Global real estate investment manager Hines has promoted Amit Diwan to lead its Asia Pacific and Middle East operations. Diwan, who previously managed the firm's India business, will focus on scaling the company’s presence in these regions. The appointment comes as Hines plans to expand its regional footprint, including a new office in Riyadh by 2026.
Detailed Coverage
Hines, the global real estate investment firm, has announced a major leadership change, appointing Amit Diwan as the new Head of Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Diwan transitions into this role after successfully leading the company’s Indian operations. This change is part of a broader organizational push to improve regional coordination and accelerate the firm’s investment activities across high-growth markets.
Strategic Expansion in Key Markets
The leadership shift is intended to align Hines with the increasing demand for cross-border real estate investment strategies. The Asia Pacific region remains a pillar for the firm, which currently operates in 14 cities across six countries. Meanwhile, the Middle East is becoming a central focus for the company’s capital-raising and investment efforts. Having established a dedicated Dubai office in 2020, Hines has confirmed plans to further strengthen its Middle Eastern presence by opening a new office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by 2026.
By elevating an executive with extensive experience in the Indian market, Hines aims to leverage Diwan’s background in building local teams and fostering capital partnerships. These regions are viewed by the company as vital engines for its global growth over the next decade. Steve Luthman, Hines’ Global Head of Real Estate, highlighted that the move is designed to ensure consistent execution as the firm targets more dynamic real estate development opportunities in these territories.
Leadership Restructuring
As part of this transition, Jon Tanaka, who previously led the Asia Pacific division, will move into a new role as Senior Managing Director for Strategic Projects, focusing specifically on Japan and Korea. This reallocation of senior leadership is meant to deepen the firm’s commitment to mature real estate markets like Japan and Korea while allowing for a more centralized and rapid decision-making process across the broader Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.
For investors and market observers, the key focus will be on how these regional leaders manage the balance between local market volatility and the firm’s long-term capital deployment goals. The upcoming establishment of the Riyadh office in 2026 will be a primary event to track, as it will likely serve as the gateway for Hines to capture more institutional capital and development projects within the Gulf Cooperation Council markets.