UBS Executive Jones Shocking Move to StepStone: What This Means for Real Estate!

In the ever-evolving landscape of real estate and investment management, recent leadership changes across various firms signal new strategies and growth opportunities. Notably, companies such as **StepStone Real Estate**, **BioMed Realty**, and **Infranode** have made significant appointments to enhance their operational capabilities and expand their market reach.

**StepStone Real Estate** has named **Jennifer Jones** as partner to spearhead the launch of its new global core and core-plus investment platform, **S-Core**. Previously a senior portfolio manager at **UBS** for nearly two decades, Jones's experience will be pivotal as she oversees S-Core’s global mandate. Initially structured as a series of separate accounts, the platform will focus on secondaries, co-investments, and tactical operating company investments as it aims to carve a niche within the competitive real estate market.

Meanwhile, **BioMed Realty**, a subsidiary of **Blackstone** specializing in life sciences real estate, has elevated three executives to senior vice president positions: **Allyn Aguirre**, **Andrew Laing**, and **Kevin Tremblay**. Aguirre will serve as chief accounting officer, managing accounting, treasury, and financial reporting. Laing steps into the role of SVP of asset management, while Tremblay expands his responsibilities as SVP of leasing for West Coast markets, now overseeing leasing across a substantial operating portfolio of 9 million square feet, which includes markets in California, Seattle, and Boulder.

In the Nordic region, **Infranode** has strengthened its team by appointing **Tomi Yli-Kyyny**, **Hillevi Priscar**, and **Thomas Röckert** as senior advisors. This strategic move aims to bolster Infranode's active ownership model while enhancing its long-term value creation across its infrastructure portfolio. Yli-Kyyny, who has previously led major companies including **Fennia Group**, will enhance engagement with Finnish institutional investors. Priscar brings over 20 years of renewable energy experience, and Röckert joins the firm with a robust background in strategy and revenue management, particularly in Nordic Capital advisory roles.

**Ørsted**, a leader in offshore wind energy, has appointed **Simon Ashley** as chief HR officer, effective **August 1, 2026**. Ashley's extensive experience includes an 18-year tenure at **BP**, where he held senior vice president roles in multiple divisions, focusing on people and culture. He takes the reins from **Henriette Fenger Ellekrog**, who is stepping down to pursue non-executive directorships after joining Ørsted in 2019.

In the Middle East, **SC Capital Partners** has appointed **Yazan Masri** as managing director of investments based in **Abu Dhabi**. Masri will lead the firm's investment activities in the region, drawing from his two decades of experience, most recently as head of real estate at **Abu Dhabi Capital Group**. His expertise encompasses REIT formation, acquisitions, and structured transactions—key areas that will enhance SC Capital's footprint in Middle Eastern real estate.

**JLL** has welcomed **John Callaghan** as senior director of capital coverage for the **Asia-Pacific** region. Based in **Hong Kong**, Callaghan's responsibilities include managing investor relations and developing portfolio strategies for cross-border investors, particularly those tied to Hong Kong-based institutions and family offices. His role comes at a time when JLL is focusing on bolstering its regional capital markets infrastructure.

Further developments include **Brighter Super’s** appointment of **Damien Webb** as chief investment officer, effective **April 2026**. Webb, who has an extensive background in managing multi-asset portfolios, will succeed **Mark Rider**, who stepped down in December. His arrival marks a significant transition for the $37 billion Queensland-based fund, particularly as it pursues growth opportunities in the UK market.

**L&G** has announced the appointments of **Tim Morris** and **Philipp Westermann** as global co-heads of real assets within its asset management division. This change follows L&G’s acquisition of a 75% stake in **Proprium Capital Partners**, signaling a commitment to expanding infrastructure and real estate strategies across the **US**, **Europe**, and **Asia**.

In a similar vein, **Lichfields**, a planning and development consultancy, has promoted **Sophie White**, **Cem Kosaner**, and **Grant Swan** to senior director. Their new roles reflect the firm's emphasis on enhancing central management functions and regional strengths, particularly in **South Wales** and the **South West**.

Meanwhile, **Rebalance Earth**, a UK-based natural capital investment manager, has appointed **Vijyanti Gorasia** as head of structuring. Gorasia’s expertise will be pivotal as the firm transitions from proof of concept to an active deployment strategy focused on nature-based investments aimed at biodiversity recovery and flood risk reduction.

**Colliers** has appointed **Ludovic Delaisse** as chief executive officer of Colliers **France**, taking over from **Antoine Derville**, who moves to chairman. Delaisse’s 30 years of industry experience will be crucial in leading the company’s French operations and integrating project and advisory services.

Lastly, **Driftwood Capital** has announced the promotion of **Carlos Rodriguez Jr.** to CEO. Having co-founded the hospitality-focused real estate investment firm in **2015**, Rodriguez Jr. will focus on scaling the vertically integrated platform, which currently manages approximately $3.5 billion in assets spread across over 80 hotels.

These strategic appointments across the real estate and asset management sectors underline a robust response to the dynamic market landscape, emphasizing leadership, innovation, and a forward-looking approach to investment and development.