HSBC Asset Management announced the appointment of a direct real estate investment team in Singapore as part of the firm's strategy to build out its alternatives business.
An HSBC news release Wednesday said Victoria Sharpe joined the firm on Sept. 1 as managing principal and head of real estate, Asia-Pacific — responsible for building out the firm's real estate business across the region.
Ms. Sharpe comes to HSBC from DWS in Singapore, where she served as that firm's head of real estate for Asia-Pacific.
Christopher Kimm, CEO of DWS' Korea business as well as head of the firm's Korea real estate business, will take on the role of head of Asia-Pacific real estate as well, said a Singapore-based spokesman for DWS.
In addition, the HSBC news release said James Bartlett, formerly real estate deputy CIO for Asia-Pacific with DWS as well as the firm's head of real estate, Australia, joined HSBC on Aug. 2 as a managing principal on the firm's new real estate team, reporting to Ms. Sharpe.
Lionel Low, formerly an executive director with Ascendas Asia Real Estate Fund Management, likewise joined the team as a managing principal on Aug. 2. A spokeswoman for Ascendas couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
The news release noted that in June, HSBC Asset Management "brought together all of its existing alternatives capabilities under a single business unit, HSBC Alternatives, with a 150-strong team and combined assets under management and advice of $45 billion."
