SYDNEY – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Global investment firm KKR today announced the appointment of Tom Lee as Managing Director and Head of Australia and New Zealand Real Estate effective May 3, 2021. In this role, Mr. Lee will be responsible for KKR’s real estate platform across Australia and New Zealand and will play a key leadership role in expanding KKR’s real estate strategies across the Asia region. He will also join the KKR Asia Real Estate Investment Committee.
“Tom’s proven real estate record and global industry experience make him the perfect choice to lead our real estate team in Australia and New Zealand. Tom has unique skills as an investor, operator and platform builder, ”said John Pattar, Head of Asia Pacific Real Estate at KKR. “The recent closing of our Asia Real Estate Fund significantly expands KKR’s position as a leading alternative investor in all asset classes. We also look forward to working with Tom to also develop a pan-Asian core and core plus real estate strategy to meet the demand for high quality real estate across the region. ”
“We are delighted to have an investment professional of Tom’s caliber on our Australian team,” said Scott Bookmyer, Head of KKR Australia. “The real estate markets in Australia and New Zealand are being redesigned and modernized. Tom’s addition to our senior team opens up new and exciting opportunities for KKR to constructively participate in this development. ”
Mr. Lee was most recently CEO of LOGOS, a logistics real estate investment manager with offices in the Asia-Pacific region. Previously, Mr. Lee held senior positions at BlackRock, MGPA and Lendlease in Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia.
“KKR is one of the most respected real estate investors in the world, and its flexible approach as a solution provider strengthens our role as a partner of choice within real estate and in the broader corporate sector,” said Lee. “I look forward to working with John, Scott and the company’s talented investment professionals as we execute KKR’s strategy in Australia, New Zealand and across the Asia Pacific region.”
KKR’s Asia Pacific real estate platform invests in assets and platforms, leveraging equity and debt in both emerging and developed markets. KKR has deployed more than $ 1.5 billion (A $ 2 billion) of equity in the Asia-Pacific region since 2011 on approximately 20 real estate transactions, including investments in mixed-use commercial, industrial, hotel, office and retail properties.
Australia is an integral part of KKR’s real estate and Asia Pacific investment strategies. KKR has been investing in the Australian market since 2006 and has since invested or tied up more than $ 7 billion (A $ 9 billion) of equity in high profile companies of all asset classes including real estate, private equity and credit. KKR has invested in around 10 properties in Australia and New Zealand since 2014. In the markets, the company is looking for opportunities to reposition and revitalize industrial facilities as well as mixed-use and housing properties in inner-city areas.
The appointment of Mr. Lee is the latest addition to the Australian KKR team in terms of business strategy. Recent senior executives include Ben Hall as Managing Director and Head of Credit, Nicholas Hyde as Managing Director of Client & Partner Group, Michael Robson as Managing Director of KKR Capstone and Andrew Jennings as Director of the KKR Infrastructure business in the market.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm providing alternative asset management, capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR seeks attractive investment returns by adopting a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world class people, and supporting the growth of its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors mutual funds that invest in private equity, loans and real assets, and has strategic partners who manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the leadership of the Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For more information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com and on Twitter at @KKR_Co.
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