Charlemagne Capital hires head of private equity real estate

Michael Russell has joined the emerging markets firm having previously served Chelsea Football Club and a development company on behalf of Hong Kong businessman, Victor Hwang.

Charlemagne Capital, an emerging markets investment manager, has appointed a head of private equity real estate. The London-based firm said it has hired Michael Russell with immediate effect.

Jayne Sutcliffe, chief executive, said the firm’s new recruit had a proven track record spanning fund raising, deal structuring and negotiation, property development and operational management.

Charlemagne operates the European Convergence Property Company, European Convergence Development Company, and the BRIC property programme. He will be responsible for those businesses as well as raising further funds for property investments.

Russell is a former national director from Jones Lang LaSalle Corporate Finance. Most recently, he was chief financial officer of Parkview International, a development company that was trying to develop London’s Battersea Power station on behalf of the Hong Kong developer Victor Hwang. The power station was sold to Irish group, Treasury Holdings, in 2006.

Prior to joining Parkview he was group finance director at Chelsea Village, a commercial enterprise run by Chelsea Football Club.

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