The growing importance of Japan for the world’s largest fund manager is on display in this week’s review of personnel moves from around Asia Pacific as Apollo Global Management names a Japanese market veteran as its new head of Asia Pacific. Also on our list this week is a pair of new hires at Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund and a new boss for a Hong Kong bank.
Apollo Global Management has named new leadership for its regional business as global private equity giants continue to target Asia’s second-largest economy. The New York-based firm said earlier this month that it has appointed Eiji Ueda, formerly of Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund, as a partner and head of Asia Pacific. Ueda most recently served as chief investment officer for the GPIF and also has previous experience with Goldman Sachs. Ueda succeeds Singapore-based Matthew Michelini who will be moving on to a new role with the firm.
After launching Danantara as its sovereign wealth fund earlier this year, Indonesia is boosting headcount at the $900 billion fund with some help from its neighbours in Singapore. GIC veterans Daniel Lim (pictured), who specialises in private credit and Weihan Wong, who has a background in private equity, have joined Danantara as directors, reporting to managing director of investment Stefanus Ade Hadiwidjaja, according to a Bloomberg report.
Just days after parent firm HSBC proposed its privatisation in a $37 billion deal, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Bank has named a new chief executive. Luanne Lim, formerly head of HSBC’s Hong Kong business, was appointed as chief executive of Hang Seng Bank from 20 October, when she also joined its board as an executive director. Lim takes over from Diana Cesar, who has returned to HSBC as vice chair for Hong Kong.
Johnathan Lee has taken a step up at the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan in Singapore, having been named a principal after nearly four years as an investment associate at the Canadian pension fund manager. The National University of Singapore graduate is involved in direct investments for Asia Pacific with the infrastructure and natural resources division of OTPP’s private equity team, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The manager of Singapore’s Suntec REIT has added a new non-executive director to its board, according to an announcement to the SGX on 24 October. Abdul Jabbar Bin Karam Din, now 56, joins the board of the unit of ESR Group alongside his responsibilities as head of the corporate division of law firm Rajah and Tann Singapore LLP, with the appointment taking effect from the day of the announcement.
Kelvin Wong, head of China real estate at Schroders, has added another title to his resume after being appointed vice chair of the executive committee at the Urban Land Institute’s Asia Pacific chapter, according to an announcement. Wong, who oversees investment, operations and asset management for Schroders in China joined the UK investment management firm in 2020 through its takeover of Hong Kong-based Pamfleet.
CBRE said on 22 October that it has named Natalie Slessor as head of property management for Asia Pacific. Slessor, who currently serves as head of property management for Australia and New Zealand, will take on the newly created position with effect from 1 January, where she will oversee more than 9,000 team members across 15 markets in the region. With Slessor’s promotion, James King will take over leadership of the consultancy’s property management team for Australia and New Zealand.
Liven Communities, an Australian senior living joint venture between Greenfort Capital and Hong Kong’s Gaw Capital Partners, has appointed Andrea Richards as chief executive officer, according to a LinkedIn update. Richards joined the Brisbane-based company after just over two years as chief operating officer with Salter Brothers Hospitality which she joined after it acquired her then-employer Spicers Retreats in 2023.
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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