A set of Singapore moves lead this week’s review of personnel changes from around Asia, with a Keppel-sponsored REIT bidding farewell to its chair and an SGX-listed developer naming a new boss for its UK business.
The manager of Prime US REIT informed the Singapore stock exchange on 25 February that Annie Koh would be stepping down from her role as board chairperson and independent non-executive director of the Singapore-listed trust of US office properties from 28 February. Now 71, Koh had led the REIT jointly sponsored by California-based KBS Realty Group and Keppel Capital since 2019.
Ho Bee Land announced to the SGX on 26 February that it has appointed Federico Bianchi as chief executive officer of Ho Bee Land (UK) Ltd with effect from 3 March. Now 50, Bianchi has served most recently as a senior advisor to BentalGreenOak after earlier spending five years as head of asset management for Europe with Starwood Capital Group. In a separate announcement that same day, Ho Bee said that Ong Chong Hua will be retiring as executive director and chief operating officer of the company with effect from 28 April.
Embassy Services Private Limited on 19 February announced the promotion of Saarang Ganapathi to chief executive officer of the property management arm of India’s Embassy Group. Ganapathi’s step-up comes after he had served as chief operating officer of the company since December 2023, after first joining the firm in 2018. Ganapathi also has previous experience as a manager with local developer SILA Group.
On 20 February the manager of SGX-listed CDL Hospitality Trusts notified the bourse that it has appointed Eng Chin Chin as an independent, non-executive director on its board. Eng took on her new duties one day later. The former audit partner with KPMG in Singapore also last month joined the board of Keppel Infrastructure Trust, with the two appointments taking effect on the same day.
The manager of Japan’s Daiwa Office Investment Corporation announced on 27 February that it has decided to appoint Jun Abe as director, replacing Yuji Shinotsuka who will be retiring from his roles as vice president and representative director as of 31 March. Abe will take on his new responsibilities from 1 April after first joining Daiwa Real Estate Asset Management in 2013. Most recently he has served as deputy general manager of acquisition and asset management and head of the portfolio strategy department since April of last year. Abe will also replace Shinotsuka as a director on the board of Daiwa Securities Living Investment Corporation.
Peter Dooley has been named director of project and construction management at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, according to a LinkedIn update, as the casino complex undertakes an expansion programme. Dooley moved back to Singapore from Australia last month to take on the job, following roles at Australian First Construction Group, Deicorp, St Hilliers and others. He had worked at the Marina Bay Sands as senior construction manager from 2007 through 2011.
JLL said on 28 February that it has appointed Trang Le as its new country head for Vietnam, effective from 1 March. Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Le takes on the leadership position after previously serving as head of research and consulting for JLL in the country. The graduate of Australia’s Monash University has now been with JLL for eight years and also has previous experience with CBRE and PWC.
JLL said on 24 February that it has appointed Irina Chadsey as vice president of investment sales for Asia, based in Singapore. Chadsey is returning to JLL after more than four years with martial arts promoter One as senior director for brand partnerships and global strategic key accounts. In her new role she is responsible for hotel sales and advisory in Southeast Asia, with an initial focus on Singapore, according to a statement.
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