Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has hired two experts to further enhance its 185 Capital Markets professionals in the region – a move that is aimed at further expanding the company’s Asia Capital Markets business.
Mr. Akihiko Mizuno is set to join JLL in August as head of Capital Markets Japan from Spring Investment Co. He previously worked in the property arm of investment banks Merrill Lynch and Citibank. He has more than 25 years of real estate experience covering acquisition, development, sale and leaseback, asset management, advisory and M&A.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ari Druker will join the Regional Corporate Finance team in Tokyo as an Associate Director. He has spent the past ten years at Deutsche Bank in Tokyo, serving as Portfolio Manager in the Commercial Real Estate finance group during his last three years in the bank.
Mr. Druker’s role will include executing debt and equity related mandates, supporting the regional corporate finance business and advising capital based in Japan on offshore indirect investment opportunities.
“With Asian economies first to emerge from the downturn, we are seeing increased demand for advice from both potential sellers and buyers. The investment we continue to make in our Capital Markets business has enabled us to grow our cross border capability and further strengthen our position,” said Alastair Hughes, CEO for Jones Lang LaSalle Asia Pacific.
“Our business is growing and we are winning more mandates and closing more landmark deals. These appointments will further strengthen our capability, driving performance and growth so we can maximize market share and leverage on gradually improving market conditions,” added Mr. Hughes.