BGO has named Simon Holmes as its new chief investment officer for Canada.

Holmes will lead the investment team responsible for execution of the firm’s Canadian real estate transaction activity, BGO announced. He will also retain his role as leader and portfolio manager for BGO’s flagship Canadian core strategy.

As part of his expanded position, he will contribute to BGO Canada’s strategic platform growth initiatives and remain active in the firm’s investor relations and capital raising functions. In addition, he will chair BGO Canada’s management investment committee.

His deep expertise and ongoing investment oversight of the BGO Prime Canadian Property Fund strategy will further preserve the fund’s stability and ensure its optimal alignment with the firm’s overarching strategic direction in Canada, said the company.

Holmes assumes the Canadian CIO position from Christina Iaccoucci, who remains a managing partner and head of Canada.

“Simon is an exceptionally talented and strategic leader with a sophisticated understanding of commercial real estate and a strong track record of delivering for our investors,” Iacoucci said. “His elevation to chief investment officer reflects our confidence in his ability to drive our investment activity in Canada, which is a cornerstone of our vertically integrated platform.”

Holmes brings more than 20 years of real estate experience to his new position. His experience encompasses investments, portfolio and asset management, joint-venture structuring, capital raising and client relations, governance, and research. Since rejoining BGO in 2016, his duties have included setting the strategic direction for the Prime Canadian Fund, overseeing comprehensive portfolio restructuring initiatives and completing major property acquisitions and dispositions.

Prior to rejoining BGO, he spent a decade with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board with his responsibilities covering multiple property types in Canada and the U.S. He started his career with BGO in 2003.

“I am honoured to lead our Canadian investment team and to serve alongside our incredibly skilled professionals who passionately embrace our role as a responsible and forward-thinking fiduciary of capital for our clients,” said Holmes. “I look forward to contributing to the growth of the business in Canada with ingenuity, integrity, and an unrelenting focus on client service.”

BGO is a leading global real estate investment management advisor and a globally-recognized provider of real estate services. The firm’s expertise spans office, industrial, multi-residential, retail and hospitality properties across the globe.

Headquartered in Miami, BGO was formed through a merger between U.S.-based GreenOak Real Estate and Vancouver-based Bentall Kennedy in 2019. The firm is a subsidiary of Toronto-based Sun Life, one of Canada’s largest institutional investors, and has a large presence in this country.

BGO serves more than 750 institutional clients with approximately US$85 billion of assets under management as of September 30.