INREV appoints academic as new chief executive

Dr Matthias Thomas joins INREV in August from the Real Estate Management Institute at the European Business School. He used to be a managing director at Investment Property Databank (IPD) GmbH, the German chapter of the organisation, which he founded in 1998.

Johan van der Ende, chairman, said: “After an extensive search, the management board is delighted to have found a new CEO of Matthias' calibre with the experience, understanding and passion for real estate to lead INREV into the future and support our members through this period of recovery. Given that research-based knowledge sits at the heart of the organisation, we were genuinely impressed by Matthias’ strong track record in research.”

Thomas succeeds Lisette van Doorn, who stepped down as CEO in October 2009 to join ING Real Estate Investment Management (REIM) Italy. Andrea Carpenter had been thought of as a possible contender by some members. The former journalist joined INREV as director of research and market information in 2007 from the Urban Land Institute.

“I have admired the way that INREV has supported the non-listed real estate industry over the past several years,” said Thomas in a statement. “I look forward to working with INREV’s professional team, management board and members to create greater transparency, accessibility and standards of best practice in the non-listed real estate funds industry, as well as tackle emerging issues such as sustainability.”

He has been head of chair and endowed professor of the Real Estate Management at the European Business School in Germany for the past two years, with duties including lecturing on real estate investment, finance, portfolio management, and valuation.

He began his career in finance in 1992 as a trainee investment and asset manager at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt. 

According to his resume he speaks German and English as well as some Spanish and French.

Today’s announcement was delayed by INREV, having initially hoped to unveil him to members at its annual conference last month, but the conference was cancelled due to the havoc with European flights created by volcanic ash in Iceland.