Balch joins Hypo Real Estate in London
Hypo Real Estate Bank International has appointed Charles Balch to co-ordinate its real estate structured finance and investment banking teams.
Balch formerly worked for Aareal Bank, where he was head of global clients and was responsible for managing the locally-based teams that provide a cross-border service for international clients.
At Hypo Real Estate Bank he will be based in London, reporting to chief executive Harin Thaker.
“Charles will be responsible for helping us to acquire UK and cross- border deals and to assist in expanding the London loan book,” said Thaker. “His origination skills and cross-border deal experience make him ideal for this role.”
Hypo Real Estate Bank International is one of three arms of Hypo Real Estate Holdings, which encompasses the commercial property activities spun off from HypoVereinsbank earlier this year.
GE names new MDs
GE Real Estate has promoted Michael Gerlich and Karim Habra to managing directors within its German and central European operations respectively. Gerlich joined GE in March from Lend Lease Real Estate Investment, where he was responsible for Germany, Austria and central Europe. Habra, who was previously business development associate working from the company’s Prague office, will be responsible for managing central European activities and co-ordinating GE’s entrance into Russia, Slovakia, the Baltic States and Romania. Kendall Young, former managing director of Germany and central Europe, has become European risk leader, based in Paris.
First non-UK equity partner for KF
Frederic Mangeant, Knight Frank’s managing director in Spain, has been made an equity partner as part of a round of promotions at the firm. Mangeant is Knight Frank’s first non-UK equity partner. Other promotions see David Allen of the European commercial valuations team and Simon Warren of the West End offices team become salaried partners. New associates include Laurance Martin (West End offices), Jed Wolfe (investment) and Bryce Hutchison (corporate real estate).
Follows heads IPF research project
Charles Follows has joined the Investment Property Forum (IPF) as research director in a newly created post. He will head a research programme to increase the understanding and efficiency of property as an asset class, funded by organisations in the property industry and IPF Educational Trust, which has committed £750,000 over the next three years. Follows was formerly a director in the research department of CB Richard Ellis, where he was responsible for the forecasting and investment strategy team.
Hazeel takes on new brief at Aareal
Francis Hazeel has been appointed as head of Aareal Bank’s Global Client Group, in addition to his present role as general manager of the bank’s London branch. He succeeds Charles Balch, who has joined Hypo Real Estate Bank International (see main story above). The Global Client Group acts as a single point of contact for international investors and specialises in cross-border and pan-European deals.
Clarke head of property at Hermes
Rupert Clarke has been appointed as head of property at pension fund manager Hermes Investment Management. He will leave his current post as managing director of corporate finance at Jones Lang LaSalle early next year. Clarke succeeds Richard Harrold, who became chief executive of MEPC earlier this year. Nick Mustoe, chief investment officer at Hermes, said: “Rupert brings a wealth of experience from the world of property corporate finance, which I hope will add considerable value to our existing core approach to property fund management.” Hermes has £5.8bn invested in property.
Oudin to asset manage for Catalyst
Eric Oudin has joined Catalyst Capital as asset manager in its newly opened Paris office. He previously worked for ATEMI in the French capital, where he worked on major shopping centre developments before becoming an asset manager for portfolios across France. Catalyst Capital managing director Peter Kasch said: “His expertise in projects throughout Europe complements our investment in this area.”
Aareal fund appoints logistics expert
Dr Aeisso Kern has been appointed head of logistics asset management for the Aareal EuroLogistics Fund. Following an apprenticeship with a bank and a doctorate in logistics at the Technical University Berlin, Kern gained experience with management consultancies for logistics services as well as with logistics companies. Prior to his new appointment he was head of logistics at Schenker Germany.
Chua switches to SEB
SEB Immobilien-Investment has appointed Choy-Soon Chua as head of its investment team in Frankfurt. Chua leaves GIC Real Estate, where he was a senior vice-president.
Lorenz quits JLLGermany
Gert Lorenz is leaving Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) Deutschland at the end of March to pursue other interests. He has been with the company for 16 years, and has spent the past three years at JLL as a member of the management board.
AMB appoints new chief exec
Bernhard Berg has been appointed chief executive at AMB Generali Immobilien in Cologne. He was previously with Aareal Bank, where he headed the asset management division.
Fusari heads FPDSavills’ Rome agency
FPDSavills has appointed Marco Fusari as head of agency at the firm’s Rome office. He previously worked in the commercial division of property consultant Gabetti per I’Impresa, heading its industrial and logistics department.
Please send any People moves to andrea.carpenter@rbi.co.uk
