Company Overview

Ares Management Corporation is a global alternative investment manager operating across the credit, private equity, real assets, and secondary solutions markets. The firm provides capital to companies, asset owners, and investors through a wide range of commingled funds, separately managed accounts, and publicly traded vehicles. Ares primarily generates revenue through management fees tied to assets under management and performance-based incentive income. Its clients include institutional investors such as public and private pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, endowments, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals.

Founded in 1997, Ares was established to focus on credit investing at a time when traditional banks were reducing lending activity. Over time, the firm expanded its platform into private equity and real assets, positioning itself as a diversified alternatives manager with an integrated investment approach. Ares Management Corporation completed its initial public offering in 2014 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker ARES. The firm is recognized for its scale, long-term investor relationships, and integration with the Ares Management Credit Group, Ares Private Equity Group, Ares Real Assets Group, and Ares Secondaries Group.

Business Operations

Ares operates through four primary business segments: Credit, Private Equity, Real Assets, and Secondaries. The Credit segment is the largest contributor to assets under management and focuses on direct lending, leveraged finance, distressed debt, structured credit, and liquid credit strategies. The Private Equity segment invests in middle-market companies, with a focus on control-oriented buyouts and growth equity across select industries. The Real Assets segment concentrates on infrastructure, energy, and real estate investments, while the Secondaries segment provides liquidity solutions through secondary fund interests and structured transactions.

The firm manages capital globally through a combination of closed-end funds, open-end vehicles, business development companies, and permanent capital entities. Ares has a long-standing strategic partnership with Ares Capital Corporation, a publicly traded business development company, which is externally managed by an Ares affiliate and represents a significant platform for middle-market lending. The company’s operations are supported by centralized risk management, legal, compliance, and investor relations functions, enabling scale across strategies and geographies.

Strategic Position & Investments

Ares’ strategic direction centers on expanding its global credit platform, growing capital solutions for insurance companies, and scaling real assets and secondaries strategies. The firm has consistently invested in expanding origination capabilities, sector specialization, and long-duration capital vehicles to enhance fee stability. Ares has also emphasized partnerships with insurance balance sheets, allowing it to manage large pools of permanent capital aligned with its credit expertise.

Major acquisitions have played a role in Ares’ growth, most notably the acquisition of Black Creek Group, which expanded its real estate equity and debt capabilities, and AMP Capital’s infrastructure debt platform, strengthening its real assets and infrastructure presence. The firm continues to invest in data-driven credit underwriting, asset-based finance, and infrastructure-related opportunities, reflecting its focus on capital-intensive sectors with long-term secular demand.

Geographic Footprint

Ares Management Corporation is headquartered in North America, with its principal executive offices in Los Angeles, California. The firm maintains a significant presence across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, operating offices in major financial centers to support local origination and portfolio management. This global footprint enables Ares to deploy capital across developed and select emerging markets.

The firm’s international operations support cross-border investments in corporate credit, private equity, infrastructure, and energy assets. Ares’ geographic diversification allows it to serve a global investor base while sourcing investment opportunities across multiple economic cycles and regulatory environments, reinforcing its position as a global alternative asset manager.

Leadership & Governance

Ares was co-founded by Bennett Rosenthal, David Kaplan, and John Kissick, whose vision emphasized disciplined credit investing and long-term partnerships. The firm’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration across investment groups, rigorous risk management, and alignment of interests with investors through significant employee ownership.

Key executives include:

• Michael J. Arougheti – Chief Executive Officer
• David B. Kaplan – Co-Founder and Co-Chairman
• Bennett Rosenthal – Co-Founder and Co-Chairman
• John H. Kissick – Co-Founder and Partner
• Kipp deVeer – Partner and Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group
• Jim Miller – Partner and Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group
• Antony Ressler – Executive Chairman

The leadership team emphasizes long-term strategic growth, disciplined investment processes, and governance practices aligned with public company standards and regulatory requirements.