2 March 2015 - Group

Aberdeen Bolsters Direct Property Investment Team with Head of Segregated Property Mandates for Asia Pacific

Aberdeen Asset Management today announces the appointment of William Shaw to the Direct Property team as Head of Segregated Property Mandates, Asia Pacific.

William has over 20 years' experience in Asia, most recently as a consultant in Hong Kong where he advised on over USD1 billion-worth of real estate investments, both local and cross-border . His experience spans Asia's most developed markets including Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore as well as the region's emerging economies like China, Thailand and Vietnam.

William's career has included periods at Everview Capital Partners, Composition Capital Partners, Lowe Enterprises Asia and Cushman & Wakefield in a range of investment and advisory roles based in Hong Kong and China. William is bilingual in English and Chinese. He holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley.

Asian property offers investors deep markets, the opportunity to diversify and managers with a proven track record. Although the region has faced a mild slowdown in economic growth, it remains extraordinarily dynamic. China's continuing shift towards domestic-led consumption, its status as the world's second largest economy and the long-term emergence of Asia's middle class are among the factors which underpin the opportunity to investors. Aberdeen has a long record in Asia, having opened an office 24 years ago in Singapore, and has been investing in the region since the 1980s.

Russell Chaplin, Property Chief Investment Officer, commented: "Aberdeen is now the second largest property asset manager in Europe and William's appointment is part of our aim to replicate that success in Asia. While we already have ten years of experience investing in Asian property funds, William's intimate knowledge of local markets will be vital as we look to grow our direct assets under management in the region."

William Shaw, Head of Segregated Property Mandates, Asia Pacific, commented: "Aberdeen was one of the first global asset managers to understand the potential of Asia's economic growth. But the property market has developed in different ways across the region, which is, of course, hugely diverse. The factors affecting property investments in, for instance, Japan are vastly different from those in some of the more developing economies. Part of my role will be helping clients to navigate those differences and identify the opportunities."

For further information contact:

Guy Nicholas
Aberdeen Asset Management
Telephone: 02074635809
Mobile: 07810050539
Email: guy.nicholls@aberdeen-asset.com

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