Hongkong Land nabs Mapletree's Michael Smith as new CEO

Hong Kong-based property investment group Hongkong Land Holdings has appointed Mapletree Investments’ Michael Smith (pictured) as its new CEO, succeeding Robert Wong, who has been the chief executive of Hongkong Land since 2016.

Smith, who will take on the role from 1 April 2024, brings a total of 30 years of real estate, capital markets and investment banking experience to his new role. He will relocate to Hong Kong with his wife and children.

Building on Hongkong Land’s capabilities, reputation and portfolio, Smith will evolve Hongkong Land's business and ensure the company continues to invest, manage and develop prime commercial, retail and mixed-use assets, while at the same time, positioning the group for long-term sustainable growth in China and other key Asian markets, according to Ben Keswick, chairman of Hongkong Land Holdings.

He is currently the regional chief executive officer of Europe and the US at Mapletree Investments, a global real estate development, investment, capital and property management company with over US$55 billion of assets under management, headquartered in Singapore. 

During his nearly seven years at Mapletree, Smith has been responsible for growing the group’s new and existing businesses in Europe and the US, and accountable for overall operating performance.

In addition to building scale, Smith has been responsible for monetising assets into public and private vehicles, while leading a large team of professionals across multiple jurisdictions. 

Prior to joining Mapletree, Smith was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and led the bank’s Southeast Asia investment banking, as well as Asia Pacific (ex-Japan) real estate businesses.

Keswick said, “I am delighted to welcome Smith to Hongkong Land. Smith brings a proven track record in real estate investment and capital allocation. He has grown organisations by being an inspirational and caring people leader."

Meanwhile, Wong will retire from his role as chief executive on 31 March 2024 and will continue as a senior advisor to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Keswick added: “I would like to thank Wong for his over 38 years of outstanding service to Hongkong Land. Wong has been instrumental to the development and execution of Hongkong Land’s mainland China strategy since the early 1990s. As chief executive for the past seven years, Wong has enhanced the Group’s Central portfolio in Hong Kong ensuring it remains the pre-eminent office, luxury retail, restaurant, and hotel accommodation destination in the heart of the city."

"He has also continued the Group’s strategic focus to develop, grow and hold prime commercial and luxury retail properties, including the US$3.3 billion mixed use investment in West Bund, Shanghai which is currently under development. Our strategic investments in mainland China will be integral to Hongkong Land’s next phase of growth and value creation. Finally, Wong has led the charge to embed sustainability into the way in which we operate and make decisions at Hongkong Land," he added.

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Hongkong Land for more information. 

Most recently, Hongkong Land HOME FUND has launched its “Christmas Trees of Hope” campaign in celebration of its third anniversary. Since its founding three years ago, Hongkong Land HOME FUND has invested close to HK$110 million into different community projects which have touched the lives of over 239,000 beneficiaries, according to the release. 

“Christmas Trees of Hope” is a new fundraising initiative that encourages tenants and business partners of Hongkong Land to show their support for Hong Kong’s community by sponsoring a Christmas tree. All of the proceeds from this campaign will be directly allocated to NGOs identified by Hongkong Land HOME FUND or selected by the sponsor themselves, without any deduction.

Launched in early November, “Christmas Trees of Hope” has already raised HK$1.3 million with donations from 27 sponsors, followed by an upcoming Hongkong Land HOME FUND initiative - “Celebrate the Gift of Each Other” Christmas Extravaganza in LANDMARK ATRIUM.

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