At the top of this week’s edition of People in the News, an award-winning hotel designer has joined the hospitality team of the world’s largest design firm in Shanghai, and a fast-growing Thai developer has just hired a residential pro for a top role in its Hong Kong office. Also in our roundup, an asset management executive moves up the ladder at a Hong Kong-listed developer, and a Singaporean proptech startup has taken on board a new VP of Investments. There are some job changes at real estate brokerages too, so read on for all the details.
D B Kim has joined the APAC Hospitality Practice of global design firm Gensler, the designer of Shanghai Tower. Kim will take the role of Director in the firm’s Shanghai office, bringing 25 years of international experience. The award-winning designer has also served as Vice President of Hospitality Design at commercial developer Dalian Wanda Group, where he helped design over 30 projects in China and led the design direction for three new Wanda hotel brands – Reign, Realm and Vista. Kim’s track record also includes working as VP of design for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where he managed the Sheraton, Westin, and W brands, including designing the Westin on the Bund in Shanghai.
Cybill Ho has joined Sansiri PLC as the firm’s Hong Kong-based Country Manager for International Business Development this month, serving as the point of contact at the Hong Kong sales gallery of the Thai residential developer. Ho previously worked at brokerage Savills as Senior Manager in Hong Kong, where she marketed international and Hong Kong projects to investors across Greater China for nearly three years. The graduate of Rutgers University started her career as a residential real estate broker in Manhattan, before joining events services company French Tuesdays in Hong Kong.
Kent Wong has been promoted to Director of Asset Management at Kerry Properties Limited, based in Hong Kong. Wong joined the Hong Kong-listed developer as an assistant marketing manager in 2006 and rose through a succession of Business Development roles before taking the job of Deputy Director – Asset Management in January 2016. Wong is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a master’s degree in finance from the University of Leicester.
Grace Wang
has joined Yuyuan Commercial Development as Deputy General Manager of the Leasing Department this month, based in Shanghai. The company, a subsidiary of listed retail conglomerate Shanghai Yuyuan Tourist Mart, operates a collection of department stores and retail shops in the historic Yuyuan Garden area of Shanghai. Wang previously worked as Deputy Manager of Retail Leasing at Shui On Group’s China Xintiandi and as Senior Manager of Business Development at serviced office provider The Executive Centre, after stints at JLL and HSBC.
Vivienne Zhou Jinmiao
is now Vice President, Investments at Singapore’s FundPlaces, a blockchain-powered online platform for users to invest in global real estate opportunities for as little as $750. The startup, now valued at $1.5 million, brought Zhou on board as a Research Analyst in June 2015. Zhou has also worked as a Research Analyst at REMS Advisors, after studying at the National University of Singapore, the London School of Economics and the University of Stuttgart.
Terry Clarke has jumped to global brokerage Knight Frank Greater China to take the position of Associate Director, based in Shanghai. Clarke previously served as Director at Pinnacle Realtys, a real estate consulting firm in Shanghai for over three years, where he worked with Chinese investors on overseas purchases. The British Isles native also helmed consulting firm RC International Group as Managing Director for nearly eight years in Hong Kong, as well as working at a variety of supply chain management firms.
Matt Shapiro has been promoted to Senior Manager of Retail Tenant Representation, China at global property consultancy Savills. Shapiro has climbed through the ranks of the retail tenant rep team, most recently holding the title of Manager for two years, after joining Savills as an Associate in early 2015. He previously worked at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, where he grew the Small-Medium Enterprise Center and built a trade platform to connect American and Chinese companies. Shapiro graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manao.
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.
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