DWS strengthens Asia Pacific real estate team with senior appointments
DWS today announced Junghoon (Phil) Kook has been appointed Head of Real Estate, Korea; and Leiting Deng has been appointed Head of Real Estate, Singapore. Based in Seoul and Singapore respectively, both positions report to Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, Asia Pacific.
Phil Kook joined DWS in 2021 and has 18 years of industry experience. Since joining DWS, he has led the transactions team in Korea helping to grow DWS’s real estate footprint locally. As head of the Korean real estate platform, he will join DWS Korea’s Board of Directors and will continue to spearhead the local transactions team as well as expand our footprint to new sectors. Prior to joining DWS, Phil was the Head of Real Estate and Structured Finance Division at Shinhan Asset Management where he led both overseas and domestic investments as well as capital raising. During his three and a half-year tenure at Shinhan, he established a total of nine funds, accumulating approximately US$ 1.5 billion in value.
Leiting Deng joined DWS in 2013 and has more than 16 years of real estate experience. Her expanded role will see her continue as a portfolio manager for the Asian funds business in addition to overseeing the growth of the Singapore real estate platform. Previously, she covered the Australian and Chinese markets in transactions and asset management. Prior to joining DWS, Leiting was the portfolio manager of a real estate core fund at LaSalle Investment Management, and an investment and asset management analyst in CapitaMall Trust (now CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust).
Junghoon (Phil) Kook, Head of Real Estate, Korea said: “It is a great privilege to lead the Korean real estate platform at DWS. Our strategic focus will remain on servicing our international and Korean institutional clients through our asset management expertise in key regions, as well as broadening our strategies as we move higher up in the risk spectrum to pursue opportunities across different segments of the capital stack.”
Leiting Deng, Head of Real Estate, Singapore added: “I am thrilled to take on this newly created position at DWS. Singapore remains a key investment market for international investors, given its stable and transparent investment environment. The platform will continue to seek opportunities across relevant sectors for our investors.”
Christopher Kimm, Head of Real Estate, Asia Pacific at DWS said: “In leading DWS’ largest real estate footprint in Asia Pacific, I am confident that Phil’s depth of experience and established networks will benefit our reputation as a major real estate player in Korea. Leiting’s local knowledge combined with investment expertise across key real estate disciplines will be critical in growing our AUM in Singapore.”
“DWS maintains growth aspirations in the region through co-investment and separate account mandate opportunities, along with our existing European and Asia funds business,” he concluded.
Vanessa Wang, Head of DWS, Asia Pacific said: “DWS’ real estate business in Asia Pacific has a deep heritage built over 26 years in the region. Our direct platform along with our REITS capabilities, provides a holistic and complementary offering to global investors. With continued demand for real estate assets among investors, our experience and knowledge in local countries offer access and advice to those who wish to tap into the growth opportunities in Asia Pacific.
Both appointments follow the appointment of George Anastasiou as Head of Real Estate Australia, in August 2022.