infrastructure Equity Boe Pahari said: "When it comes to strengthening AMP Capital's international investment capability, the Infrastructure Equity business has a key role to play. We have seen great momentum in the fundraising for our global infrastructure offering, which we launched last October, and there are also many more opportunities available to us going forward.

"Our priority now is to more closely align our global infrastructure offering and expertise in asset management and sector origination with the changing needs of our clients so we can capture these opportunities."

The Global Infrastructure Equity team will increase its focus on products, services and functional expertise in Europe and Australia rather than on regions. As a result, Head of Infrastructure for Australia and New Zealand Paul Foster will leave the business. The role of Head of Infrastructure for Europe and the Americas, which was left vacant by Mr Pahari's elevation to Global Head of Infrastructure Equity, will not be filled.

The Separately Managed Accounts and Origination functions will be merged and Michael Bessell, who is currently Global Head of Origination, will take on an expanded role as Head of Separately Managed Accounts & Origination, Australia and New Zealand.

The funds management team will also be combined to focus on delivering investment expertise across AMP Capital's key sectors of energy/utilities, transport and airports. Michael Cummings, currently AMP Capital Infrastructure Equity Fund Manager, has been promoted to lead the team as Head of Australia and New Zealand Funds.

Social Infrastructure and Aged Care will be combined and headed up by Julie-Anne Mizzi, currently AMP Capital Community Infrastructure Fund Manager, as Head of Social & Aged Care, Australia and New Zealand.

Following these changes, AMP Capital's Head of Customised Accounts, Infrastructure, Chris Wade, and Head of Listed Debt John Mitchell will also leave the business.

Mr Pahari said: "I'd like to thank Paul, Chris and John for their contribution to the business and I wish them well for the future. It is a reflection of the talent we have in AMP Capital's Infrastructure Equity team that we have been able to expand responsibilities and promote from within. I look forward to working closely with Michael Cummings, Julie-Anne Mizzi and Michael Bessell in their new roles as we grow our business and seek to provide even better outcomes for clients."

About AMP Capital
AMP Capital is a specialist investment manager with more than A$145 billion in funds under management as at 30 September 2014 and more than 250 investment professionals worldwide. AMP Capital has a heritage and strength in real estate and infrastructure, and specialist expertise in fixed income, equities and multi-asset solutions.

AMP Capital is a subsidiary of AMP Limited. Established in 1849, AMP has more than 160 years of experience providing financial services, and is one of Australia's largest retail and corporate pension providers.

Michael Cummings
Michael Cummings is the Fund Manager for AMP Capital's domestic, flagship, wholesale Infrastructure Equity Fund. He has more than 22 years of international experience in the infrastructure sector, having held senior executive positions in a number of major energy infrastructure companies. Before commencing his role at AMP Capital in June 2012, Michael was the COO (Energy) at Brookfield Infrastructure where he was responsible for the performance of a multi-billion dollar global portfolio of energy and utility infrastructure assets located in Australia, US, UK, and NZ. This involved significant international governance roles as the Chair or Director on a number of company boards around the world. Prior to this, Michael was Divisional CEO for the leading energy infrastructure company in New Zealand, where he was responsible for all aspects of the company's gas business; including processing, transmission, distribution and sales. He has gained significant international experience in the energy industry, having held several senior leadership and management roles in a number of different regulatory regimes, since commencing his career with British Gas in 1990. Michael is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a member of the Institution of Professional Engineers, New Zealand. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh, and is a graduate of the Strategic Leadership Programme at Millbrook, New Zealand.

Julie-Anne Mizzi
Julie-Anne has been with AMP for more than 11 years working in both Sydney and London, first as an equities portfolio manager and later in various strategy roles. Julie-Anne was appointed as Portfolio Manager of the AMP Capital Community Infrastructure Fund in September 2010. Prior to her appointment as Portfolio Manager, her most recent roles were as Investment Specialist, Infrastructure and Head of Strategy at AMP Capital where she was responsible for the development of AMP Capital's five-year strategic plan including the entry into Asia. Julie-Anne has extensive investment management experience working in the industry since 1988. Prior to joining AMP, Julie-Anne held various roles in a number of stockbroking and investment management companies including Ord Minnett, ANZ McCaughan and NZI Investments.

Michael Bessell
As Global Head of Origination, Michael has been responsible for identification and execution of new investments within the infrastructure origination team. Michael's investment banking experience dates back to 1992. Initially, Michael focused on mergers and acquisitions, equity raising and the development of infrastructure projects as sponsor/principal. Prior to joining AMP Capital, he was a Director at NM Rothschild & Sons for six years. Prior to joining Rothschild he worked for the investment bank, Schroders, in Sydney and London. Michael had senior roles in key transactions in the utilities, transport, financial services, industrials, mining and government sectors including the initial public offering of Contact Energy, New Zealand, bids for Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth Airports, and many domestic and cross-border public and private acquisitions in the mining and industrial sectors. Michael holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.