Patrick Sumner — the head of Henderson Global Investors’ property equities team since 2004 and the executive in charge of setting up its European, Asian and Global strategies — is to retire this summer.
Commenting on his June departure, Sumner said: “Having been at Henderson for 17 years, launched and grown our property equities franchise and seen it through a full and, at times, turbulent cycle, it is time to hand over to the next generation. This is also an opportunity, before it is too late, to fulfil some long-held personal ambitions.”
HGI has confirmed Guy Barnard and Tim Gibson will be taking over as co-heads of the equities team. Barnard, who joined Henderson in 2006, is based in London and is manager of the Henderson Horizon Pan European Property Equities fund. He is also co-manager of the Henderson Horizon Global Property Equities fund.
Gibson, who has been with the company for three years, is based in Singapore and manages the Henderson Horizon Asia Pacific Property Equities fund. Until 2011 he worked for AMP Capital Brookfield and Morgan Stanley.
The investment group has also appointed Nicolas Scherf as portfolio manager in London and Xin Yan Low as an analyst on the property equity team in Singapore. They will both start during the second half of 2014.
Elsewhere, corporate services provider Crestbridge has expanded its Jersey team that administers global real estate structures. Simon Todd has joined the division as a director and Erin McBride as a manager.
With over 28 years of property experience within financing and holding structures in the UK and Europe, Todd was previously director and head of the offshore real estate finance team of a major offshore bank and, before that, employed in the corporate services department of a national property consultancy. He is also a chartered surveyor and corporate member of the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation.
McBride is a New Zealand-qualified lawyer with almost a decade of experience in property and finances. Her new post will include the administration of Crestbridge clients’ portfolios. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
“We have seen a real spike in demand for quality real-estate administration services through Jersey recently, particularly relating to investment in high value residential and commercial property,” said Christopher Bennett, managing director and head of Crestbridge Real Estate. “As a result, we are expanding our real estate services team and I am delighted that Simon and Erin, who have proven expertise have joined us.
Property specialist Richard Bowater has joined the commercial department of Trowbridge-based law firm BLB Solicitors. After gaining experience with several West Wiltshire firms, he specialises in commercial property acquisitions and disposals, as well as high value residential property transactions.
Graduate surveyor Laura Wilbourn has joined the 16-strong staff at the Manchester office of commercial property landlord Hurstwood Holdings. Previously at Altus Edwin Hill where she was a property researcher, she has experience in negotiating lettings, advising clients on business rates liability and environmental surveying.
Story: Cliff Goodwin
Photo: Neil Bird
