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Centuria announces senior internal promotions

Strengthens leadership team in preparation for new property growth cycle

  • Andrew Essey appointed to the newly created Chief Investment Officer position
  • Jesse Curtis promoted to Head of Funds Management
  • New Fund Managers for CIP and COF; new Head of Transactions

Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI or “Centuria”) has strengthened its senior management structure with a number of internal promotions, effective from Monday 15 April 2024.

Jason Huljich, Centuria Joint CEO, said, “The new senior roles are part of a strategic plan to ensure Centuria is well positioned to capitalise on market growth as the green shoots of real estate transactions gain momentum, indicating the potential eve of a new property cycle. We are proud to announce these senior roles have been filled by long-standing current members of the Centuria team who build on the legacy they have helped create.”

Andrew Essey has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Investment Officer (CIO), responsible for the Group’s investment strategy, transactions, and institutional capital. Previously, he was Group Head of Transactions and successfully executed more than $11 billion of direct real estate transactions between 2017 and 2024. Mr Essey joined Centuria in early 2013 and has more than 17 years of experience across real estate capital transactions, leasing and funds management.

Mr Essey said, “Centuria has a strong reputation for executing landmark real estate transactions through leveraging our deep industry relationships and broad skillsets. We have a significant appetite to grow our assets under management to deliver healthy recurring revenue for the Group, our REITs and unlisted funds. We also maintain focus on furthering our institutional partnerships, domestically and abroad, to support our growth objectives. It is an honour to be recognised with this promotion and I look forward to continuing our strategic real estate platform expansion.”

Jesse Curtis is appointed Head of Funds Management, responsible for both listed and unlisted property funds across the office, industrial, retail, healthcare and agricultural sectors, including more than 100 open and closed-end unlisted funds. Previously, he was Centuria’s Head of Industrial and Centuria Industrial REIT (ASX: CIP) Fund Manager. He increased CIP’s AUM to $3.9 billion1 from $1.2billion2. Mr Curtis joined Centuria in 2019 and has more than 17 years of experience in funds management and capital markets.

Mr Curtis said, “Centuria’s fund management track record extends beyond 26 years and in this time the company has generated a strong $20 billion of real estate assets under management. This is a significant mantle to take up and I am honoured to be charged with the responsibility of furthering Centuria’s success. Centuria presents a formidable funds management team and I believe we are well positioned to take advantage of emerging market conditions to further grow our portfolios and deliver compelling returns to our investors.”

Grant Nichols is promoted to Head of Listed Funds and CIP Fund Manager, the latter of which will assume responsibility for Australia’s largest listed pure-play industrial REIT. Previously, he was Centuria’s Head of Office and Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF) Fund Manager. He increased COF’s AUM to $2.1 billion1 from $1.4billion2. Mr Nichols joined Centuria in 2019. His 20-year career in commercial real estate funds management extends across office and industrial sectors in both listed and unlisted markets.

Belinda Cheung is promoted to COF Fund Manager, following Mr Nichols promotion. She is responsible for Australia’s largest listed pure-play office fund. From April 2022, Ms Cheung was COF’s Assistant Fund Manager. Ms Cheung has 14 years of experience across listed and unlisted real estate funds management, strategy and analysis, financial reporting and assurance, with exposure to office, retail, healthcare and industrial sectors.

Following Mr Essey’s promotion, Nathan Guo will assume the role of Head of Transactions, responsible for originating and managing the Group’s property transactions across all real estate sectors. Previously, he was Senior Transactions Manager across Office and Industrial. Mr Guo joined Centuria in 2017 and brings more than 10 years of industry experience to his new role.

Mr Huljich concluded, “As Centuria evolves, we adjust our management structure to reflect our growth and ensure the most adept personnel are in place to lead each of our business divisions. We congratulate Andrew, Jesse, Grant, Nathan and Belinda on their promotion and are confident they will build on Centuria’s success in their new roles.”

1. As at 31 December 2023.
2. As at 31 December 2018.