• Leading pan-European real estate investment manager appoints new head of investor relations
• Michelle Doran spent 12 years at Tishman Speyer, where she was responsible for equity capital markets and managing the firm’s European portfolio
• At MARK, she will manage fundraising as the company looks to expand into new asset classes as part of its multi-platform strategy

Leading pan-European real estate investment manager MARK has appointed a former managing director at Tishman Speyer as its new head of investor relations.

Michelle Doran, who spent 12 years at Tishman Speyer, will oversee the management of relationships with MARK’s existing global investor base, while also driving fundraising for new and existing platforms.

At Tishman Speyer, she was at first responsible for managing the company’s European portfolio before becoming managing director for global equity capital markets. In this later role, Doran was responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with some of the world’s most prominent pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies and family offices across Europe, Israel and Asia.

As managing director and head of European portfolio management at Tishman Speyer, she managed four discretionary pan-European funds with approximately €4bn in gross aggregate assets under management (AUM). She also successfully managed the structuring and launch of Tishman Speyer’s eighth pan-European value-add fund, securing anchor commitments of over €350m.

At MARK, Doran will work closely with CEO and founder Marcus Meijer as well as Chief Investment Officer Josip Kardun to grow and maintain relationships with capital partners. MARK currently has over €10bn AUM, with an established presence in all core European property markets.

In 2020 the investment manager announced a rebrand and the expansion of its multi-platform strategy. This included plans to target new asset classes such as digital and life sciences real estate, as well as growing its exposure to residential for rent and urban logistics. Doran will play a key role in fundraising for these new strategies.

Marcus Meijer, founder and CEO of MARK, commented: “Michelle has an exceptional track-record in forming, managing and growing strategic relationships with global institutional investors. As our new head of investor relations, she will play a key role in expanding our multi-platform strategy, as well as fundraising for our existing ventures.

“The real estate investment landscape is in a state of flux and having the right people and talent will be critical to taking advantage of the opportunities this creates.”

Last year MARK launched DOMA in partnership with Credit Suisse, which aims to amass a €1bn pan-European rental housing portfolio. The platform targets existing small apartment blocks in core cities and commuter belt locations, with an initial focus on Germany and the Netherlands.

MARK also plans to expand its urban logistics platform Crossbay, which has secured over 120 high quality last-mile assets since its launch in May 2020 and recently appointed former Mirastar investment director Amos Chia as its head of acquisitions.

Michelle Doran, head of investor relations at MARK, said: “It is a pleasure to join MARK in what is an exciting time for the business.

“The company has strengthened its position in the market after demonstrating its ability to deliver landmark assets and create market-leading platforms such as Crossbay even during challenging circumstances such as a global pandemic.

“Investment managers like MARK, that have a distinct identity, clear strategy and proven track record of delivery, all of which is underpinned by a highly experienced management team, are best positioned to deliver sustained returns for investors through market cycles.”