APREA Malaysia Conference

Sue leads the Business Services and Portfolio Management team at KLIA Aeropolis, the centralised development arm of Malaysia Airports, the nation’s airport operator and economic developer across 39 airports. In this capacity, Sue manages a portfolio exceeding RM1 billion in cumulative annual value, encompassing industrial and commercial real assets serving over 90 international and local operators.

Sue has 18 years of diversified experience in real estate, airport city development and financial services. Her expertise spans strategic business planning, investors engagement and execution of deal transactions. Prior to joining Malaysia Airports, she held positions in various government investment promotion agencies, where she led research efforts and provided advisory targeting investors from the US, Europe, and Asia. She began her career in the banking sector at JP Morgan and Maybank Group.

Sue holds a BSc Accounting & Finance degree from University of London, in association with The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Sigrid is the Chief Executive Officer of Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (APREA). Based in Singapore, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, initiatives and operations of the association across Asia Pacific. Under her leadership, APREA repositioned to an industry trade group focusing on real estate and infrastructure.

Sigrid joined APREA’s executive team in January 2019.

Prior to APREA, she served as Managing Director of Asia Pacific Research and Advisory Services of Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) from 2010 through 2018, where she was responsible for research, thought leadership, strategy formulation and client management.  Before relocating to Singapore, she was based in Washington, D.C. and led C&W’s U.S. research group in the Mid-Atlantic region, overseeing all aspects of market research activities in the Washington, DC; Virginia; Suburban Maryland, Baltimore; and Philadelphia areas. Prior to joining C&W, Sigrid served as a Senior Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In that position, she developed NAR’s office, warehouse, retail, multi-family housing, and international research programs.

A recognized expert in global economic, public policy and real estate issues, Sigrid is a frequent speaker at industry events.  Her commentary on commercial and residential real estate markets is also regularly featured in a wide array of global publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Bloomberg, New York Times and Reuters. Additionally, she has made several television appearances on financial networks and radio such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, National Public Radio and Channel News Asia.

Sigrid holds a Master of Business Administration from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and a Master’s degree in Economics from Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of several civic groups including the Rotary Club of Raffles City in Singapore, where she has served in various leadership positions, and serves in the Executive Committee of the Crohn’s & Colitis Society of Singapore.

Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy is a Board member of the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA). It is the industry body for the suppliers and users of capital in the real estate sector. He served as the founding Chairman of the Malaysian REIT Managers Association (MRMA), from 2010-2015, an organization he helped set up in 2010 to give Malaysian REIT Managers a single voice for the purpose of engagement with the Regulators and Ministry of Finance.

Dato LaBrooy has been writing on a regular basis on Property and REITs for the local mainstream print and online media for the past five years or so, and is known and recognised as the “REIT Guru” in the country. He is also a prominent speaker on the subject of Industrial Estate Development and Conventional and Islamic REITs in the region, having been invited to deliver papers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, New York, London, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and Malaysia.

He was appointed Executive Director of Axis REIT on 22 March 2005 and Chief Executive Office (“CEO”) of Axis REIT since August 2008. Axis REIT was the first REIT to be listed in Malaysia and the first Shariah-compliant industrial REIT in the world. Under his leadership, Axis REIT has won several awards, among them, the APREA Best Practices Award in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Axis REIT has provided its investors with total average returns in excess of 25% over the 10 years he helmed the business and still trades today at a 30% premium to NAV. In 2017 Dato’ LaBrooy formed the world’s first unlisted Shariah compliant Education Asset based REIT- Alpha REIT ,which has a planned listing in 2022. He is currently serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy is the Executive Chairman of AREA Management Sdn. Bhd. a subsidiary of AREA Advisors Pte Ltd (AREA) an appointment he has taken since his retirement as CEO and Executive Director of Axis REIT Managers Bhd (ARMB) on 31 December 2015. With a career spanning over 40 years in the industrial space, he has spent well over a decade since 2005 in heading Axis REIT and establishing REITs as an important component of the capital markets. Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy is also a director of a number of public and private companies involved in property development, services and property investment.

Since its inception, AREA was established as a boutique advisory firm providing advice on investing in industrial properties in Malaysia, UK, Australia and Germany. AREA has decided to expand its advisory role to include funds management. It has since set up a company that will undertake the investment management activities (the AREA Industrial Development Fund 1 (AIDF 1) and AREA Management Sdn Bhd (AMSB) was set up to undertake the management of the projects of the fund in Malaysia. AREA Advisors Pte Ltd was re-designated as the Funds management company. In November 2015 AIDF 1 launched its first maiden project a 1,200,000 sq. ft. e-commerce hub in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Dato’ Stewart LaBrooy is also a director of a number of public and private companies involved in property development, services and property investment.

