Brisbane-based alternative investment firm, QIC, has appointed Michael O’Brien as its new managing director, global real estate, replacing long-term managing director, Steve Leigh, who announced his retirement in 2018.
O’Brien was currently chief financial officer and former chief investment officer of Vicinity Centres and was responsible for investment strategy for an integrated asset management platform with some $26 billion in retail assets under management across 62 shopping centres.
He has also held senior investment and operational roles with GPT Group and Lend Lease Corporation.
In his new role, O’Brien would report to QIC chief executive officer, Damien Frawley, serve on the QIC executive committee and lead a team of over 500 people globally.
Frawley said O’Brien’s leadership qualities and market acumen would ensure that the firm’s real estate platform continued to deliver strong investment returns, building on the outstanding track record of Steve Leigh and QIC GRE.
During the transition, QIC GRE chief operating officer, David Asplin, would assume the role of acting managing director.
