Two Australians have taken charge at ESR, one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest property investors with a $215 billion portfolio and which has just been taken private by a consortium led by US group Starwood Capital.

Under the new ownership, ESR’s newly promoted top executive, in the role of president, is Phil Pearce. Previously the group’s deputy chief executive and also running ESR’s Australian operations, Pearce will now be responsible for ESR’s day-to-day operations. He joined the group in 2017 and is well-known in the property industry, after senior positions at Goodman Group and roles at Ascendas REIT in Singapore and AMP Capital.