DWS Appoints Matthias Naumann as CIO Real Estate, Asia Pacific

DWS today announced that Matthias Naumann has been appointed to the position as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Real Estate for Asia Pacific based in Sydney relocating from DWS’ Frankfurt headquarters. Matthias will report to Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, APAC (based in Singapore). It marks DWS’ first ‘on the ground’ real estate CIO signaling the platform’s growth aspirations.

Matthias joined DWS in 2013 as the Head of European Real Estate Strategy. Since 2019 he has served as the CIO of the European Real Estate platform which currently holds more than EUR 31 billion in real estate assets under management. Since January 2021, he has covered APAC as the real estate CIO in a caretaker capacity alongside his European responsibilities. In this time, he has spent significant time in the region whilst also chairing the APAC Real Estate Investment Committee and holding positions on both the Europe & APAC Real Estate Leadership Teams. Prior, Matthias served as a senior analyst at AXA Investment Managers, London and for Invesco Real Estate GmbH in Munich.

In his new role, Matthias will be responsible for identifying real estate investment opportunities across Asia Pacific where DWS already has an established presence in Australia, Korea, Japan and Singapore working with the respective country heads, as well as exploring new markets for strategic growth. He will continue to contribute to the House View processes for both regions and remains Chief Strategist for DWS Real Estate in EMEA, accountable to the Co-Head of DWS’ global real estate platform Clemens Schaefer.

Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, Asia Pacific said: “We are pleased to welcome Matthias as our first dedicated real estate CIO in the region signifying our commitment to growing the platform. Matthias’ substantial track record built with our European real estate platform, combined with his already deep understanding of the APAC investment market makes him an ideal candidate to support the regions sustainable AuM and revenue growth through the upcoming investment cycle.”

Matthias Naumann, CIO Real Estate, Asia Pacific said: “Following extensive time spent in Asia Pacific, the timing was right to relocate equipped with a sound understanding of the region, it’s nuances and unique investment characteristics.” He added: “As a new investment cycle emerges, we believe Australian real estate will offer immediate investment opportunities in BTR, Logistics and Next Generation Office, while we continue to test pricing to re-enter strategic segments of the Japanese and Korean markets very soon.”

Clemens Schaefer, Global Head of Real Estate, APAC & EMEA said: “I am proud of DWS Real Estate’s deep investment heritage in Asia Pacific spanning decades and am confident Matthias’ extensive knowledge and proven ability as a real estate CIO with our European business will further strengthen our Asia Pacific platform working with Chris and our regional teams.”

About DWS Real Estate

DWS has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternative platform, the real estate business has nearly 350 employees in over 20 cities around the world and almost EUR 76 billion in global real estate assets under management (December 31, 2023). Providing a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, we offer core, value-added and opportunistic real estate, real estate debt and real estate securities. The real estate investment business employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver attractive long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, retirement plans, and private clients worldwide.

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 941bn of assets under management (as of 31 March 2024) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,600 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future.