MANULIFE US Real Estate Investment Trust&rsquo s (Manulife US Reit : BTOU +1.96%) manager has appointed a new board chairman to succeed its interim one.

 

Marc Feliciano, who is currently a non-executive director of the board, will take over interim chairman Stephen Blewitt&rsquo s role with effect from Thursday (Oct 26).

 

He will also assume Blewitt&rsquo s role as a member of the nominating and remuneration committee.

 

With these changes, Blewitt will retire from Manulife US Reit&rsquo s manager after more than four years on its board, including the past year as interim chairman. (*see amendment note)

 

Feliciano is currently global head of real estate, private markets at the Reit&rsquo s sponsor Manulife Investment Management &ndash a role which he has held since he first joined the company in 2022.

 

&ldquo Marc has significant experience in the US real estate sector, and will assist the management team in developing and implementing strategies to drive sustainable growth for our business and investors,&rdquo said Manulife Investment Management&rsquo s president and chief executive Paul Lorentz.

 

At Manulife Investment Management, Feliciano oversees all aspects of the global real estate business including portfolio management, investments, asset management, and the integration of sustainability into both investments and operations.

 

He is also responsible for developing and implementing the company&rsquo s global real estate investment strategy, and increasing its capabilities on behalf of clients.

 

With his appointment to the board, Manulife US Reit Management said Feliciano plans to devote a significant amount of time to be present in Singapore as both the manager&rsquo s board chairman and at his current role at Manulife Investment Management.