Dexus has appointed chief investment officer Ross Du Vernet as its next chief executive, succeeding the long-serving Darren Steinberg and leading the ASX-listed landlord through a period of volatility in the commercial property sector.

Mr Steinberg will step down in March next year to make way for Mr Du Vernet, who will be seen as a steady hand at the tiller with more than a decade at Dexus already.