Salim Bensmail has started his position with the UK firm and will also join the group’s executive committee.
John Laing has confirmed to P3 Bulletin Bensmail will be based in London, with a global remit.
Over the last four years, he was the managing director of the French Treasury’s infrastructure finance and P3 unit, responsible for advising French public sector entities on the structuring of infrastructure projects.
Olivier Brousse, chief executive of John Laing, 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.”
Bensmail held various positions at the City of Paris, including deputy chief financial officer in charge of concessions and P3s, and previously was part of the group corporate development and strategy team at BNP Paribas.
He said: “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.”