LaSalle Investment Management (“LaSalle”) continues its focus on Asia as one of the foremost real estate investors in the region, with the hiring of Mike Smith as Director of Client Services, Asia Pacific, to be based in Singapore.  Smith’s appointment comes at a time when LaSalle’s regional operation is seeing exponential growth, with 133 staff and USD$6.2 billion in assets under management and substantial additional committed capital to invest.  

Mr. Smith joins LaSalle from Skandia Investment Management Ltd where he led institutional and international sales for the company’s multi-manager and single strategy mutual funds.  Prior to Skandia, Mr. Smith worked at Gartmore Investment Management and HSBC Asset Management.  His experience and in-depth knowledge of LaSalle’s investment space will be integral in supporting the company’s global client services team where he will be responsible for raising capital from and within Asia Pacific for investment in LaSalle’s suite of direct real estate and global securities funds.

Celia Jennings, LaSalle’s Head of Global Client Services, said, “With LaSalle’s business in the region expanding, and strong property fundamentals and continued investment opportunities, our platform for supporting company activity also grows.  We are delighted to consistently attract the level of talent Mike brings to the table in Asia, where he will support our integrated global client services team and our strong operations in the region.”