Patrick Meutermans has joined European real estate investment group AEW Europe as head of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Patrick Meutermans has joined European real estate investment group AEW Europe as head of Belgium and the Netherlands.

His appointment, AEW said, reflects the investor's growing presence in the Belgian and Dutch markets. It also follows the joint acquisition by AEW and China's CIC of the Celsius Portfolio in July from CBRE Global Investors for €1.3 bn.

Celsius includes a 50% interest in the Wijnegem shopping centre and 100% ownership of the Waasland retail centre, two of the largest shopping centres in Belgium with 70,000 m2 and 33,000 m2 of GLA respectively.

Meutermans will be responsible for spearheading the development of AEW Europe's business in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as managing its €1 bn portfolio of existing Dutch and Belgian assets.

The firm has undergone significant expansion in recent months, including the opening of a new office in Frankfurt.

Prior to joining AEW Europe, Meutermans was country manager and member of the European management and retail boards of CBRE Global Investors. In particular, he was responsible for the management of €1.5 bn of assets which included the two Belgian assets within the Celsius portfolio.