Leading this week’s roundup of people moves, a top hospitality exec has joined Hyatt Hotels to lead the brand’s growth in Greater China. An asset management pro is taking the helm at a newly formed Singaporean investment firm, and CBRE is welcoming a new head of advisory and transaction services in Hong Kong. And Wanda is replacing its top dog at AMC Entertainment. Read on for all these updates and more from Asia’s real estate community.
Stephen Ho has been appointed President for Greater China, Global Operations with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, the Chicago-based company announced. Effective April 16, Ho will be responsible for the growth and operations of Hyatt’s hotel network in the Greater China region, as well as talent development, owner relations, and Hyatt’s China outbound strategy. Prior to joining Hyatt, the native of Singapore and permanent Hong Kong resident served as CEO for the Greater China Region at Marriott International, and from 2012 to 2016, Ho was Asia Pacific President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Joe Kwan has taken the reins as Managing Director of Seven Investment and Asset Management this month. Kwan focusses on investment and portfolio management at the newly created, Singapore-based firm that aims to optimise the value of real estate. He was previously Head of Singapore with London-based property developer Chelsfield for nearly two years, prior to which he worked as Portfolio Manager – Asia/Global Direct Real Estate at UBS Global Asset Management. Kwan, who holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Nottingham, joined the company as Head of Research and Strategy for Asia Pacific Real Estate in 2011.
Lawrence Wan has joined CBRE as Head of Advisory & Transaction Services – Retail, Hong Kong, where the more than 15-year retail leasing veteran will lead the brokerage’s expanding team. Wan succeeds Joe Lin, Executive Director, who will step back from day-to-management of the team to focus on strengthening CBRE’s retail client services. Prior to joining the company, Wan served as Group Property Manager with Dickson International Concepts Limited, overseeing a 300,000 square foot real estate portfolio across Greater China. He has also worked for Seibu Enterprise and JLL’s Retail team.
George Tan has been promoted to Executive Director of Savills Residential, after serving as Senior Director of the residential project marketing arm of Savills Singapore. Tan has worked at the international brokerage for 12 years. “Under George’s leadership, Savills Residential has seen a steady growth in profit and portfolio despite challenging market conditions,” commented Marcus Loo, managing director of Savills Singapore in a statement. Savills Residential is currently marketing the upcoming launch of UOL Group’s 139-unit, freehold Amber 45 project, slated for the second quarter.
Zeng (John) Maojun has been unanimously elected as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of AMC Entertainment, North America’s leading cinema chain, according to a statement. Zeng succeeds Lincoln Zhang, who resigned as chairman of the firm owned by Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group last week and has taken on a new senior position within the group. Zeng, who has been on the AMB board since February 2016, also serves as President of Wanda Film Group, in which role he is Wanda’s senior-most executive in charge of all firm-related businesses, including Wanda Films, Wanda Cinemas and the Qingdao Movie Metropolis in China
Kanishk Bhatia is now Head of Infrastructure Investment, Asia for ARA Asset Management, based in Singapore. In his role at the real estate fund manager, Bhatia is responsible for the origination, execution and management of investments across Asia. Prior to joining ARA, Bhatia held senior roles at leading infrastructure investment manager Hastings Fund Management for over 11 years, including Investment Director, Head of Asia Investments and Head of India, working in various offices including London, Mumbai, Singapore and Sydney. The infrastructure investment and asset management maven has also worked as a management consultant at LEK Consulting in Chicago and London.
Kristen Gosper joins CBRE as Head of Marketing, Pacific, based in Sydney. In the new role, she will lead all aspects of marketing in Australia and New Zealand, working closely with the Pacific leadership team to drive the business and brand agenda to all audiences. Gosper jumps to CBRE from rival brokerage JLL, where she worked in Singapore and Sydney, most recently holding the role of Marketing and Communications Director for the Investor Services. She has also worked for Cushman & Wakefield, Westpac Group, and Coca-Cola Amatil.
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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