People on the Move – 13 September 2017

Mantra’s chief Bob East takes on Tourism Australia, Charter Hall appoints Matthew Brown as fund manager, and AVID Property Group pushes into the apartment market with the appointment of Spiro Prevezanos.

Mantra chief executive officer Bob East (pictured) has been appointed chairman of Tourism Australia. East, who replaces Tony South, currently runs 128 hotels and serviced apartments under various brands including Mantra, BreakFree and Peppers. Mantra recently acquired the Art Series Hotel Group, which will add another seven hotels and more than 1,000 rooms to its portfolio. Announcing the appointment, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said East would provide “great leadership for Tourism Australia”.

Charter Hall Group has appointed Matthew Brown as fund manager of its $3.5 billion wholesale Charter Hall Prime Office Fund. Brown was most recently senior vice president for GIC Real Estate, and was responsible for GIC’s portfolio and strategy in Asia.

AVID Property Group is about to push into the apartment market, with the appointment of a national acquisitions manager. Former Crown Group national business development director, Spiro Prevezanos joins the development company after having worked for Stockland in New South Wales.

Knight Frank has launched a new residential investments division in Australia, to be led by current director of site sales in NSW, Tim Holtsbaum. The new team will focus on the ‘build-to-rent’ asset class.

CBRE’s new executive managing director, head of asset services for Asia Pacific, Craig Hudleston will have oversight for the asset services business line in 15 markets in the Asia Pacific. Hudleston will transition to this position from his current role as chief operating officer of CBRE Japan.