Trustee-manager of Keppel Infra Trust names new CEO

MATTHEW Pollard will step down as chief executive of Keppel Infrastructure Fund Management (KIFM), the trustee-manager of Keppel Infrastructure Trust (KIT), from July 31 to "pursue other opportunities in the region".

He will be replaced by Jopy Chiang, who is currently senior vice-president for investments at Keppel Capital, from Aug 1, KIT announced in a Thursday bourse filing after the market close.

Separately, the trust announced earlier in the day that it will make an additional arbitration provision of S$23.8 million for its Australian subsidiary Basslink.

On the leadership change, KIT said that Mr Pollard will be appointed as an adviser to KIFM to ensure continuity and a smooth transition.

His successor, 36-year-old Mr Chiang, joined Keppel Capital in 2019 and played a key role in the launch of the Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund. He was previously the head of execution at Mizuho Asia Infra Capital, a captive infrastructure fund owned by Mizuho Bank. Prior to that, he worked at Partners Group, Arcapita and Barclays Capital, and was based in Hong Kong, London and Singapore.

He has spent over a decade in infrastructure investing and investment banking, with US$10 billion of transaction and advisory experience in developed and emerging markets across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America, KIT said.

Segments he has experience in include renewables, regulated utilities, conventional energy, distribution and transmission, transportation, water, waste and digital infrastructure.

Daniel Ee, chairman and independent director of KIFM, expressed confidence that Mr Chiang would "lead KIT effectively on its next phase of growth and provide long-term and sustainable returns".

Mr Ee added: "On behalf of the board, I would like to express our appreciation to Matt for his contributions to KIT. Under his leadership, KIT completed two successful acquisitions of Ixom and Philippine Coastal Storage and Pipeline Corporation, providing new growth pillars that will drive growth for the trust."

KIT units closed flat at S$0.56 on Thursday.