Morley builds property research team

Morley Fund Management is building a dedicated property research team and has hired David Skinner to head it. Skinner has joined from Pramerica, where he was director of research, Europe. At Morley, he takes on the newly created position of head of property research, reporting to Nick Mansley, director of property strategy and indirect investment. At Morley, Skinner will lead the asset manager’s property research capability, taking a key role in business development and investment decision-making across Morley’s property funds. He will also contribute to the strategy and overall development of Morley’s property business.

Before the property research operation was set up, the asset class was covered within the firm’s strategy team. Skinner is now busy recruiting up to seven analysts to staff the team.

This development comes as Morley continues to expand its property team following expansion in continental Europe and Asia. The firm recently hired Ian Hally to the position of head of Asian strategy and indirect investment – a key role in Morley’s expansion into Asia. Hally, who joined from Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, where he was investment director of property securities, is based in Singapore. His responsibilities include strategy and research as well as managing unlisted, indirect and listed securities investments.