Oxford Properties Group has appointed Dean Hopkins as global COO to help push tech innovation, the company said today as it announced a series of organisational changes to simplify its leadership structure.

Hopkins most recently served as the CEO of Canadian tech hub OneEleven.

Prior to that, he spent 12 years leading global transformation programs for information firm Thomson Reuters.

The C$60bn (€40.76bn) property arm of Canadian pension fund OMERS said Hopkins’ appointment as COO brings tech experience to its leadership team as the company adopts a “digital-first strategy in its approach to property, facility and asset management”.

As part of a number of organisational changes, Jo McNamara has become managing director, head of Europe and David Matheson has taken on the role of managing director, head of Asia Pacific and will continue to lead investment and development activity in both Europe and Asia Pacific.

Eric Plesman and Chad Remis have been appointed executive vice presidents to lead the company’s North American business.

In Europe, Henry Shearer has been appointed head of UK to head up office and retail across the region. James Boadle has been appointed head of UK to lead residential and logistics across the region.

Abigail Shapiro, and Pierre Leocadio will head Germany and France respectively. In Asia Pacific, Alec Harper has been appointed head of Australia.

Michael Turner, president of Oxford Properties, said: “This new structure is all about creating a scalable and agile business as we continue on our journey of global growth.

“These organisational changes simplify our leadership structure and align it to our growth strategy. Over the past year, we’ve entered into new markets, increased our diversification across both geographies and asset classes and built a platform that now spans four continents.”