• Tim is the Global Lead for JLL’s International and Strategic Capital team, based in Singapore
• Member of the Global Capital Markets Extended Global Board and Asia Pacific Capital Markets Executive Board
• Tim has 18 years' experience in commercial property, having worked in both client and advisory capacities
• Over this period, Tim has advised global investor clients on approximately USD $10 billion of disposals and $8 billion of acquisitions across a broad range of capital markets transactions, the majority of which have been with international investors
• Tim works with many of the world’s largest and most active investors across a range of investment themes
• The International Capital Coverage (“ICC”) team within JLL’s Capital Markets business hold senior relationships with major global investors
• The ICC team are responsible for facilitating transactions involving cross border capital across a broad range of deal structures
• Clients include sovereign wealth funds, institutional investment managers including pension funds and REITs, private equity and family offices.

Ai Leen is a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group of Wong & Partners, the member firm of Baker McKenzie International in Malaysia. She has over 25 years' experience in the real estate industry and is recognised by both Chambers Asia Pacific and Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Band 1 and Tier 1 practitioner for her capability in the Real Estate practice.

Ai Leen has significant experience representing local and multinational property developers and investors across complex real estate transactions, including sale and purchase agreements, tenancies, and lease agreements. Her expertise extends to the burgeoning Malaysian data center industry, where she has emerged as a leading force through her involvement in multi-million dollar projects including data center developments, greenfield investments and colocation leases or service agreements. Her ability to navigate complex legal and regulatory challenges in this emerging industry, coupled with deep understanding of the industry's dynamics, makes her the go-to person for multinational clients seeking to invest and develop data centers in Malaysia.

Alistair LaBrooy is a seasoned leader with over 12 years of international experience in industries such as Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Data Centers, and Food Processing. Specializing as a Lead Control Systems, Instrumentation, and Commissioning Engineer, Alistair worked his way from junior roles to leading major engineering and project management ventures worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

He has played a pivotal role in the development of several patented technologies, consistently leveraging his deep technical expertise to drive innovation across multiple industries. As the Chief Technology Officer at AREA Group, Alistair is at the helm of transformative digital initiatives. He has successfully launched data-driven social media advertising and marketing campaigns, utilizing analytics to optimize engagement and reach. Currently, he is leading the development of an advanced market intelligence platform, designed to provide real estate developers with unparalleled insights and value-added services. This platform is redefining how data is harnessed for strategic decision-making, particularly in areas such as data center site selection, ensuring optimal site choices by analyzing critical factors like infrastructure, connectivity, and resource availability.

Mr. Heng Wai Mun is the Chief Executive Officer of YTL Data Centers, where he spearheads the organisation’s strategic vision and operational excellence in the rapidly evolving data center landscape.

Before joining YTL Data Centers, Mr. Heng also held leadership roles at Singtel, ST Engineering, and Google. With over 18 years of experience in this field, Mr Heng is a prominent veteran in the industry, who is technically proficient with a sharp business acumen.

He is an alumnus of Stanford University, holding both Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business from INSEAD.

Richard Mills has over 30 years of experience in engineering and construction, delivering projects across the APAC region. Beginning his career in the Oil and Gas industry, he transitioned to Data Centre delivery 15 years ago. He has been responsible for supporting business growth by delivering assets that are commercially and operationally efficient. Based in Singapore, he has held key roles at Bechtel, Keppel, and Microsoft, managing a wide range of projects in APAC and Europe with diverse customer requirements. Currently, Richard leads the Data Centres Design and Development team at ESR Group, spearheading the development of data centre assets across APAC.

Justin is a Partner at PwC Malaysia and leads the TMT client and industry segment within Deals. With over 19 years of experience, he provides strategic advice on divestitures, acquisitions, fundraising, and capital structuring. His client portfolio includes major telecommunications companies and international conglomerates, where he guides high-stakes mergers and acquisitions. Justin holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sydney and is a member of multiple prestigious accounting and arbitration institutes.

