LaSalle Investment Management today announced that Andy Watson, International Director in the Paris office, has taken a newly created role as Head of Core Funds and Separate Accounts, Continental Europe.

The position, effective from 1 January, is a key pillar in the realignment of LaSalle’s European business. Andy will have responsibility both for the company’s existing core funds and separate accounts under management and for growing future business where he is liaising closely with the Global Client Services team in raising capital for new funds.

Andy has been a key member of LaSalle's senior management team in Continental Europe since he joined in 2004. In the newly reorganised business he is a member of the European Management Board and reporting to Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, recently appointed Managing Director of Europe.

Simon Marrison, Head of Europe, comments: "We are seeing a clear trend of core capital looking at Greater Europe as a single region, focusing on the Big Three markets of the UK, France and Germany. With strong teams in these three countries and 235 staff across Europe, this is one of LaSalle's competitive advantages. Andy is trilingual and has worked in real estate in the UK, Germany and France, with on-the-ground experience in the office sector in Germany as well as in retail property across the Continent, where he has lived for almost 20 years. He is a good example of the depth and breadth of experience appreciated by our clients and we are pleased he is stepping up to this new position."

Watson said: "LaSalle is very well positioned across Europe to take advantage of the recovery, and this is an exciting time to take on such a role.  We are looking forward to significant growth on this side of the business over the next couple of years. "

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