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

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

“We are happy to invite John, who carries with him a wide range of knowledge and market proficiency, to the Link family. The appointment will certainly boost the scope and capacity of our managing group and will strengthen our ability as we search for new growth avenues and lasting returns for unitholders beneath the Link 3.0 method,” claims Hongchoy.

He joined BlackRock with its merger with MGPA in 2013 when he was the firm’s chief executive officer of Asia and the profile executive of their Asian Property Funds set. Prior to signing up with MGPA, he helped CLSA in between 1999 and 2007, managing their local real estate research initiative and was instrumental in beginning their Asian Real estate Fund in which he worked as a financial investment committee affiliate.

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

He has more than thirty years of expertise in the real estate market with a strong financial investment record, most recently at BlackRock where he also served as worldwide head of the real estate client service.

Lentor Hills Residences condominium

Prior to that, he worked at Hongkong Land from 1994 to 1998 where he was involved with the property and leasing of a number of site projects in Singapore and other Asian countries.

Saunders, who will assume the place from March 4 following year, will be accountable for Link’s general financial investment strategies, profile management and the critical project of Link’s investment business. He is going to report to George Hongchoy, Link’s president.