Mapletree’s Michael Smith has been named chief executive of Hongkong Land, replacing Robert Wong.
He will take the reins of London-listed developer with effect from 1 April 2024.
Hongkong Land, part of Jardine Matheson Group, owns and manages more than 8m sq ft of prime office and luxury retail assets in key Asian cities, principally Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Jakarta.
Smith is currently regional CEO for Europe and the US at Mapletree Investments, the Singapore-based global real estate development, investment, capital and property management company with more than $55bn of assets under management.
He has been with Mapletree for the past seven years, before which he was a partner at Goldman Sachs.
Hongkong Land chair Ben Keswick said: “Michael brings a proven track record in real estate investment and capital allocation. He has grown organisations by being an inspirational and caring people leader. Building on Hongkong Land’s pre-eminent capabilities, reputation and portfolio, I have every confidence Michael will evolve our business – ensuring we continue to invest, manage and develop prime commercial, retail and mixed-use assets, while at the same time, positioning the group for long-term sustainable growth in China and other key Asian markets.”
Wong has been chief executive of Hongkong Land since 2016, but has been with the company for the past 38 years.
Keswick said: “Robert has been instrumental to the development and execution of Hongkong Land’s mainland China strategy since the early 1990s, [which] will be integral to Hongkong Land’s next phase of growth and value creation.”
Wong will retire as chief executive on 31 March 2024, but will continue as a senior adviser to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Smith plans to relocate to Hong Kong with his wife and children.
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