Lend Lease Execs Heading Back Down Under

SYDNEY-Lend Lease Corp. Ltd. is moving its CEO and finance director back home now that the exit from its US Real Estate Investments operations is virtually complete. CEO Greg Clarke and finance director Joanne Curin will relocate to Sydney effective July 1.Clarke says the move comes now that Lend Lease is well established in its key markets. “After 15 months in the job, I am satisfied that we have the right senior management teams and business profile in place in each of the regions,” he says. “While it was important for the CEO’s office to be in the UK as Lend Lease set out to establish its overseas operations, we have always been aware that it is important for the CEO and senior management to stay closely in touch with investors.”Lend Lease says it is in the final stages of refining its growth capital and management strategies to maximize shareholder value. “I am excited about the opportunities for Lend Lease, and I am looking forward to elaborating on our strategy in due course,” says Clarke.Last week, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported that a merger was being considered between Lend Lease and General Property Trust, of which Lend Lease owns a 7% stake. Lend Lease rival Westfield Holdings recently announced plans to combine three different entities.