Global alternative asset manager Apollo has appointed Bert Crouch as Partner and Head of Real Estate Equity, a strategic move to steer its expansive property investment platform. The appointment comes as the firm integrates its recent acquisition of Bridge Investment Group and positions itself for emerging opportunities in the real estate market.
Crouch will oversee the entirety of Apollo's real estate equity operations, which includes the newly acquired Bridge platform and the firm's existing strategies. This move signals a significant consolidation of leadership within one of the industry's largest real estate businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Bert Crouch has been named Partner and Head of Real Estate Equity at Apollo.
- He will lead the combined real estate equity business, including the recently acquired Bridge Investment Group.
- Crouch joins from Invesco Real Estate, where he served as Head of North America.
- The appointment is part of a leadership transition that sees Robert Morse move to Vice Chairman at Apollo and Jonathan Slager continue as CEO of Bridge.
- Apollo's real estate platform manages over $110 billion in assets under management.
A New Era of Leadership
Bert Crouch brings over two decades of experience in real estate investment and portfolio management to his new role at Apollo. His career has been marked by a focus on high-conviction strategies across both equity and credit, making him a key figure for the firm's ambitious growth plans.
Prior to joining Apollo, Crouch was a prominent leader at Invesco Real Estate. He served as the Head of North America since 2020 and was the Chief Executive Officer of Invesco Commercial Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. from its inception in 2023. His responsibilities also included acting as Lead Portfolio Manager for various opportunistic and credit funds dating back to 2010.
His influence extended across the company, where he was a member of both Invesco Real Estate’s Global Executive Committee and Invesco Private Markets’ Executive Committee. This extensive background provides him with a comprehensive view of the real estate landscape, which will be critical in his new position.
"Joining Apollo at this moment represents a unique opportunity to help lead a scaled, vertically integrated real estate platform with the ability to invest across cycles and deliver for clients in both institutional and wealth channels," Crouch stated.
Integrating a Powerhouse Platform
Crouch's appointment is a pivotal step in Apollo's strategy following its acquisition of Bridge Investment Group earlier this year. The integration of Bridge, a major real estate equity platform, significantly expanded Apollo's operational footprint and investment capabilities.
The new leadership structure is designed to leverage the strengths of both organizations. Jonathan Slager will remain in his position as CEO of Bridge, working closely with Crouch to drive growth. This continuity is expected to ensure a smooth transition and maintain momentum.
Leadership Transition
As part of the changes, Robert Morse, who was the Executive Chairman of Bridge, will transition to a Vice Chairman role at Apollo. In his new capacity, Morse will focus on origination and fostering key corporate and client relationships, leveraging his extensive industry network to benefit the broader Apollo platform.
This combined structure aims to create a cohesive and powerful force in the real estate market. Apollo's real estate platform now boasts over $110 billion of assets under management, with diversified strategies spanning both equity and credit.
Strategic Focus on Market Opportunities
Apollo's leadership expressed confidence that Crouch is the right person to navigate the current market environment. David Sambur, Apollo Partner and Co-Head of Equity, highlighted Crouch's qualifications for the role.
"Bert is an industry veteran with deep investment experience, leadership acumen and a strong track record of driving growth initiatives, and his hiring underscores Apollo’s commitment to support a best-in-class real estate equity business," Sambur said. He added, "I am confident Bert’s leadership will accelerate our ability to execute on our long-term strategy amid improving market fundamentals."
Crouch himself pointed to specific sectors where he sees significant potential for growth. He emphasized that the firm is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends.
"We see clear market opportunities emerging, particularly in sectors where Apollo has strong conviction, including housing, industrial, net lease and other key verticals," Crouch noted. "I look forward to working with the team and our investors to build on this strong foundation and drive the business’ next phase of growth."
Apollo's Scale
As of June 30, 2025, Apollo managed approximately $840 billion in total assets. Its real estate division, with over $110 billion AUM, represents a significant portion of its global operations.
A Unified Vision for Growth
The sentiment from existing leadership at both Apollo and Bridge has been overwhelmingly positive. The move is seen as a reinforcement of the shared vision that prompted the acquisition in the first place.
Robert Morse praised the selection, stating, "Bert is a talented real estate investor and executive who is ideally suited to drive growth in Apollo’s real estate equity business. Bringing on a leader of his caliber speaks to the strength of our combined platform as we position the business for long-term success."
Jonathan Slager, who will work directly with Crouch, echoed this support. "Bridge and Apollo share a deep commitment to performance, innovation and partnership, and with Bert’s addition, we are even better positioned to execute on our strategy, capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver strong outcomes for our investors," he said.
With this new leadership structure in place, Apollo is signaling its intent to be a dominant player in the real estate equity space, leveraging its immense scale and specialized expertise to navigate an evolving market and deliver returns for its diverse client base.
