Chang's appointment sees the firm strengthen its longstanding commitment to ESG, and will ensure new initiatives focused on addressing carbon emissions and social equity across the built environment are embedded across Europe and for the benefit of its clients.

Chang, who previously held the role of managing director, portfolio management at Hines, will be seated in London, working across Europe and as part of Hines’ wider global ESG team, which is led by global head of ESG, Peter Epping, who was appointed to the role in June this year.

Lars Huber, CEO Europe at Hines commented: 'Investors and occupiers alike are looking to accelerate their approach to ESG with the knowledge that immediate action needs to be taken to help the environment and create better communities for people to live, work, play and stay.

'In recent years Daniel has played an integral leadership role in embedding sustainability across our funds, and this new elevated role will help our mission to drive our ESG strategy further forward and build on the good work we’ve already achieved.'

Chang began his career at Hines in July 1999 as an assistant construction manager, transitioning into development management and eventually into portfolio management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Maryland and an MBA and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University.

Over the last several years Chang has played an instrumental role in spearheading the Hines European Core Fund’s (HECF) drive to become a sustainability leader, with the fund being consistently recognised for achieving the highest standards by GRESB, the leading ESG benchmark for real estate and infrastructure investments across the world.

In his new role, Chang he will be responsible for driving a comprehensive ESG agenda across the Hines Europe platform – coordinating carbon reduction standards and initiatives, such as the net zero strategy for the Hines European Core Fund, defining social programmes that foster meaningful engagement with stakeholders, and ensure adoption of transparent and accountable governance frameworks, such as GRESB and The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Said Chang: 'I’m excited to head up the ESG agenda at Hines in Europe at a moment where the urgency and need for action has become increasingly clear.

'The real estate sector has a pivotal role to play in mitigating the impact of climate change and creating healthy and resilient communities and, as such, at Hines we view ESG as an integral part of our approach to delivering future-proofed buildings that are also capable of delivering financial performance.

'More than ever, we have seen that this resonates particularly with our investors and occupiers alike, who have been stepping-up their ESG focus. At Hines, we have a long-term desire and commitment to ensure ESG is at the front and center of real estate decision making and we will continue to embed it into the business and set ambitious targets for our ourselves and our projects.'