Columbia Threadneedle names new real estate boss for UK and Europe

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has appointed Joseph Vullo to head its real estate operation in the UK and continental Europe. Vullo, who has previously led the firm’s UK real estate business, will now take on additional oversight for the continental Europe operations, with Iris Schoberl and Ian Kelley continuing to head operations in Munich and Paris, respectively. The newly created role is expected to enable the firm to drive product development opportunities and solutions on a pan-European basis. Columbia Threadneedle has $17bn (£13.4bn) of European real estate assets under management on behalf of retail, high-net-worth, institutional and insurance clients. These investments are predominantly in logistics, retail, industrial and offices. Stewart Bennett, global head of alternatives at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, said: “Bringing our UK and Continental European real estate capabilities together under Joe’s leadership will increase collaboration and innovation across our European real estate platform.”