AXA Investment Managers–Real Assets has promoted Laurent Jacquemin to replace Frank Khoo as head of Asia-Pacific, and has also hired a new head of European transactions.

Khoo, who has been with the company since 2008, departed following the decision to relocate the Asia-Pacific hub from Singapore to Tokyo.

In a statement last September, AXA IM–RA said that due to “opportunities we are seeing in the market”, it has made the decision to relocate its four-person Asia-Pacific hub, adding that, “reflecting his desire to remain in Singapore, Frank Khoo has decided to leave the company”.

The company said the relocation will enable it to better leverage its presence in the region and meet clients’ needs.

AXA Investment Managers, the parent company of AXA IM–RA, has had an office in Singapore since 1990 and will remain committed to the market, it said.

The asset manager has hired John O’Driscoll as European head of transactions to replace Jacquemin. Both appointments are expected to be effective by 1 January 2018.

Based in Tokyo, Jacquemin will be responsible for all of AXA IM–RA’s operations in Asia-Pacific, including investment, asset management and capital raising from offices in Japan, South Korea and Australia.

O’Driscoll will be based in London and will oversee the sourcing, selection and execution of acquisitions. He joins from global real estate adviser JLL, where he has been CEO of corporate finance and head of mergers and acquisitions for the EMEA region since 2014.