CBRE Investment Management has appointed Danny Queenan as chief executive to succeed the retiring Chuck Leitner.

Queenan is taking the top job at CBRE IM as he continues to serve as CEO of the parent group’s overarching real estate investments business, after first taking on that role in May 2022, a CBRE representative confirmed to Mingtiandi.

A member of the property consultancy’s executive committee, Queenan previously held the title of president at CBRE IM’s precursor, CBRE Global Investors, and earlier in his career was the Hong Kong-based CEO of CBRE’s Asia Pacific business.

“Danny is playing a hands-on role in working with our existing leaders to guide our business strategy given his deep experience with CBRE IM,” said Pam Barnett, senior director of corporate communications at CBRE.

Leadership Rejig

As part of his concurrent role as CEO of CBRE Real Estate Investments, Queenan now has overall responsibility for CBRE IM’s business strategy, with three key executives reporting to him directly.

Andy Glanzman, as CBRE IM president, is responsible for day-to-day operations and executing the firm’s global strategy.

Kim Hourihan has returned to CBRE IM as chief investment officer after serving as CIO of CBRE REI since January of last year. She looks after investment strategy, performance and risk. Bernie McNamara, as head of client solutions, oversees capital raising, client engagement and portfolio solutions.

Queenan was named president of CBRE Global Investors in late 2016 after serving as chief operating officer of CBRE GI in August 2015. He had a stint as head of CBRE REI from 2018 to 2019, then became CEO of CBRE’s advisory services business until his reappointment as chief of CBRE REI last year.

Veteran Bows Out

Leitner joined the global property group in 2019 as CEO of CBRE GI, succeeding Ritson Ferguson, who moved on to the top job at CBRE Clarion Securities.

Leitner had served as president and CEO of Berkshire Group, an investment management and operating company specialising in US residential property, since 2013. Prior to Berkshire, he was global CEO of RREEF/Deutsche Asset Management.

“We thank Chuck for his impactful leadership and congratulate him on his well-earned retirement following a career that has spanned more than 40 years,” Barnett said.

In another people move, CBRE IM this week announced the appointment of Daniel McDonald as managing director and head of the APAC logistics operator division. The Singapore-based McDonald will manage all aspects of CBRE IM’s logistics and data centre operations in Asia Pacific.

McDonald joined the firm from JP Morgan, where he was most recently head of Australia and New Zealand fund management for Asia Pacific real estate. His earlier experience includes senior roles at CBRE, Goodman and Cushman & Wakefield.