UK – Deutsche Asset Management has appointed Bill Hughes as chief executive of its real estate investment management and advisory division.

Hughes joins from Schroder Property Investment Management where he was deputy director. Since 1997 he was head of research and strategy within the property team at Schroders.

At Deutsche Property Asset Management UK (DePAm UK), Hughes will lead a team of 16 including seven chartered surveyors. He will report directly to Paul Berriman, chief executive officer of DeAM UK, and Don King, global head of Deutsche Bank Real Estate.

The position of CEO for DePAM has remained vacant for most of this year, but now the company is looking at expanding. Says Berriman: “The_appointment will be a great advantage to out plans to expand out offering at a time when there is renewed pension fund interest in property.”

DePAM manages close to one billion pounds in assets, primarily through a managed property fund, and a property ventures fund. DePAM also offers a fund of funds service.