Hermes Investment Management has appointed Aviva Investors’ head of European retail funds Philip Nell as fund director.
Based in London, Nell will report to chief executive Chris Taylor when he joins on 20 July.
He will work on building strategic partnerships and joint venture, as well as being fund manager for the UK Private Rental Sector Fund, which aims to invest in developments on behalf of institutions, in partnership with Countrywide.
Taylor said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Philip to Hermes. Philip’s wealth of knowledge and 20-plus years of industry experience will play an integral role in further growing our real estate business.”
Aviva has also appointed Mike Luscombe as lead manager of the Aviva Investors Property Trust to replace Nell. Luscombe will report to Ben Stirling.
Luscombe has worked at Aviva Investors for nearly 27 years and has managed the Aviva Linked Property Fund for the past 15 years.
Stirling said: “Mike is able to draw on strong resources from both asset managers across the UK real estate team and a dedicated research function. This is supported by a robust and tested investment governance process. I am confident that this places the fund in a strong position to continue to capitalise for clients on the opportunities in the UK real estate marketplace.”
