People moves and key promotions in securitisation

This week’s round-up of securitisation-related job swaps sees Octagon Credit Investors appointing senior portfolio manager Gretchen Lam as its new ceo. Elsewhere, structured finance lawyers Martin Bartlam and Elana Hahn have joined Xfinite Global and Fasken respectively.

The appointment of Lam as Octagon’s new ceo comes as the firm’s cofounder Andrew Gordon transitions into a new role as executive chair from January 2024. Lam joined the firm in 1999 and was appointed as a member of the investment committee at Octagon in 2013. In her role as senior portfolio manager, she has managed CLOs, separate accounts and commingled funds, as well as overseeing its structured credit strategies.

Meanwhile, CBA has appointed Rachel Dowel as head of bank and securitisation risk, IB&M, based in Sydney. She was previously a Level 1 credit officer for Westpac Institutional Bank’s securitisation portfolio and has also worked at NAB and ANZ.

CBRE has welcomed a new vp to its debt and structured finance practice in Dallas. DJ Elefant joins the firm’s capital markets division from Greystone and will work primarily on securing financing solutions for multifamily and seniors housing clients across the US. 

S&P subsidiary Crisil has promoted Hiral Bhatt to associate director for structured finance, working out of its Mumbai office. Bhatt joined Crisil in 2012, having previously spent 18 months at KRChoksey Shares & Securities.

Hahn has joined Fasken as a partner in its banking and finance group, based in the firm’s Toronto office. She was previously a partner at Dentons, which she joined in August 2016, having worked at Morrison & Foerster and Mayer Brown in London before that.

Great Lakes Insurance SE has appointed Andrea Itri as md, structured credit solutions, with a focus on SRT transactions. He was previously svp, global portfolio solutions at Marsh, having worked at StormHarbour Securities, Moody’s Analytics and Genworth Financial.

Guido Cafaggi has joined Howden Broking as associate director, balance sheet advisory and structuring, based in London. He was previously associate director, securitised products group at Lloyds, which he joined in February 2022. Before that, Cafaggi was an associate in Mizuho’s securitised products group, where he structured and distributed synthetic securitisations.

Mitsubishi HC Capital America has recruited Tony Montemurro to its structured finance and leasing team, where he will serve as vp of sales. Based in Las Vegas, Montemurro will focus on originating equipment financing solutions across different industries, supporting the firm’s plans for growth in the western US. Montemurro previously held the position of vp at MB Bank and TCF Capital Solutions, and has more than 30 years of equipment financing and banking experience.

Santander has promoted José Luis Castilla Fidalgo to vp, structured finance, based in Mexico City. Before joining the bank as an associate in August 2021, he was associate director, project finance at Fitch.

Finally, Bartlam has joined Xfinite Global as head of business affairs and general legal counsel, based in London. He was previously a partner, specialising in structured finance, and global fintech co-chair at DLA Piper, which he joined in January 2012. Before that, Bartlam worked at Orrick and Jones Day.