Alasdair Evans, chief operating officer of Hermes Real Estate, has been appointed group finance director of the Investment Property Databank (IPD). He replaces Kelly Smith who is leaving IPD at the end of October after five years' service.

Alasdair Evans, chief operating officer of Hermes Real Estate, has been appointed group finance director of the Investment Property Databank (IPD). He replaces Kelly Smith who is leaving IPD at the end of October after five years' service.

Evans' role will include the further commercialisation of the business and development of the relationship with the company’s institutional shareholder base to support global expansion. He will pursue strategic alliances and joint ventures to achieve growth at IPD.

Evans said: 'Having been involved with IPD from the shareholder side since the restructuring in 2005, I am delighted to now be making a fuller contribution. IPD has established a strong and mature business in Europe over the past five years, and plans to replicate this success in all major property investment markets globally. This will be good for clients who will benefit from IPD’s global reach. I am excited to be part of IPD’s future.'