Old Mutual Appoints New Executive

Gerhard Kirchner joins Old Mutual Investment Group Properties Kirchner was executive director of Sanlam Properties prior to joining Old Mutual

Old Mutual investment and insurance group announced this week that it has appointed Gerhard Kirchner to act as the company's new Property Management Executive for its Property Investment division.

Kirchner is no stranger to the property investment scene, having spent 8 years as the Executive Director of Sanlam Properties. Up until 2005, he handled an unlisted property portfolio valued at more than R8 billion.

In the past few years, however, Kirchner moved on to the management of listed property funds for Vuukile and MCC - a portfolio valued at around R4 billion.

Prior to joining Sanlam, Kirchner used his M Sc Engineering (Civil) degree from Stellenbosch University to work in the engineering field.

"Given my passion for property, and the size and quality of the Old Mutual Property Investments portfolio, I am look forward to the challenge," said Kirchner. "I have 20 years experience in property, both listed and unlisted, and I understand the different approaches."

The Managing Director for Old Mutual Property Investements, Ben Kodisang welcomed Kirchner on board and said: "He will add immense value on his varied experience ranging from winnowing of portfolios (acquisitions, sales, upgrades, and refurbishments); income, expense and facilities management; to optimizing of retail income from tenant mix, trading densities and determination of optimal affordable rental per category; and his experience in energy management."

Kirchner officially took up the new capacity at the beginning of last month.