DWS appoints Aleksandra Njagulj as Global Head of ESG for Real Estate

DWS today announced the appointment of Aleksandra (Sasha) Njagulj as Global Head of ESG for Real Estate, in support of its goal to enhance ESG integration across global real estate portfolios.  Based in London, she will report to Todd Henderson, Head of Real Estate, Americas, and Clemens Schaefer, Head of Real Estate, APAC & EMEA.

Njagulj joins DWS as an accomplished ESG expert with over 20 years of practical experience in architectural design, design management and the sustainable built environment. In her previous role with CBRE Global Investors, she was Global Head of ESG with overall responsibility for developing and communicating global sustainability priorities and strategies across all business lines. Prior to this, Njagulj was head of the Sustainability, R&D and Innovation department at Bouygues U.K.

Throughout her career Njagulj has built a reputation both professionally and personally for championing the cause of responsible real estate investment. She received the UK-based edie 2020 Sustainability Leaders Award for Investor of the Year for an ESG programme she designed and delivered for CBRE. In addition, Njagulj was awarded the 2020 GRESB/BREEAM Individual Leadership Award, recognizing strong leadership and commitment in the field of sustainable development. In 2021, Njagulj won the global Future Proof Real Estate Woman Award as a leader in applying digitalization, technology, open innovation and sustainability to create a better built environment.

A qualified architect, Njagulj holds has a Master's degree in Architectural Design from the University of Belgrade; a Master's degree in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge; is a BRE Academy Fellow, and sits on the INREV ESG Committee and the ULI Sustainability Council.

As a fiduciary partner, DWS remains committed to becoming a leading ESG manager and to providing ESG expertise to enable clients to invest responsibly and in a way that contributes to a sustainable future. DWS was among the early signatories of the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2008. 

Clemens Schaefer, Head of Real Estate APAC & EMEA said: "We are very excited to appoint Sasha to lead our ESG efforts, her extensive industry achievements will prove integral in the next stage of our ESG journey. She will assume responsibility for further evolving our ESG real estate strategy as a continuation of our goal to achieve best practice globally across our real estate assets and portfolios."

Todd Henderson, Head of Real Estate, Americas concluded: "As a global real estate manager, we believe we have created a solid foundation in factoring ESG principles into our investment process in support of DWS’s firm wide commitment. With the appointment of Sasha, we hope to further elevate our ESG execution capability."

DWS’s real estate platform currently has EUR 16.6 billion in green label real estate assets under management (those with certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, Energy Star, or equivalent). In addition, 15 real estate funds and EUR 36 billion are recognized with Green Stars distinction from GRESB.

For further information please contact:

Nick Bone
+44 (0) 20 754 72603
nick.bone@dws.com

DWS - Real Estate

DWS has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternatives platform, the real estate business has more than 450 employees around the world and EUR 67 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. Providing a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, we offer core and value-added real estate, real estate debt, real estate securities and opportunistic real estate. 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) is one of the world's leading asset managers with EUR 859bn of assets under management (as of 30 June 2021). 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 asset classes and 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, which guides our investment approach strategically.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing: with approximately 3,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are investors – entrusted to build the best foundation for our clients' future.