ARG Capital

A global luxury hotel focused private equity firm focused on generating premium returns for investors

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Our Business

We are focused on generating premium returns to our clients and investors through investing in new build and turnaround/repositioning strategies in the luxury hotel space.

Our investment strategy is based on minimizing risk through investing into high quality real estate assets in proven locations in conjunction with leading global hotel operators, while at the same time maximizing returns by investing into new build or turnaround/repositioning projects with strong upside in terms of capital appreciation and ongoing cash yield.

We work with some of the leading hotel groups in the world to operate iconic hotels and drive performance through a global booking engine and stringent quality criteria designed to maximize profitability. We typically target overall returns of around 3x or more over a 5 year period while providing a range of different solutions for our investors based on their preferences.

An extensive portfolio of luxury assets throughout SE Asia and Australia

ARG Capital has successfully developed numerous projects in the region including luxury hotels, and commercial and residential projects

We partner with some of the world’s leading brands

The 3rd party project team includes construction support through Siam LBS part of the Thai public listed group Siam Steel International, PKF the International Accountants, BECA International Engineers and RHLB International Quantity Surveyors. Property valuations have currently been prepared by Colliers International who are one of a number national and international real-estate agents globally selling the properties.

Investment Options

We provide a range of investment options on behalf of our clients and investors

Private Equity

Private equity investments via specialized fund and SPV structures providing access to a diversified portfolio of luxury hotel and commercial assets

Fixed Income

A range of fixed income investments collateralized by real estate assets and corporate guarantees

Hotels

Direct investment into a range of luxury hotel assets either on a fractional, single asset or portfolio basis

Commercial Assets

Direct investment into a range of commercial real estate assets either on a fractional, single asset or portfolio basis

Our current development, Nebu Residences in the news

Who we are

We are a group of highly experienced hotel investors, operators and developers

Team

Michael Ayling

CEO
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Paul Gardiner

CFO
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Kuan Chiet

Corporate Governance
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Dr. Supareak Charlie Chomchan

Group Founding Partner
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Adam Palin

Co-founder ARG Capital
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Marc Tanner

Group Founding Partner
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Contact us

If you’d like to find out more about our unique range of investment products and real estate projects, please get in touch below

Get In Touch

Siri Place, Praditmanuthum Rd.
Tareang, Bangkhen
Bangkok, Thailand

+66 (0) 2 943 6080
contactus@argcapital.io
argcapital.io

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Michael Ayling

  • Career spanning 3 continents in disciplines of finance and general management in hotels, hospitality, tourist facilities and property development sectors.
  • Currently CEO of NuoBello Group, with specific roles regarding hotel management, marina development and management, business plans, and feasibilities for hotels, residential and mixed-use developments. NuoBello also has the largest accounting firm in Phuket performing the full range of corportate services to our clients and its subsidiary PKF NuoBello, is a PKF member firm.
  • Previously CEO of Blue Tree Phuket a mixed-use water and entertainment park, retail and dining. Opened in Q4 2019, and at peak employing 450 staff.
  • Executive Director and former Managing Director of Royal Phuket Marina, Thailand’s most awarded marina and heavily involved in design and development of future phase to include 2 hotels and a water park. Continues as a Non-Executive Director.
  • Prior to NuoBello, Michael was Managing Director of Laguna Resorts & Hotels, Plc, a listed company in Thailand and subsidiary of Banyan Tree Holdings.  Responsible of overseeing 8 hotels in 2 different locations, 2 golf courses, property development, construction, marketing and sales operations, vacation ownership program, estate management and rental pool operations, central facilities management, CSR and sustainability programs and corporate governance.
  • Executive Director for Laguna Vietnam Limited, a Fund developing Laguna Langco an integrated resort in Central Vietnam.  Established Property Sales operation and the design, development and construction of the Nick Faldo Championship golf course.
  • Significant involvement in successful IPO of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited (“BTHL”) on Singapore Stock Exchange in 2006 and member of the BTHL Executive Committee.
  • Prior to joining Laguna Resorts & Hotels, Plc, he enjoyed over 10 year in professional service industry with accounting firm, KPMG.  After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in Oxford, England, he transferred to KPMG Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea (6 years) where he had a wide range of clients covering industries such as oil and gas, banking, airline and agriculture.  He then transferred to KPMG Sydney Australia office (3 years) managing the Paramatta Audit Division and had numerous audit clients and transaction service assignments such as due diligence reporting and IPOs.  Michael holds a BA (Hons) Degree in accounting and Finance and is a member of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Kuan Chiet