In recent years, Justin has focused on delivering value in the data centre sector, notably leading investment appraisal projects in Johor, Malaysia. He was instrumental in the financial and commercial evaluation of a multi-billion ringgit greenfield data centre project for a leading Malaysian telecommunications company, and supported numerous other clients with their data centre investments in Johor.

Azlan Zainal boasts more than two decades of extensive experience in architecture specializing in industrial development across the United Kingdom and Malaysia. He is currently leading Sime Darby Property’s industrial sector, focusing on data centre, aerospace, smart logistics, manufacturing, and SME supply chains. His expertise spans across all key industrial components in supporting companies to achieve their business efficiency via the creation of ecosystem integration, introduction of industrial solutions, and collaboration with industrial technology partners such as the application of digital twin technology, which enhances industrial operations through real-time data and predictive analytics.

Passionate about aligning industrial clients' business strategies with global industry trends, Azlan recognizes that disruptive changes are reshaping business models, impacting employment, and driving the need for transformation. He emphasizes collaboration, capability-building, and technological innovation to future-proof businesses while ensuring sustainability and environmental responsibility. As industries evolve, success will depend on fostering strong partnerships, enhancing expertise, and prioritizing environmental stewardship thus maintaining profitability. His initiatives extend to industrial sustainability and socio-economic impact programs, fostering long-term growth and resilience in the evolving industrial landscape.

Clement Chen was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Sunway REIT on 1 July 2023. Sunway REIT is currently the second largest REIT in Malaysia by Asset Under Management (AUM) with over RM10 billion of assets under its stewardship. Prior to joining Sunway REIT in 2023, Clement was Director of Business Development at Sunway Property where he acquired landbank with development value of over RM10 billion during his tenure. Clement is a Fellow of ICAEW, a member of the MIA and has 20 years of experience in corporate finance, investment structuring, financial management and real estate. His hobby is to visit Malaysia’s many retail malls and be fascinated by the retailers creativity.

Dato’ Ho serves as a Divisional General Manager of Eco World Development Group Berhad (EcoWorld), where she leads numerous large-scale industrial, commercial and residential developments situated in the Klang Valley and Penang.

With a background as a qualified engineer and over 25 years of experience in engineering, construction, and property development, Dato’ Ho has a proven track record in delivering sizeable, high-impact developments. Her role encompasses strategic direction, master planning, product development, sales and marketing, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement.

Dato’ Ho has played a key leadership role in several of EcoWorld’s projects, including Eco Business Park V, Eco Sanctuary, Eco Grandeur, and Eco Ardence in the Klang Valley, as well as Eco Horizon and Eco Sun in Penang.

Prior to joining EcoWorld, she served as General Manager at S P Setia Berhad, where she led the Group’s Quality Department and oversaw major township developments. She began her career as a design engineer, specialising in hydrology and flood mitigation, and was involved in national infrastructure projects such as the SMART Tunnel and the Kelantan River Flood Forecasting system.

Dato’ Ho’s strong technical foundation and strategic vision continue to drive EcoWorld’s mission to build sustainable and future-ready developments.

Jon Sim has more than 10 years’ experience in deal advisory, commercial real estate investment and asset management experience. As the Investment Director at Northmod, he leads the group’s investment and asset management, managing transaction execution, driving portfolio growth and optimising asset performance. Prior to joining Northmod, he was an investment manager with one of the largest commercial real estate investment trusts listed on the Singapore Exchange with USD 2.5 billion assets under management. To date, he has transacted on more than USD1 billion worth of commercial real estate in key Asia Pacific markets in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and Korea. He was also previously with KPMG Deal Advisory, advising clients on real estate deal structure and execution.

Amy is a seasoned expert in master planning development consultancy and a diverse range of real estate consulting projects, specialising in multi-scenario highest-and-best-use studies for both traditional and emerging asset classes. Recently, she has written research white papers on trending real estate issues, specifically on senior housing, data centres, and the adoption of ESG in the real estate industry in Malaysia. With extensive experience in providing investment advisory services to local and foreign investor groups, as well as delivering independent market reports for IPO listing submissions, Amy brings invaluable data-driven insights to her clients.

She is particularly keen on the topic of integrating ESG principles into the real estate landscape. With a deep commitment to sustainability, she has published white papers regarding the incorporation of environmental, social and governance considerations into real estate projects in Malaysia. Her aim is to assist real estate players to align ESG goals with real estate investment and property development strategies, in order to enhance value for stakeholders and to contribute to a greener and more socially-conscious built environment.

