John Laing : strengthens its strategic focus with the recruitment of new Group MD for Strategy & Partnerships

John Laing Group plc ('John Laing' or 'the Group'), the international originator, active investor and manager of infrastructure projects, is delighted to announce the appointment of Salim Bensmail to the role of Group Managing Director for Strategy & Partnerships. He will also join the Group's Executive Committee.

Salim has over two decades of experience working as a senior civil servant in France and has been directly involved in infrastructure policy and projects for 12 years.

Over the last four years, he was the Managing Director of the French Treasury's Infrastructure Finance and PPP Unit, responsible for advising French public sector entities on the structuring of infrastructure projects. Prior to that, Salim held various positions at the City of Paris, including Deputy Chief Financial Officer in charge of Concessions & PPPs and Director for Economic Development. He has been involved in a wide range of infrastructure projects, across energy, transport, urban public services and social infrastructure. Salim also has significant experience in the finance sector and was part of the Group Corporate Development and Strategy team at BNP Paribas.

Salim brings to John Laing a deep understanding of the dynamics of infrastructure public policy, both in Europe and at an international level. He chaired the OECD ('Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development') Network of Senior PPP and Infrastructure Officials and was a member of the EIB ('European Investment Bank') European PPP Expertise Centre (EPEC) Steering Committee.

Olivier Brousse, Chief Executive Officer of John Laing Group, said: 'Salim's arrival illustrates our increasingly global footprint, and demonstrates our determination as an infrastructure investor to proactively engage with the key stakeholders in the infrastructure market, including public decision makers. Salim will focus on identifying and prioritising the Group's medium and long-term growth opportunities across geographies, bringing new ideas and relationships and contributing to our innovative edge and added value as a private investor in new infrastructure projects.'

Salim Bensmail said of his appointment: 'John Laing is one of the few active investors in the greenfield infrastructure space, with the resources, experience and expertise to structure and lead major projects around the world. There aren't many opportunities to work in such a demanding and rewarding environment. I greatly look forward to working with the Group's teams around the world, and helping to develop our relationships with existing and new partners.'