LaSalle makes Singapore hire

Mike Smith will replace Philip Levinson as director of client services for LaSalle’s Asian investors in real estate products.

LaSalle Investment Management has hired Mike Smith to serve as director of client services for Asia-Pacific in its Singapore office.

Smith was previously in charge of institutional and international sales for mutual funds managed by Skandia Investment Management. Before that, Smith worked at Gartmore Investment Management and HSBC Asset Management.

Smith will replace Philip Levinson, who left the position in December to join RREEF, the real estate investment arm of Deutsche Bank.

LaSalle’s Asian real estate funds include the $1 billion (€750 million) LaSalle Asia Opportunity Fund III and the $400 million Lasalle Japan Logistics Fund II. Amith will be charged with raising capital from investors in Asia for the firm’s real estate ventures. The firm has clients in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.