AEW Europe has appointed Christian Delaire as its new chief executive officer.

Delaire will succeed Franois Pochard in the role, overseeing the management of over €17bn of real estate assets and 250 professionals in AEW’s 11 offices.

Delaire joins AEW Europe after 15 years at AXA Real Estate Investment Managers, where he most recently worked as global head of fund management.

Jeffrey Furber, AEW Europe chairman, said: ‘Christian had a long and successful career at AXA REIM and brings with him a wealth of real estate investment management experience and leadership skills. He will also be an important contributor to the continued development of AEW’s global real estate investment platform.’

Delaire said: ‘The company is well positioned to take advantage of the unprecedented real estate

investment opportunities expected to arise from the market dislocation created by the credit crisis. I am excited to join AEW at such a key turning point in the international property markets.’

AEW Europe is a subsidiary of Natixis Global Asset Management.