The opportunistic credit, distressed debt and special situations fund chaired by Ray Horsburgh, AM, has appointed well known pastoralist and savvy investor Paddy Handbury to its Advisory Board.
Distressed debt and special situations specialists Arbitrium Capital Partners welcomes the investment and appointment of Patrick (“Paddy”) Handbury to the firm’s Advisory Board.
Ray Horsburgh, AM, as Chair of the firm’s Board was delighted to have Mr Handbury join the Arbitrium ranks. “There is not much that doesn’t pass Paddy’s desk when it comes to large scale agribusiness or corporate activity in the Australian ag sector and it is with this insight, he will no doubt be a highly-valued appointee. His deep knowledge, strong reputation and the financial investment of his own personal resources is second to none in this regard.” Mr Horsburgh went further to say that “apart from spending significant time on his own family’s Handbury Rural business ventures, Paddy was well skilled and experienced in the corporate boardroom with previous ASX and ASIC licensed roles and his current roles with FRRR and the Geelong Grammar school. This is a rare talent ind
Launched in September 2020, Arbitrium Capital Partners invests in the senior secured debt (range of $20 -$80 million) of Australian and New Zealand domiciled companies with revenues of $50 - $750 million. The firm has recently announced the finalisation of its first deal where it funded the locally based M Group of Companies acquisition of the Swedish multinational engineering group Sandvik’s global drill manufacturing business.
Co-founder Mukhtader Mohammed said the Arbitrium deal pipeline had reached $500 million, with some of the debt transactions now in advanced due diligence.
Mr Handbury commented that “The timing of the fund has been well conceived as we enter into unchartered waters with this amount of government debt and seemingly, inaction by the banks on any corporate bad debt issues. I remember well when the banks, in the past, have unilaterally decided not to lend funds in a certain sector based on a specific rationale leaving the borrower high-and-dry. This may happen again and the void filled by non-bank lenders like Arbitrium”.
He went further to add “It’s been good to team up with some familiar faces with much more experience in this aspect of the financial market than me plus with the steady hand of Ray as the Arbitrium chairman. I’ve been happy to invest and become an Advisory Board member to assist the team where I can, as they grow the fund and complete more deals”.
Paddy Handbury is one of Australia’s prominent landowners and pastoralist having a long history of living and working in rural and regional Australia for nearly 40 years. He owns prime pastoral properties in Victoria and South Australia and was one of Australia’s pioneers to export live wagyu cattle to the Japanese market.
Paddy remains strongly involved in rural Australia, serving as a Director of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal. He also has a deep commitment to education, serving as Chair of Geelong Grammar Council and on the Geelong Grammar Foundation.
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Kristin Westlake | kwestlake@thecontinuumpartners.com | +61 416 219 358