Corporate Affairs, Investor Relations & Strategic Advisor

Kuan Chiet is a seasoned corporate executive with more than 20 years of experience in corporate affairs, investor relations, finance, and executive leadership across publicly listed companies and multinational organizations in Thailand and Singapore. He has held Chief Financial Officer and Board positions with companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX), working closely with Boards of Directors, institutional investors, regulators, and senior management on strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, financing, regulatory compliance, and business transformation.

He is the Founder and CEO of Wise IR, an independent advisory firm specializing in investor relations and strategic communications. Through Wise IR, he advises listed and growth-stage companies on investor communications, fundraising support, ESG positioning, and shareholder engagement.

Kuan Chiet also brings extensive experience in the hospitality and property development sectors, including strategic planning, investment evaluation, property development projects, and hospitality property fund initiatives. His experience includes working with financial advisers, institutional investors, banks, and regulators on strategic transactions, financing initiatives, and investment-related projects.


He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the National University of Singapore, completed the MBA Essentials Program at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is a graduate of the Director Certification Program (DCP) of the Thai Institute of Directors.

Dr. Supareak Chomchan

Dr. Chomchan is a professional engineer licensed in Thailand with business degrees and has owned an engineering and construction company with 20 years of experience in governmental reinforced concrete building construction, turnkey engineering and construction in manufacturing sector, and residential development.

In the Government sector, Dr. Chomchan won numerous contracts from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Health, and Royal Thai Police. Meanwhile in the manufacturing sector, he was awarded contracts from a Swiss animal dietary manufacturer, French dry mortar manufacturer, German gypsum board manufacturer, and American aerospace component manufacturer. For residential projects, resort type developments are his expertise.

On the social side, he also participates as Advisor at Board of Trade of Thailand, Vice Chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT) and Secretary General/Director of Plus Foundation. With his network and understanding of the legal framework of doing business in Thailand he is well placed to help support Nebu Resorts through AZURE RICH GROUP’s business opportunity and footprint in the new market.

Mr. Adam Leon John Palin

Mr. Palin is a Founder of ARG Capital.

Mr. Palin is an investment and private equity professional with a particular focus on structuring investments into hotel and real estate developments and turnaround/repositioning projects in conjunction with institutional investors, family offices and high net worth individuals.

He has experience of leading transactions with a cumulative value of over US$10 billion, including some of the world’s most high-profile hotel transactions.

Mr. Palin also has extensive experience of initial public offerings and other forms of equity capital market transactions and has worked on several major stock exchanges worldwide, including the New York Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

He has also worked extensively with leading investment banks and private equity groups such as Salomon Brothers, OMERS, Kingdom, and Colony Capital.

Major Hotel Transactions

  • US$5.5 billion merger between Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Raffles of Singapore, creating one of the world’s largest luxury hotel groups, including the iconic Fairmont and Raffles brands and landmark hotels such as Raffles Singapore, The Plaza New York, The Fairmont San Francisco, and The Savoy London.
  • US$3.9 billion buyout of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts by Colony Capital and Kingdom, including the successful defense against a hostile takeover by Carl Icahn and the company’s privatization from the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange.
  • US$1.5 billion acquisition of a luxury hotel portfolio in Canada by OMERS through Oxford Properties, including Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, and Fairmont Royal York.

Mr. Palin holds a BA and MA from Cambridge University and is fluent in English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, and Swedish.

Marc Tanner

GROUP FOUNDING PARTNER, DESIGN  PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Marc graduated Auckland University with a Bachelor degree in Architecture, after moving to Australia he founded the International Design and Project Management group Greenarc. Over 20 years in practice the group has had 6 offices across 4 countries including, Australia, England, Thailand and Myanmar, with projects across these countries and more.

Marc is a founding partner of Azure Rich Group, who oversees the groups projects globally in the areas of, product vision, business development, development management and design. Marc is still a registered architect in Australia and is involved in art, both of which feed into his influence within the group’s projects.