Specialist healthcare property investor and developer Assura has appointed Steven Noble to the newly created role of chief investment officer to support the business’s short and long-term growth strategy.

Noble will be responsible for implementing Assura’s investment strategy across all healthcare markets, including delivery of capital recycling initiatives.

Noble was most recently chief investment officer at Atrato Group, the investment adviser to Atrato Onsite Energy and Supermarket Income REIT, where he negotiated and executed more than £2 billion of property transactions and played an important role in taking Supermarket Income REIT from IPO to the FTSE 250. Prior roles include nine years at Lloyds in origination and risk management with a focus on commercial real estate and KPMG where he qualified as a chartered accountant.

Assura’s chief executive Jonathan Murphy said: “Steven’s appointment to the newly created role of Chief Investment Officer is an important strategic step for Assura to support our ambitious growth plans. The UK healthcare crisis continues to worsen with an immense need for improved access to healthcare services across the country. These factors are driving demand for infrastructure across an increasingly diverse range of healthcare markets, to which Assura is best placed to respond owning to our market position, sector expertise and capabilities and our strong corporate culture. Steven’s skills and expertise will complement those already within the executive committee to deliver against this demand and our long-term growth strategy.”

Noble commented: “I’m delighted to be joining Assura at such an exciting time, with the business strategically positioned to capture the significant growth opportunities across broader healthcare markets. The business’ recent acquisition of 14 private hospitals and its JV with USS are a clear indication of the group’s ambition and I am incredibly excited to be part of Assura’s next stage of growth. I look forward to working as part of an exceptionally skilled and experienced team at the UK’s leading listed healthcare property investor.”