While news reports have been filled with stories of global executives leaving Hong Kong, we lead our weekly roundup of people moves this week with a European fund manager sending one of its top executives into the city where no hamster is safe.
Also in this week’s update, we have some top level moves at Singapore’s Chip Eng Seng, a new role for Hines’ longest-tenured executive in the region, and a fresh hire at Cushman & Wakefield’s Vietnam operation.
The Netherlands’ APG Asset Management has expanded its real estate investment team in Asia Pacific by relocating Patrick Kanters, managing director for global real assets with the pension fund manager to its Hong Kong office. Kanters, who has been with APG since 2005 and also chairs industry non-profilt INREV, will continue to over APG’s global private real estate investment activities from his new base in Hong Kong, while also supporting the asset manager’s exploration into opening a Southeast Asia office in Singapore, according to an APG representative. The news of Kanter’s relocation, which comes as the firm broadens its investments in sectors including data centres, rental residential and logistics, was first reported by PERE and confirmed independently by Mingtiandi.
Singapore-listed builder Chip Eng Seng has promoted Kenny Yong Shan Siong to chief financial officer just over four months after the former SEA Ltd executive joined the firm, according to an announcement to the Singapore exchange. Yong’s promotion comes as Chip Eng Seng branches out from its roots in construction and real estate development into new industries, including education and infrastructure, with former CFO Law Cheong Yan shifting to become chief corporate officer and chief operating officer of the group’s education division.
Hines announced this past week that company veteran James Morrison has taken on the new role of head of environmental, social and governance for the company’s rapidly expanding Asia Pacific division. Morrison’s new position comes after Hines had appointed Peter Epping as global head of ESG in June last year. Continuing to be based in Shanghai, Morrison has now been with the real estate investment and development firm since 1987, and had previously led Hines’ China business since 1997.
Former JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group executive Corey Hamabata has joined Hong Kong-based multi-family office Rockpool Capital as managing director, with the remit of leading the firm’s real estate investment practice. A key component of Hamabata’s new duties will involve setting up a specialised hospitality real estate investment platform after the Cornell University graduate spent 11 years with JLL’s hospitality advisory division, including serving the last four years as a senior vice president based in Hong Kong.
Mimi Lee has been promoted to deputy city head for Hong Kong at The Executive Centre, according to a LinkedIn update. Lee, who has been with the flexible office provider for more than five years, takes her latest step up after spending more than two years as a director of business development with The Executive Centre. The University of Hong Kong graduate also has previous experience with Wheelock Properties and at the Hong Kong Arts Centre.
Engineering consultancy Aurecon has hired Alton Chow as its new head of Greater China, based in Hong Kong, according to a company statement this month. Chow joins the Aussie firm after spending more than seven years at competitor AECOM, where he served most recently as vice president for global commercial development and Asia architecture. Trained as an architect, Chow also has previous experience at Woods Bagot, Gensler and Wilson Associates in Shanghai.
Stephen Higgins has joined Cushman & Wakefield as the firm’s head of capital markets for Vietnam, according to a LinkedIn update. Higgins comes aboard at the property consultancy after a decade at competitor JLL, where he had served most recently as a director with the capital markets team, based in Ho Chi Minh City. Higgins has now been in Vietnam since 2016 after joining JLL in Sydney in 2012.
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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