GLOBAL - Towers Watson, Mercer, First State Investments, Jones Land LaSalle, Grosvenor, Monday Properties, LNR Partners, PRUPIM

Towers Watson - Peter Lewis has joined Towers Watson as head of its US real estate investment manager research team. Lewis, who will be based in New York, will lead a team of five researchers that analyse US real estate investment strategies. He joins from Liberty Mutual Group, where he was a senior investment officer directing the real estate portfolio.

Mercer - The consultancy's Investment Consulting business has appointed Matthew Abbott as a senior researcher in its real estate team. Abbott will also be a member of Mercer's wider manager research team, researching existing and new managers, developing intellectual capital and advising clients on real estate investment strategy and manager selection.

First State Investments - The asset manager has appointed Philippe Taillardat as co-head of infrastructure investment management for Europe together with Danny Latham. He will also work alongside Niall Mills, who is head of infrastructure asset management, and Marcus Ayre, head of infrastructure transactions. Taillardat will report to Christine O'Reilly and Perry Clausen, co-heads of the global unlisted infrastructure investment team. Since December 2010, Taillardat has been running his own consultancy business, focusing on financing and investment solutions in the unlisted infrastructure investment sector.

Jones Lang LaSalle - Frank Pörschke will join JLL as chief executive for Germany on 1 January 2012. Pörschke will succeed Andreas Quint, who, after three years as chief executive, will move into an EMEA regional role as head of the firm's corporate finance division, which operates out of London and Frankfurt. Pörschke, who is currently international director for the firm, was until 31 August the chairman of the management board of Eurohypo.

Grosvenor Fund Management - Giles Wintle joins Grosvenor Fund Management as deputy managing director for Continental Europe. Wintle, who will be based in Paris, joins from GIC Real Estate, where he oversaw investment activity in France, Italy, the Nordics, CEE and Russia. He will work alongside James Raynor, managing director for Continental Europe and chief investment officer at Grosvenor Fund Management, and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the business in Continental Europe.

Monday Properties - Jonathan Geanakos has joined Monday Properties as executive vice-president in its New York office. He will join the executive management team and lead the firm's efforts to develop new investment opportunities and strategic relationships with capital partners. Geanakos will report to Anthony Westreich, president, as well as Brian Robin, chief operating officer. Prior to joining Monday Properties, Geanakos was managing director in Houlihan Lokey's New York office and co-head of its real estate lodging and leisure Group.

LNR Partners - LNR, part of the group owning Hatfield Philips, has appointed Derek Rich as its new director of investment management and business development. Rich will report to Matthias Schlueter, COO and managing director. and assist in the expansion of LNR's loan and asset services platform across Europe. Prior to moving to Europe, Rich worked for Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs in New York, focused on CMBS loan origination and syndication.

PRUPIM - Henri Vuong, senior analyst for property research at Prupim, is leaving the firm to pursue other interests. Prior to joining Prupim, Vuong was vice-chair at the Society of Property Researchers.

Topics