Today AMP Capital announced new appointments in its real estate business, including a new role focused on growing its real estate capabilities in international markets. 

Chief Operating Officer, Real Estate 

Kylie O’Connor has been appointed Chief Operating Officer for Real Estate, responsible for AMP Capital Real Estate’s group-wide functions of finance, strategy, research, governance, risk and compliance, sustainability, business platforms and corporate marketing and communications. 

Currently Fund Manager for AMP Capital Diversified Property Fund (ADPF), AMP Capital’s largest pooled real estate fund, Ms O’Connor has done an outstanding job to identify and unlock value for ADPF clients, while demonstrating the strategic, systemic and enterprise thinking required for her new role as COO. An internal and external recruitment process is underway for a new Fund Manager for ADPF, and Ms O’Connor will commence the COO role once an appointment is made. 

International Strategy 

To continue to leverage the strengths of AMP Capital’s real estate capabilities globally, Merran Edwards has been appointed to the new role of Head of International Strategy, Real Estate.  Ms Edwards was instrumental in AMP Capital’s investment into US-based real estate investment manager PCCP and this new role will harness her experience to explore and create new opportunities in key markets whilst leveraging our strategic partnerships.  

Office and Industrial Management 

Luke Briscoe, as Managing Director Office & Industrial, will assume a broader role with accountability for office and mixed-use development. This change aligns with AMP Capital’s integrated management model and includes the delivery of office development including the iconic Quay Quarter Sydney project. 

AMP Capital Global Head of Real Estate Carmel Hourigan said she was delighted to announce these appointments to her leadership team, and Mr Briscoe’s expanded role. 

“I’d like to congratulate Kylie and Merran on their appointment to these important roles, both have demonstrated unwavering focus and dedication to creating value for our clients. 

“I’m confident these changes support our continual focus on delivering outstanding investment experiences and our aspiration to maximise opportunities for our clients. The changes align to our ambitious international and domestic growth strategy and also demonstrate the strong talent pipeline and succession planning of our people,” Ms Hourigan said. 

The appointment of Merran Edwards and the additional accountabilities for Luke Briscoe are effective immediately.  Biographies follow below. 

Biographies 

Kylie O’Connor 

Kylie O’Connor is currently the Fund Manager of the AMP Capital Australian Diversified Property Fund (ADPF), responsible for the delivery of investment performance of the Fund in line with strategy. 

Appointed to her role in 2015, Ms O’Connor joined AMP Capital from Lend Lease where she was Fund Manager for a number of smaller funds and retail mandates.  Ms O’Connor has 20 years’ experience in property funds management with a particular focus on retail assets and has been involved in the delivery of several large development projects on behalf of wholesale investors.  Prior to this, she held several roles at Arthur Andersen in the property audit and advisory business. 

Ms O’Connor holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Land Economics), Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment and sits on the NSW Property Industry Foundation Board of Advisers. 

Merran Edwards 

Merran Edwards joined AMP Capital in March 2016 as Executive Manager, Origination and soon after was appointed to the role of Head of Corporate Portfolio Strategy. In this role Ms Edwards was responsible for seeking opportunities for inorganic growth for AMP Capital globally including AMP Capital’s investment into US-based real estate investment manager PCCP. Ms Edwards has 16 years of experience in real estate and corporate advisory including eight years at UBS in the Investment Banking Division. While at UBS she completed a number of public and private-treaty M&A transactions in the real estate sector. Ms Edwards has completed a significant number of capital market transactions across a range of industry sectors including real estate, financial services, infrastructure, resources, healthcare and consumer products. 

More recently Ms Edwards spent two years consulting and providing independent corporate advice on M&A and Capital market transactions at Fort Street Advisers. Fort Street Advisers is an independent corporate advisory business that specialises in advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, capital management and debt restructuring. Prior to this she spent six years at KPMG in Transaction Services, specialising in Financial due diligence. 

Ms Edwards is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree majoring in Corporate Finance and Accounting. 

Luke Briscoe 

Luke Briscoe is the Managing Director of AMP Capital Office & Industrial, AMP Capital’s investment, property management and development business, providing strategic management services to AMP Capital’s $9.4 billion (as at 31 December 2017) Australian Office and Industrial real estate portfolio. 

Mr Briscoe is responsible for leading the 150 plus team of real estate professionals, creating exceptional real estate experiences that support customers in their success, whilst ensuring the delivery of superior and sustainable investment performance for clients. 

Commencing with AMP Capital in February 2016, Mr Briscoe brings more than 20 years’ experience in real estate to his role, including funds management, investment management, as well as project leasing and commercial agency experience. He joined AMP Capital from Charter Hall where as Head of Asset Management he had overall responsibility for the Asset Management team and the investment performance of a $7 billion office portfolio. In addition to his role at Charter Hall, Mr Briscoe has held senior positions with Colliers International and The GPT Group, working across office and industrial portfolios in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. 

Mr Briscoe holds a Bachelor of Business in Property (Valuation) from the University of South Australia, is a member of the Property Council of Australia’s office committee and is a member of AMP Capital’s Real Estate Leadership Team.