Top level moves at a pair of Singapore-listed cross-border trusts lead Mingtiandi’s collection of personnel changes from around Asia as Manulife US REIT and ARA US Hospitality REIT announce new appointments. Goldman Sachs also makes the list with a senior addition to its Mumbai real estate team and Singapore has welcomed another Hong Kong departee.
The manager of Manulife US REIT announced last week that William “Tripp” Gantt has been appointed as its new chief executive, effective 6 May. Now 52, Gantt takes over the top role at the Singapore-listed commercial real estate trust as Jillian Smith retires from her leadership of the REIT. Formerly an assistant senior investment officer with the Washington State Investment Board, Gantt joined Manulife US REIT in February of this year as deputy CEO.
The manager of ARA US Hospitality Trust said on 29 April that it has appointed Marilyn Tan as deputy chief executive and head of investor relations with effect from 1 May. Now 44, Tan has been with ARA Asset Management, the manager’s parent organisation, since 2006 and in her new duties will support the chief executive in executing strategy, particularly in communicating with investors and other stakeholders.
Ruchita Maniar has joined Goldman Sachs as an executive director in Mumbai, according to a LinkedIn update, as the company continues to build out its real estate investment capacity in its asset management division. Maniar signed up with the investment bank after nearly three years with KKR in Mumbai, where she had served most recently as a director. The Mumbai University graduate also has experience with Edelweiss Financial Services and Cerestra Advisors.
Ingrid Neill has joined Regal Funds Management in Singapore this month as Head of International Distribution, according to a LinkedIn update. Neill joined the Australian investment manager after nearly three years with the investor relations team at Phoenix Property Investors in Hong Kong. The University of Wollongong graduate also has previous experience with Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets in Hong Kong and had worked in the city since 2007.
Debra Ma has been promoted to development director with Lendlease in Singapore, according to a LinkedIn update. A member of the Australian firm’s development team since 2014, Ma looks after all elements of the development cycle for the builder of Singapore’s Paya Lebar Quarter, including managing origination, conversion, delivery and exit for both greenfield and brownfield projects across multiple assets classes.
Tom Zhang has taken on a new role as director of investment with CBC Group in Shanghai, according to a LinkedIn update. Zhang is joining Asia’s largest healthcare-dedicated private equity firm in its Shanghai headquarters after just one year with the fund management division at GLP in the city. The MIT and Washington University graduate also has previous experience with ADIA, Bank of China Group Investment and China Vanke.
CBRE announced last week that it has promoted Alan Lok to vice chairman of the offices services unit of its advisory and transactions services division for its Hong Kong office. Lok has more than 25 years of experience in Hong Kong’s office market, where he has represented numerous multinational clients in securing new premises. His promotion was one of a flurry of upgrades announced around the region by the property consultancy during the first week in May.
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.
Leave a Reply