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

Hong-Kong listed Link REIT has recently introduced the appointment of BlackRock’s former Asia Pacific property chief John Saunders as team chief investment officer (CIO) in the recently created duty.

He signed up with BlackRock with its merger with MGPA in 2013 when he was the firm’s CEO of Asia and the account executive of their Asian Property Funds series. Prior to signing up with MGPA, he helped CLSA between 1999 and 2007, running their local real estate research study attempt and was useful in beginning their Asian Property Fund by which he served as a financial investment board member.

“We are happy to invite John, who carries with him a wide range of knowledge and industry experience, to the Link family group. The appointment will boost the range and capability of our managing team and will certainly reinforce our capability as we search for brand-new progress channels and lasting returns for unitholders under the Link 3.0 strategy,” says Hongchoy.

He has over 30 years of knowledge in the property industry with a strong investment track record, most just recently at BlackRock where he at the same time served as international head of the property consumer service.

One Bernam MCC Land and HY Realty

Saunders, that is going to assume the position from March 4 following year, will be responsible for Link’s overall investment approaches, profile administration and the critical growth of Link’s financial investment business. He will inform to George Hongchoy, Link’s chief executive officer.

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

Long before that, he operated at Hongkong Land from 1994 to 1998 where he was engaged with the development and leasing of numerous site ventures in Singapore and many other Asian states.