Martin Towns

London-based M&G has appointed Martin Towns as global head of its US$42 billion real estate business. Effective July 1. the appointment follows the retirement of Tony Brown, who leaves the company after a 35-year career in infrastructure and real estate investment.

During his 15-year career at M&G, first as a fund manager and most recently as deputy global head of M&G Real Estate, Towns has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic foresight, including presiding over the company’s entry into the residential sector in 2013 and establishment of its capital partnerships business in 2015, the company says.

He also played an instrumental role in the majority acquisition of BauMont Real Estate Capital as part of the company's efforts to strengthen its position as a European leader in private assets and deliver higher risk/return strategies for its real estate clients.

After 11 years with M&G, Brown will relocate to Australia with his family at the end of June, ensuring a comprehensive handover before his departure.

M&G Real Estate is part of M&G plc’s US$93 billion private markets division. It is the 11th largest real estate manager globally of those headquartered outside of the United States, with nine offices in Europe and four in Asia-Pacific.