Hong-Kong listed Link REIT has announced the appointment of BlackRock’s former Asia Pacific real estate head John Saunders as group chief investment officer (CIO) in the newly created role.

Saunders, who will assume the position from March 4 next year, will be responsible for Link’s overall investment strategies, portfolio management and the strategic development of Link’s investment business. He will report to George Hongchoy, Link’s CEO.

He has over 30 years of experience in the property industry with a strong investment track record, most recently at BlackRock where he also served as global head of the real estate client business.

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He joined BlackRock through its merger with MGPA in 2013 when he was the firm’s CEO of Asia and the portfolio manager of their Asian Property Funds series. Before joining MGPA, he worked for CLSA between 1999 and 2007, running their regional property research effort and was instrumental in starting their Asian Property Fund in which he served as an investment committee member.

Before that, he worked at Hongkong Land from 1994 to 1998 where he was involved with the development and leasing of several landmark projects in Singapore and other Asian countries.

"We are delighted to welcome John, who brings with him a wealth of experience and industry know-how, to the Link family. The appointment will enhance the scope and capacity of our management team and will strengthen our capability as we search for new growth avenues and sustainable returns for unitholders under the Link 3.0 strategy," says Hongchoy.

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