Macquarie Asset Management has hired executives in New York and London for its expanding infrastructure debt strategy at the heart of its $18.2 billion private credit business.
Harlan Cherniak was appointed head of infrastructure debt in the Americas, bringing over two decades of experience to the new role in Macquarie’s New York offices. Gurjit Orjela, meanwhile, was hired to focus on high-yield infrastructure debt opportunities in Europe, based in London.
Their hires are part of the meeting the growing need for long-term financing from borrowers in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors.
“We’re incredibly pleased to have Harlan join us in New York and Gurjit in London,” said Kit Hamilton, head of Macquarie Asset Management’s Private Credit team. “As we look to enhance our existing platform and expand our high yield offering, we are confident in their ability to provide tailored financing solutions that meet the needs of our investor and borrower clients.”
Cherniak joined from The Forest Road Company, where he was chief business officer and led a number of strategic initiatives including the development of its asset-based finance platform focused on distributed generation renewable energy. Prior to Forest Road, he was co-head of Americas Special Situations at KKR. He focused at the firm on special situations across North America, Europe and Asia. He was deeply involved in the origination, execution, corporate governance and monetization for its portfolio companies and played an integral role on its investment, risk and analytics and portfolio management committees.
Orjela has 18 years of investment experience in investment grade and high-yield infrastructure investment strategies. Previously he was a senior investment director in Edmond de Rothschild’s Asset Management business, where he led the fund investment strategy for the civil, social and economic infrastructure sectors. Prior to Edmond de Rothschild, he was M&A and financial advisor and led infrastructure debt investments for HSBC and the Bank of Ireland.
