Changes in Singapore and Tokyo lead this week’s review of personnel moves from around the region, with DWS upgrading executives at the same time that a pair of Japanese REITs name new directors.
DWS Group has promoted Heidi Sum to global head of product specialists with the liquid real assets unit of the company’s alternatives division, according to a LinkedIn update. Based in Singapore, Sum’s upgrade is in addition to the duties which she took on four years ago as head of product with the investment manager. Sum’s promotion was announced during the same week that DWS named Sharon Tan as head of Singapore.
The manager of NTT UD REIT announced on 26 March that its board has resolved to appoint Yasutake Horinouchi as president and chief executive officer of the Tokyo-listed real estate investment trust with effect from 1 April. Having first joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the sponsor of NTT UD REIT, in 1989, Horinouchi has been serving as general manager of the corporate strategy department and head of the business strategy office with NTT Urban Solutions since June of last year and is replacing Yutaka Torigoe, who retired as of 31 March.
The manager of Tokyo-listed One REIT said on 1 April that it has appointed Toshiaki Nakayama as a director on its board with effect from the same day. Nakayama first joined Fuji Bank, the predecessor of One REIT’s sponsor Mizuho Bank, in 1998 and has served as deputy general manager with the real estate finance department of Mizuho since 2018. Nakayama was also appointed this month to join the real estate business coordination department of Mizuho Trust and Banking.
The manager of Far East Hospitality Trust notified the Singapore stock exchange on 2 April that Wee Kheng Jin will be stepping down from the firm’s board of managers on 30 April as part of the renewal process of the board. Now 71, Wee has held his role as non-executive chairman on the board of the Singapore-listed REIT since January 2011 and has been with Far East Hospitality Trust’s sponsor Far East Organisation since 2000.
Kenny Ou has been promoted to managing director for global real estate and global corporate banking with OCBC in Singapore, according to a LinkedIn update. Leading a team of relationship managers who cover asset classes in Asia Pacific, the UK and the US, the National University of Singapore graduate received his promotion this month after more than two years as an executive director with the same division at the banking heavyweight, where he has worked for more than seven years.
Link Real Estate Investment Trust notified the Hong Kong stock exchange on 31 March that Blair Chilton Pickerill was retiring from his role an independent, non-executive director on its board with effect from that same date. With Pickerill having served as chair of the REIT’s remuneration committee, independent, non-executive director Christopher John Brooke will take over responsibility for the group.
Indian property consultancy Anarock announced on 4 April that it has hired Varun Malik as managing director and head of capital markets for Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. In his new role the former MSCI executive will be leading the firm’s capital markets initiatives across Asia Pacific, after having spent more than a year as head of business development with Singapore-based Varsity Group Asia Pacific. Malik also has previous experience with MUFG and Standard Chartered Bank.
Li Bai has been promoted to head of asset management with Daiwa House Asset Management Asia, according to a LinkedIn update. Li took on her new role this month after more than four years as a manager with Singapore-listed Daiwa House Logistics Trust. The graduate of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology also has experience with Daiwa House Industry and CFLD International.
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.
Note: This story has been updated to show that Heidi Sum’s new role as global head of product specialists with DWS is in addition to her previously existing duties. Mingtiandi regrets any misunderstanding.
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