Asia Real Estate People in the News 2021-05-24

This week’s collection of personnel moves around Asia’s real estate world includes a new CEO for the only listed trust of mainland outlet malls, a new global real estate investment boss at one of Canada’s largest insurers and veteran broker taking the step up to managing director in Southeast Asia’s wealthiest city.

Singapore-listed Sasseur REIT has appointed Cecilia Tan Hong Lye as its new CEO, according to an announcement to the Singapore stock exchange on 21 May. Tan will assume the top executive spot with the mainland China outlet mall trust on 1 August, and is scheduled to become CEO-designate on 1 July. Tan, who previously had spent a few years with Pacific Star Group, is an independent director of Roxy-Pacific Holdings and has served as a strategic advisor to Sasseur chairman Vito Xu since 2019. She is replacing Anthony Ang Meng Huat, who will retire on 31 July.

Canadian insurer Manulife has named Christoph Schumacher as global head of real assets for private markets, according to an announcement by the company this past week. Schumacher, who will be based in Boston, joins Manulife from Credit Suisse Asset Management, and will be responsible for defining the company’s private real assets strategy at the same time that he manages operations and development of investment products globally.

Michael Bowens has been promoted to managing director and head of enterprise market solutions for Asia at Colliers International, according to a company statement. Bowens, who is based in Singapore, takes his latest step up at Colliers after first joining the company in the Lion City in 2011. Most recently, he had been serving as executive director for regional tenant representation with the property consultancy.

Richard Yap has been named as a senior director at Cushman & Wakefield in Singapore, where he serves as head of business valuations for Singapore and Southeast Asia. Yap received his upgrade recently after spending four years with the property services firm as a director. The graduate of Nanyang Technological University also has previous experience with JTC Corporation and appraisal firm Censere.

Thomas Lam has joined CBRE in Hong Kong as senior director and head of property management for the city, according to a LinkedIn update. Lam joins the green team from Savills, where he had spent more than seven years, including working most recently as a senior director with the property management division of the UK firm. The University of Wales graduate also has previous experience with JLL in the city.

Isaac Leo has signed up with ARA Asset Management in Singapore as a manager with the private real estate funds team for Asia Pacific. Leo took on his new role with the Warburg Pincus-backed fund manager after spending more than six years with SC Capital Partners in the city, after first joining Suchad Chiaranussati’s real estate fund manager as an intern in 2015. Most recently, Leo had worked as a director at SC Capital.

Christopher Lee has moved up to regional director of operations with the integrated facilities management team at JLL Asia Pacific, according to a LinkedIn update. Based in Singapore, Lee has been with JLL since 2007, and was promoted from senior director after more than two and a half years in that role. In his latest position Lee serves as the Asia Pacific operation lead for systems, applications and account processes.

If you know of other Asia real estate professionals changing their jobs, getting promoted or just doing something exciting, please contact us here at Mingtiandi.