Karim Habra, LaSalle Investment Management’s head of continental Europe, is joining Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec’s real estate arm in Europe.

Ivanhoé Cambridge said Habra will head the region and will be responsible for the platform and its future growth.

Habra, who begins his role in July, will be based in the company’s European headquarters in Paris.

Daniel Fournier, chairman and chief executive officer of Ivanhoé Cambridge, said: “Building on the strength of his extensive real estate experience across all of Europe, Karim will leverage his network and leadership skills to help us achieve our ambitious European strategies as well as manage our current operations.

“We have full confidence in Karim to accelerate Ivanhoé Cambridge’s growth throughout Europe, invest in new markets and develop new strategic partnerships.”

Habra joined LaSalle in 2012 as managing director of Central Europe before serving as managing director of France. Last November, he was appointed to the newly created role of head of continental Europe.

He began his career with GE Real Estate in 1998 and later joined JER Partners in 2008 as a managing director for European funds.