Aviva Investors appoints Ben Sanderson as Managing Director, Real Estate

(London) – Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc (‘Aviva’), today announces the appointment of Ben Sanderson as Managing Director, Real Estate. 

Ben will join Aviva Investors in January 2022 with responsibility for the direct real estate business. He will report to Daniel McHugh, Chief Investment Officer, Real Assets, and join the Real Assets Senior Leadership Team.

Ben has over 20 years’ experience in UK, continental Europe, and global real estate investment. He joins the business after 13 years at Federated Hermes, most recently holding the role of Executive Director, Fund Management, with responsibility for global real estate, UK residential and real estate debt investment programmes, as well as overseeing ESG strategy.

Prior to Federated Hermes, Ben was at M&G Real Estate for almost six years, where he held the positions of Fund Manager for the Global Real Estate Securities Fund and Head of Global Strategy and View Formation for private real estate investments. He is the current Chair of the UK Investment Property Forum.

Alongside Ben’s appointment, Aviva Investors also announces that James Stevens, who has successfully led the Real Estate business on an interim basis since February 2021, will take up the new role of Head of Real Estate Investment in January, reporting to Ben. In his new role, James will be responsible for delivering strong performance for our clients through the origination of investment opportunities and developments, as well as leading joint venture and co-investment programmes.

Daniel McHugh, CIO, Real Assets, at Aviva Investors said:

“We are delighted that we have been able to attract someone of Ben’s calibre to Aviva Investors. Ben has demonstrable experience in leading teams and setting and executing business strategies, as well as strong pedigree in research and ESG. I look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen our direct real estate capabilities. I also want to thank James for leading the team over the past several months and to congratulate him on his new role.”

For more information contact:

James Morgan

Media Relations Manager

Steve Ainger

Head of Media Relations

Important information

The information and opinions contained in this document are for use by the financial press and media only. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information or opinions contained in this document nor should they be seen as advice. 

The press release is provided on the basis that Aviva Investors Global Services Limited is not causing the communication of a financial promotion under exemption of the Financial Promotion Order, as Aviva Investors Global Services Limited has no control over the way in which an article based on this press release is prepared and published by the financial press and media. 

Except where stated as otherwise, the source of all information is Aviva Investors Global Services Limited (“Aviva Investors”) as at 11 April 2022. Unless stated otherwise any views and opinions expressed are those of Aviva Investors. They should not be viewed as indicating any guarantee of return from an investment managed by Aviva Investors nor as advice of any nature. The value of an investment and any income from it may go down as well as up and the investor may not get back the original amount invested. 

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805. Registered Office: St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Aviva Investors

Aviva Investors is the global asset management business of Aviva plc. The business delivers investment management solutions, services and client-driven performance to clients worldwide. Aviva Investors operates in 14 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and the United Kingdom with assets under management of £268 billion in assets under management as at 31 December 2021.

Aviva PLC

We are the UK’s leading Insurance, Wealth & Retirement business and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in Singapore, China and India.

  • We help our 18.5 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
  • We have been taking care of people for 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2021, we paid £30.2 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
  • Aviva is a market leader in sustainability. In 2021, we announced our plan to become a Net Zero carbon emissions company by 2040, the first major insurance company in the world to do so. This plan means Net Zero carbon emissions from our investments by 2040; setting out a clear pathway to get there with a cut of 25% in the carbon intensity of our investments by 2025 and of 60% by 2030; and Net Zero carbon emissions from our own operations and supply chain by 2030.  Find out more about our climate goals at www.aviva.com/climate-goals and our sustainability ambition and action at www.aviva.com/sustainability
  • Aviva is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
  • At 31 December 2021, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group are £401 billion and our Solvency II shareholder capital surplus is £13.1 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
  • For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us  
  • The Aviva newsroom at www.aviva.com/newsroom includes links to our spokespeople images, podcasts, research reports and our news release archive. Sign up to get the latest news from Aviva by email.
  • You can follow us on:

o    Twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/  

o    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc

o    Instagram: www.instagram.com/avivaplc

For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aviva

Aviva Investors Global Services Limited
St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ

Phone     +44 (0)20 7809 6000

Fax          +44 (0)20 7489 7940

Web        www.avivainvestors.com

Email      info@avivainvestors.com

Issued by Aviva Investors Global Services Limited, registered in England No. 1151805. 
Registered Office: St Helen's, 1 Undershaft, London, EC3P 3DQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and a member of the Investment Association.

Telephone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes.