Asia Real Estate People in the News 2022-02-21

An evergreen boss at one of China’s largest developers leads this week’s collection of personnel moves from around the region, as Shanghai’s biggest builder gives its boss another four years at the helm. There are also fresh hires at Hines and Schroders and promotions at Blackstone, Natixis, ESR and JLL.

Greenland Holdings announced this past week that its founder and chairman, Zhang Yuliang, has been reappointed to the company’s top role for a fresh term at the age of 66. Shanghai-listed Greenland Group is more than 46 percent controlled by state-run enterprises based in Shanghai, placing Zhang among the rare executives in China’s state sector to extend his tenure deep into his sixties. Zhang’s previous appointment as chairman in 2018, came when he was 62, with his current tenure set to run for another four years.

Blackstone’s head of Greater China real estate, Justin Wai, has been promoted to senior managing director at the private equity fund manager, according to a LinkedIn update. Wai revealed his step up from managing director this past week after having been named head of the Manhattan-based giant’s real estate operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China from 1 January. The Cornell University graduate has now been with Blackstone since 2007.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking announced earlier this month that it has appointed Bertrand Guiot as head of real assets and investment banking for Southeast Asia and head of infrastructure funds coverage for Asia Pacific. Guiot took on his new role in Singapore from 1 January after more than two years as senior country manager for the investment bank’s Canadian operations. The veteran finance executive also previously spent more than two years with Natixis in Hong Kong.

Shed specialist Michael de Jong-Douglas has taken on a new role as group head for customer solutions and partnerships with the logistics division of ESR, according to a LinkedIn update. De Jong-Douglas is now responsible for coordinating customer solutions and partnerships across the ESR Logistics platform, including the company’s Future Solutions Group and development of new markets. The upgrade for the 25-year veteran of the warehouse world follows ESR’s recent acquisition of Singapore’s ARA Asset Management and its Logos logistics unit.

Hines is continuing to expand its Asia Pacific team with the Houston-based developer and fund manager having brought on board former Langham Hospitality Group executive Vivienne Gan as vice president of marketing and communications for the region, according to a LinkedIn update. Gan took on her role in Hong Kong last month after more than nine years with Langham, where she served most recently as vice president of global communications.

UK asset management heavyweight Schroders announced this past week that it has hired Andrew Haskins as head of strategy and investor advisory for Schroders Capital real estate Asia Pacific. Haskins takes on the Hong Kong-based role after nearly six years at Colliers, where he had served most recently as head of strategic advisory and business valuation for Asia at Colliers. With more than 33 years experience, Haskins also has held roles with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities, Nomura International and HSBC.

JLL announced on 16 February that it has appointed Oliver Tong as general manager for its Macau business, with the appointment taking effect from 1 March. Tong, who has been serving as head of retail for Hong Kong and Macau at the property agency since January 2020, is replacing current Macau GM Gregory Ku, who is moving into an executive consultant role where he will be tasked with driving business and relationships with major clients after first joining JLL in 1996.

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.