Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc has appointed Daniel McHugh as Chief Investment Officer of its £47.3 billion Real Assets business 1. This follows the appointment in January of former Real Assets CIO, Mark Versey, as Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Investors.

In his new role, Daniel will report to Mark Versey and will be responsible for the strategy and growth of Aviva Investors’ integrated Real Assets business, encompassing Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Debt. He will oversee around 300 professionals working across fund management, asset management, development, transactions, origination, underwriting, research, and business management. Daniel will also join the Aviva Investors Executive Team.

Daniel joined Aviva Investors in April 2018 as Managing Director, Real Estate. In that role, he was responsible for business strategy, product initiatives, and external engagement across Real Estate, as well as leading the firm’s direct investment activity across the asset management, development, and transaction teams. He is also a member of the Real Assets Senior Leadership Team. Daniel has more than 25 years’ experience in UK and continental European real estate. Prior to joining Aviva Investors, he was Head of Continental European Real Estate Investment at Standard Life Investments. He joined Standard Life Investments in 2000.

A successor as Managing Director, Real Estate, will be announced in due course. In the interim, James Stevens, Head of Development, Global Real Estate, will lead the team.