A pair of moves at one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds leads this week’s review of personnel changes around Asia, as GIC reshuffles its senior team. Also making the list are promotions at BlackRock and at Malaysia’s Sunway.
Jeffrey Jaensubhakij plans to leave his post as chief investment officer with Singapore’s GIC after nearly 30 years with the sovereign fund, according to a report by Bloomberg this past week. Bryan Yeo, currently deputy chief investment officer, is expected to take over Jaensubhakij’s spot in April, the media report said, citing sources familiar with the subject. GIC had not responded to inquiries from Mingtiandi by the time of publication.
In a separate personnel move reported by PERE last week, GIC is said to have appointed Cai Wenzheng to head of real estate in the Americas. Cai, who has been with the sovereign fund for more than 16 years, currently serves as head of real estate global investments and portfolio strategy, and would be replacing Adam Gallistel, who will take on a new role as co-CEO for CBRE Investment Management from 1 April. GIC has yet to comment on the report of Cai’s new role.
Mascha Ankelmann has been promoted to director of Asia Pacific real estate product strategy and investor relations with BlackRock in Hong Kong, according to a LinkedIn update. Ankelmann, who has now been with BlackRock over eight years, takes on the role with the investment management giant after more than two years as a vice president within the same division.
Malaysia’s Sunway Property announced on 14 January that it has appointed Chung Soo Kiong as its new managing director, to lead growth of the real estate arm of Sunway Group both at home and internationally. Having spent more than 25 years in Malaysia’s real estate industry, and 18 years with Sunway, Chung succeeds Sarena Cheah Yean Tih, who was promoted to executive deputy chairman of Sunway Group in December.
Logos Asia has appointed Ankit Samdariya as managing director for capital and business development, according to a LinkedIn update. Samdariya joined the industrial real estate developer and fund manager as it transitioned from being part of ESR, under the leadership of Logos Group co-founder Trent Trent Iliffe, after spending four years with the Sydney-based company.
Thomas Lam has been promoted to director of asset and portfolio management with New World Development in Hong Kong, according to a LinkedIn update. Lam took on his new role this month more than three years after joining the Hong Kong-listed developer as a general manager within the same division. The University of Sheffield graduate also has previous experience with Knight Frank and Colliers.
Built-environment industry group the Urban Land Institute announced on 14 January that it has hired Terri Seow as executive director for Singapore. Seo joins the ULI from BBC News where she had served as Going Green/Sustainability Lead for Asia for more than three years after earlier working as a vice president with the marketing and insights team for Asia Pacific as part of a 16-year stint with the media organisation.
Colliers announced on 13 January that it has expanded the role of Govinda Singh, currently executive director for hotel and hospitality advisory in Asia, to cover the broader Asia Pacific territory, as well as making the eight-year company veteran lead for its Global Hospitality Practice Group. Based in Singapore, Singh joined Colliers in 2016 from Cushman & Wakefield and also has previous experience with consulting firm BDO in London.
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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