In her earlier roles as Head of Research in the international property consultancy firms of Savills and CBRE, Amy played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction in their Malaysian affiliate offices. Prior to that, she held the position of Head of Market Research & Analytics at Sunway Property, where she established a highly-regarded in-house property think-tank and spearheaded impactful research and planning initiatives that guided senior management decisions. Her corporate background has endowed her with a profound understanding of client-side requirements, evident in the clarity and effectiveness of her consulting advisory.

Combining her practical industry experience with a strong foundation in corporate real estate valuation gained during her tenure in Colliers, Amy brings a well-rounded perspective to her consulting engagements. Her ability to provide valuable insights and strategic recommendations has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor in the real estate sector.

With a wealth of experience spanning two decades in the Malaysian real estate industry, Amy is frequently sought after by esteemed clients, financial institutions and developers, to share her expertise at prominent real estate events in Malaysia and Singapore. Her comprehensive research knowledge and authentic presentation style allows for effective delivery of key real estate findings, making her a trusted and influential speaker in the field.

Ms. Safdar is the Head of Research and Strategy for AEW’s Asia Pacific Region where she supports both the direct and indirect investment teams in the region. She has over 12 years of real estate experience which she relies on to provide research and strategy support for all new and existing property investments.  Ms. Safdar joined AEW in 2018 from Cambridge Associates, where she conducted fund manager research and due diligence projects across Asia Pacific’s real estate and infrastructure managers.  Prior to that, she also held a research position at DTZ in Singapore. Ms.Safdar has a B.Sc Real Estate from the National University of Singapore. 

Mr. Joachim Kehr is Head of Asia-Pacific and a Senior Partner at CenterSquare Investment Management, an independently-owned, global investment manager, which focuses on actively managed real estate, private equity real estate and private real estate debt strategies with around $15 billion in institutional client capital. Joachim leads the firm’s investment management efforts across Asia and is a member of the firm’s Global Listed Real Estate Investment Committee and industry bodies.

Prior to joining CenterSquare in 2011, Joachim was a member of BNP Paribas Investment Management’s Listed Real Estate team based in Amsterdam and Singapore.

Joachim holds a MSc in Economics & Finance from the University of Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Nadiah Hamid is an experienced real estate investment professional with a strong background in private markets across real estate and private equity. At KWAP, she plays a key role in shaping the institution’s global real estate strategy, covering fund investments, joint ventures, and co-investments across core and value-add sectors. Her career spans multi-market investment execution, portfolio management, and cross-border strategic planning. Prior to her current role, Nadiah held responsibilities in private equity portfolio management, giving her a well-rounded perspective across alternative asset classes. She is passionate about building resilient portfolios that align long-term value creation with sustainable growth.

Tom Woolhouse is the Managing Director of Capital Markets at Northmod based in Singapore.

Tom is responsible for the Group’s capital and customer partnerships. As a member of the Group Management Board, Tom leads on the investment strategy and new business areas of the Group in both APAC and Europe. Tom dedicates significant time to deal sourcing and is actively involved in all new acquisitions.

With extensive experience in capital markets and leasing, he has held prominent global leadership positions at the board level within a Fortune 500 company.

Tom contributes 25 years of expertise across the UK, EMEA, and APAC regions to Northmod / Equalbase. His background encompasses significant expertise in asset management, real estate development, investment, and portfolio management.

Before joining Northmod, Tom held senior positions, including Managing Director of Business Development for Equalbase, Head of the Logistics and Industrial sector for APAC at JLL, where he was also Vice Chair of the Global Industrial Board and a member of the JLL APAC Executive Board. He also served as Senior Director of Industrial & Logistics Capital Markets at CBRE in London. Additionally, he is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS).

Tom is committed to driving strategic growth while upholding the Group’s dedication to sustainability and the advancement of innovative, carbon-neutral infrastructure.

Kara Capital 21 is a real estate consultancy in Singapore. Kara Capital helps real estate investors to identify relevant real estate investment managers globally for specific real estate strategies.

Their network of investors in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei include pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, savings institutions, real estate developers, insurance companies, real estate funds and large corporates. 

Kara Capital has helped real estate investors deploy USD300 million via real estate investment managers globally since their inception.

Nazmi Camalxaman, a Malaysian, founded Kara Capital in 2021.

Prior to Kara Capital, Nazmi was a real estate banker in Singapore for over 11 years where he gradually developed his network of real estate investors across South East Asia.