Former BlackRock and Lendlease senior staff member Tom Lee has taken the role, effective from 3 May. He will be responsible for KKR’s real estate platform across Australia and New Zealand and will play a role in expanding KKR’s real estate strategies across the Asia region.
Mr Lee will also join the KKR Asia real estate investment committee.
“Tom’s proven real estate track record and global industry experience make him the perfect fit to lead our Australia and New Zealand real estate team,” John Pattar, head of Asia Pacific real estate at KKR said.
“Tom has a unique skill set as an investor, operator and platform builder. The recent close of our Asia Real Estate Fund significantly expands KKR’s position as a leading alternative capital provider across asset classes, and we furthermore look forward to working with Tom to also establish a pan-Asian core and core-plus real estate strategy to meet the demand for high-quality real estate throughout the region.”
Scott Bookmyer, head of KKR Australia added: “Australia and New Zealand’s real estate markets are being reshaped and modernised.
“Tom’s addition to our senior team opens up new and exciting ways for KKR to participate constructively in this evolution.”
Mr Lee was most recently chief executive of LOGOS, a logistics real estate investment manager with operations across the Asia Pacific. Prior to that, Mr Lee held senior roles at BlackRock, MGPA and Lendlease in Asia, Europe, US and Australia.
“I look forward to working alongside John, Scott and the firm’s talented investment professionals as we carry out KKR’s strategy in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia Pacific,” Mr Lee commented.
His appointment is the latest addition to KKR’s Australia team across business strategies.
Recent senior appointments include Ben Hall as managing director and head of credit, Nicholas Hyde as managing director of the client and partner group, Michael Robson as managing director of KKR Capstone, and Andrew Jennings as director of KKR’s infrastructure business in the market.
