Aviva Investors has appointed Daniel McHugh as chief investment officer of its 47.3 billion pound (US$66.62 billion) real assets business, succeeding Mark Versey, who was appointed in January as the company’s chief executive officer.

In his new role, McHugh will be responsible for the strategy and growth of the company’s integrated real assets business, encompassing real estate, infrastructure and private debt. He will oversee around 300 professionals working across fund management, asset management, development, transactions, origination, underwriting, research, and business management. He will also join the company’s executive team.

McHugh joined Aviva Investors in April 2018 as managing director for real estate. He has more than 25 years’ experience in UK and continental European real estate. Prior to joining Aviva Investors, he was head of continental European real estate investment at Standard Life Investments. He joined Standard Life Investments in 2000.

A successor as managing director for real estate will be announced in due course. In the interim, James Stevens, head of development, global real estate, will lead the team.