LaSalle Investment Management this week announced the opening of a new Italian office in Milan. The Milan operation will be headed by Francesco Coviello, who joins LaSalle as head of Acquisitions Italy, reporting to Andy Watson, head of Acquisitions for Southern Europe. Francesco joins LaSalle from Redevco where he was chief acquisition officer for Italy. Prior to this he held the same position at Henderson Global Investors.
LaSalle Investment Management this week announced the opening of a new Italian office in Milan. The Milan operation will be headed by Francesco Coviello, who joins LaSalle as head of Acquisitions Italy, reporting to Andy Watson, head of Acquisitions for Southern Europe. Francesco joins LaSalle from Redevco where he was chief acquisition officer for Italy. Prior to this he held the same position at Henderson Global Investors.
Italy is a strategic location for the LaSalle business, the company said, and the new Milan office represents an opportunity to continue to source deals in the country, particularly in the evolving retail sector where LaSalle has gained valuable experience over the last five years.
From 2009, Italy should also benefit from a thaw in the credit crunch, the company pointed out, with the recently announced decision to hold the 2015 World Expo in Milan set to underpin growth in office development with major infrastructure improvements.
Simon Marrison, co-head Europe at LaSalle Investment Management, said: 'The new Italian office will consolidate our strong interest in the region. Over the last six years, no fewer than six LaSalle managed funds have invested in Italy as a strategic location, and our eight assets under management in Italy cover the country from Gravellona Toce in the north to Naples in the south. With a local office on the ground we aim to deepen our network to source and close transactions for our clients.'
