Link Asset Management Limited (Link), the manager of Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT, stock code: 823), has announced that John Saunders will assume the role of Group Chief Investment Officer starting from March 4, 2024. In this capacity, Saunders will be responsible for overseeing the investment activities and strategies of the group, contributing to the continued growth and success of Link in managing real estate investments.
In his newly established position, Mr. Saunders will assume the key responsibilities of shaping Link's overarching investment strategies, managing the portfolio, and driving the strategic evolution of Link's investment business. Reporting directly to George Hongchoy, Link's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Saunders will play a pivotal role in steering the investment initiatives of the organization.
Bringing over three decades of profound expertise in the real estate sector, Mr. Saunders has built an impressive investment track record. His most recent role was at BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, where he served as the Head of Asia Pacific Real Estate and held the position of Global Head of the Real Estate Client business. Mr. Saunders played a crucial role within BlackRock, sitting on the Real Estate Global Executive Committee and actively participating as a voting member of the Real Estate Global Investment Committee. Notably, he served as the sole Portfolio Manager for the Asia Value Add Fund Series and also took on the role of Portfolio Manager for BlackRock's Asia Core Fund I (Asian Spezialfond).
His association with BlackRock commenced with the merger with MGPA in 2013, where he served as the Chief Executive Officer of Asia and acted as the Portfolio Manager for their Asian Property Funds series. Prior to this, Mr. Saunders contributed significantly to CLSA between 1999 and 2007, leading their regional property research effort and playing a key role in initiating their Asian Property Fund, where he served as an investment committee member. Earlier in his career, from 1994 to 1998, he worked at Hongkong Land, contributing to the development and leasing of landmark projects in Singapore and various other Asian countries.
Source: Link
