Link, the manager of Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT, Hong Kong stock code: 823), today (Monday) announces that Neil Slater will be its new CEO, with effect from 1 March 2027.

Mr Slater brings strong leadership credentials and a robust global real estate investment track record. He has spent significant time living and working in Asia. In his current role, Mr Slater serves as CEO of Redevco, a leading European real estate investment platform with one of the largest retail focused platforms across Europe. He also serves as Co-CIO and Chair of the Investment Committee.

Mr Slater said: “I am both excited and humbled to have the opportunity to lead Link through the next phase of its development. Link has a strong international reputation and plays a very important role in communities in Hong Kong and the wider region. It is a privilege having the opportunity to serve as CEO and work alongside the Board and management team at this important time for Link.”

Link’s Chair, Duncan Owen, said: “I am delighted Neil has decided to join Link and look forward to working closely with him as we continue to focus on Link’s strength in owning and actively managing shopping malls and car parks across APAC. He is a proven CEO with a strong track record in terms of both real estate operations and investment; he brings many years of experience working in senior roles in listed companies. His appointment follows a comprehensive, international and highly competitive search and selection process, through which Neil demonstrated strong leadership and strategy credentials.”

Mr Slater previously led one of Europe’s largest real assets businesses as Global Head of Real Assets & Global Head of Real Estate for Aberdeen Investments (previously abrdn). Earlier in his time with Aberdeen Investments, Mr Slater was the CEO & Representative Director of the firm’s Japanese platform, where he established and built out an investment management business. Mr Slater joined Aberdeen Investments as part of the merger with Standard Life Investments. He was previously with Man Group.

Mr Slater will work closely as CEO with the existing management team as well as Link’s Board and its Chairs Committee.

Link remains committed to focusing on its strength and track record in owning and actively managing shopping malls and car parks in Asia Pacific, namely in the key markets of Hong Kong, tier-one cities of the Chinese Mainland as well as in Singapore and Australia. Link will also continue to develop new capital partnerships where it may co-own and/or manage third party capital as well as exploring value-add opportunities for higher returns, providing further diversification and to enhance returns and Unitholder value.

Further details regarding this news release can be found in the announcement published by Link REIT on the HKEXnews website.

High resolution photo of Mr Slater can be downloaded here. 

Biography: Neil Slater

Mr Neil Slater has served as CEO of Redevco since October 2023. He is also Co-CIO and Chair of Redevco’s Investment Committee. He joined from Aberdeen Investments (formerly abrdn) where, as Global Head of Real Assets & Global Head of Real Estate, he led one of Europe’s largest real assets businesses. Mr Slater was previously the Chief Executive Officer & Representative Director of Aberdeen Investments’ Japanese business, moving to Tokyo in summer 2015 to open and build out an investment management business.

Mr Slater joined Aberdeen Investments as part of the merger with Standard Life Investments. At Standard Life Investments (SLI) he led a multidisciplinary team responsible for product structuring, tax, legal and cross-asset debt-financing. He developed and fund-managed SLI Real Estate’s investor loan platform with responsibility for approximately GBP600 million of capital across mandates.

Previously, Mr Slater spent over 6 years in Switzerland with Man Group where he had responsibility for a multi-billion USD debt book in addition to leading the team structuring Man’s equity derivative products & OTC derivatives, fund financing and custodial structures. During this time, Mr Slater was responsible for launching various alternative assets funds and structuring solutions. He delivered to market single and multi-strategy global and regional alternative asset products for the Asian, Middle Eastern and South American markets.

Mr Slater has been active in public service and is currently Chair of LandAid, the leading charitable foundation for the UK property and built environment industry which aims to end youth homelessness.

Mr Slater is an English qualified solicitor and received his MBA (Finance) with distinction from Manchester Business School in January 2007. He has a Master’s degree from St. Andrews University (1999) and completed MIT’s Advanced Management Programme in February 2019.

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About Link Asset Management Limited

Link Asset Management Limited (Link) is a leading, independent, and fully integrated real estate investor and manager focusing on the APAC region. It manages Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT, Hong Kong stock code: 823), one of the largest REITs in Asia, and its real estate investment portfolio.

Link focuses on its strengths and track record in owning and actively managing malls and car parks in the key markets across Asia Pacific, namely Hong Kong, tier-one cities of the Chinese Mainland, Singapore and Australia. Link is also committed to develop new capital partnerships where Link may co-own and/or manage third party capital, as well as exploring value-add opportunities which provide further diversification and help to enhance returns and unitholder value.

Link aspires to be the trusted partner in APAC real estate sector for unitholders, capital partners, tenants, and the wider communities it serves.

For more information about Link, please visit https://www.laml.com.