Kajima Properties, the London based property investor, developer and asset manager, has appointed Lucas Kester MRICS as an investment surveyor for its European portfolio, with a predominant focus on logistics assets.
Based in Kajima Properties’ new London office on St Giles Square, Lucas will report to Investment Director Daniel Bumpstead. He will support Kajima’s continued European growth, particularly in the Logistics sector. Since its launch of its Logistics business in 2016, Kajima has developed and committed to over 1 million sqm in Poland, Germany, Spain, Netherlands and the Czech Republic in a strategic partnership with Panattoni Europe. More recently, the business launched a partnership with Savills Investment Management through the acquisition of Panattoni Europe’s interest in the 144,880 sqm (1.56m sq ft) Łódź City VI logistics park in central Poland.
Lucas joins Kajima Properties from Primary Health Properties PLC (“PHP”), a £2.5bn FTSE 250 REIT and investor in modern healthcare properties across the UK and Ireland. Prior to that, he worked for Octopus Group as an investment surveyor acquiring healthcare assets on behalf of the £800m listed REIT, the MedicX Fund prior to its merger with PHP. A Chartered Surveyor, he additionally holds a BSc degree in Real Estate Investment and Finance from the University of Reading.
Lucas will work alongside Kajima Properties’ UK and European asset management team and will particularly focus on logistics investment and development across Western and Central Europe.
Lucas Kester, Investment Surveyor, Kajima Properties commented: “I am very excited to work alongside the outstanding team at Kajima, who have been incredibly welcoming. This is a great opportunity to apply my skills and experience to different asset classes that continue to perform well for investors and to build on Kajima’s increasing presence in Europe. The logistics sector and projects such as Kajima’s Student Depot in Poland have proven particularly resilient throughout the pandemic and I look forward to working to promote their growth throughout Europe.”
John Harcourt, Managing Director, Kajima Properties commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Lucas to the team, and look forward to him applying his experience and enthusiasm to our growing logistics business as well as in other sectors. 2021 is a promising year for Kajima, so I look forward to working with Lucas as we continue to search for opportunities to further expand our geographical and sectoral focus across the UK and Europe.”