Blue Sky Funds Management has appointed Jane Prior, former international Nabarro associate, as its commercial manager – a newly created role, which will further reinforce the firm’s stringent corporate governance approach.
Prior will provide in-house counsel for the development of Blue Sky’s fund offering and advise on a range of commercial opportunities in Blue Sky’s private equity and real estate divisions.
Blue Sky has grown rapidly in the past few years by developing high-performing and innovative alternative investment products for private clients, financial planners and institutions.
The firm now has USD200m in funds under management across private equity, private real estate, hedge funds and water assets.
Blue Sky managing director Mark Sowerby believes Prior was the ideal candidate for the role. “Prior is an experienced commercial manager whose extensive international fund management experience will be a key driver in our future success,” says Sowerby.
“She will play a leading role in the development of our corporate governance and compliance strategy as we work towards corporatising the business and preparing for future growth opportunities.”
While based in London at Nabarro LLP, Prior advised on a number of fund transactions as well as a range of joint venture capital, private equity mergers and acquisition arrangements. High profile clients include The Co-Operative Group, ING, Aviva Investors and Mars group.
Previous to this, she worked at Brisbane based, McCullough Robertson Lawyers for two years as a solicitor in a Corporate Advisory capacity (Mergers and Acquisitions and Intellectual Property).
While completing her graduate diploma in legal practice, Prior also worked as an Associate at the Supreme Court of Queensland. She has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Queensland and officially became a practicing solicitor in 2005.
Blue Sky Funds Management has a number of successful funds currently open to investors and are likely to launch more in the next twelve months.
