(Sharecast News) - Specialist healthcare property investor and developer Assura said on Monday that it has appointed Steven Noble to the newly-created role of chief investment officer to support the business' short and long-term growth strategy.

Noble will join the company with immediate effect and will be responsible for implementing Assura's investment strategy across all healthcare markets, including delivery of capital recycling initiatives.

He was most recently CIO at Atrato Group, the investment adviser to Atrato Onsite Energy (ROOF) and Supermarket Income REIT (SUPR), where he negotiated and executed over £2bn of property transactions and played an important role in taking SUPR from IPO to the FTSE 250, Assura said.

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 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."