Border to Coast Pensions Partnership has appointed Chris Cooper from DTZ Investors as its new head of real estate.
Cooper was global CEO of DTZ Investors, where he spent 34 years. His role included responsibility for DTZ’s multi-billion-pound real estate portfolios across Europe, in all sectors, much of which was managed on behalf of LGPS clients.
Border to Coast’s combined partnership has more than £8bn in real estate assets, with £7bn invested directly in the UK.
Cooper said: “What Border to Coast is building in the heart of the Northern Square Mile in Leeds is truly game-changing. As one of the largest UK real estate funds, investing directly into the UK, I’m pleased to be returning to the North to be part of the pool’s next chapter. I look forward to working with the team to secure excellent real estate investments on behalf of partner funds, which will ultimately add to the strength of an already resilient LGPS, which does such an important job for millions of crucial local workers.”
Joe McDonnell, chief investment officer at Border to Coast, added: “A key element of realising the benefit of our scale for partner funds is being able to attract the very highest calibre of expertise, and Chris is a prime example of that. We’re excited to have him join and shape our real estate activity moving forwards.”
