Link REIT appoints former BlackRock Asia Pacific real estate head John Saunders group CIO

Hong-Kong noted Link REIT has recently revealed the appointment of BlackRock’s previous Asia Pacific realty chief John Saunders as group chief investment officer (CIO) in the freshly created role.

Units in Link REIT closed unchanged at HK$ 42.55 ($7.25) on the HKEX on Dec 20.

“We are happy to invite John, who brings with him a wealth of skill and industry capability, to the Link family. The appointment will certainly boost the extent and capacity of our administration group and will certainly strengthen our capability as we search for new progress opportunities and lasting returns for unitholders under the Link 3.0 strategy,” states Hongchoy.

He has more than thirty years of experience in the property industry with a strong financial investment track record, most recently at BlackRock where he also served as global head of the realty consumer business.

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Prior to that, he operated at Hongkong Land from 1994 to 1998 in which he was engaged with the development and leasing of a number of landmark projects in Singapore and many other Asian countries.

He signed up with BlackRock with its merger with MGPA in 2013 the minute he was the firm’s CEO of Asia and the portfolio manager of their Asian Property Funds set. Before taking part in MGPA, he helped CLSA in between 1999 and 2007, operating their local property research study attempt and was useful in commencing their Asian Real estate Fund in which he served as a financial investment board member.

Saunders, who will presume the position from March 4 following year, will be in charge of Link’s overall financial investment techniques, portfolio management and the tactical growth of Link’s investment organization. He is going to report to George Hongchoy, Link’s chief executive officer.