BMO Real Estate Partners (BMO REP), part of BMO Global Asset Management, has appointed Matthew Howard as director of property funds.
Following the decision by Julian Smith to step down at the end of this year, Howard will assume responsibility for the Royal Sun Alliance Shareholders Fund while also supporting Richard Kirby on the management of BMO REP's flagship vehicle, F&C Commercial Property Trust.
Howard's role will encompass the formulation and implementation of property investment strategies and the execution of transactions and asset management initiatives with the aim of delivering enhanced fund performance.
'Matthew joins us with highly relevant sector experience and a strong track record that will be instrumental as we seek to further enhance the value we offer our clients,' Richard Kirby, BMO Real Estate Partners.
'He joins us at a pivotal time for the business with an exciting pipeline of opportunities on the horizon and we look forward to working with him to deliver continued outperformance over the long-term.'
Howard joins BMO REP from Hermes Investment Management where he spent the past six years. Previous positions encompass real estate asset management and investment roles at DTZ in London and, more recently, Develica.
