[ASK2020] Direct Lending (or Private Credit) in Asia

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated businesses across Credit, Private Equity and Real Estate. Ares Management’s investment groups collaborate to deliver innovative investment solutions and consistent and attractive investment returns for fund investors throughout market cycles. Ares Management's global platform had approximately $165 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2020 with approximately 1,400 employees operating across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, pro forma for the acquisition of SSG Capital Holdings Limited which closed on July 1, 2020.

[Speakers' Biography]

Edwin is a Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ares SSG and a member of the Management Committee of Ares Management. He oversees investment activities, strategic matters and business operations of Ares SSG. Prior to joining Ares in 2020, he founded SSG Capital Management in 2009 and served as its Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, leading credit and special situations investments across Asia-Pacific. Previously, he was a Managing Director at Lehman Brothers in Hong Kong from 1997 to 2008, where he led Asia Special Situations Group. Edwin holds a BBA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Manchester Business School and the University of Wales.

Mr. Kim is a Partner and Head of Asia Relationship Management in the Ares Relationship Management Group and is a member of the Management Committee of Ares Management. Prior to joining Ares in 2009, Mr. Kim was a Vice President and Director of Global Structured Syndication at JP Morgan and Bear Stearns, where he focused on originating, structuring and marketing various types of alternative investment and structured credit products to Asia ex-Japan investor clients. Previously, Mr. Kim was a Vice President at Merrill Lynch, where he focused on global structured credit products in Hong Kong and Tokyo. In addition, Mr. Kim was an Investment Analyst at Samsung Life Insurance Company. Mr. Kim holds a B.A. from Korea University in Business Administration.