Kore US Reit names new board director

Kore US Reit Management announced the appointment of Lau Hwei Lynn as an independent non‑executive director, effective July 31. She will also sit on the audit and risk committee and the ESG committee.

Background on the REIT and its board

Kore US Reit Management, listed on the Singapore Exchange, was formerly known as Keppel Pacific Oak US Reit. The trust provides investors worldwide a direct stake in commercial properties located across the United States. The name “Kore” reflects the original Keppel Office Real Estate focus.

Following the appointment, the board will consist of seven directors, five of whom are independent. Peter McMillan III will continue as chairman and will also serve as a non‑executive, non‑independent director. The composition aims to balance oversight with industry expertise.

Lau Hwei Lynn’s experience and previous roles

Lau, 56, brings more than three decades of experience in financial services, covering private equity, business management and capital raising in Asia and Europe. Her résumé includes a recent stint as managing director and chief financial officer for Southeast Asia at Warburg Pincus Singapore, a position she held until June 2026. In that role, she worked closely with the Asia real‑estate team on portfolio oversight and capital‑raising initiatives.

Before joining Warburg Pincus, Lau was CFO and a board director at 65 Equity Partners, a Temasek‑backed global investment firm. There she helped launch the firm’s first ESG assessment framework, indicating early engagement with sustainability criteria. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership positions at American International Group (AIG) and served on the board of AIG APAC Holdings. She also sat on the boards of Legal & General Group and Standard Life, now known as Aberdeen Group.

Her academic credentials include an executive MBA from London Business School and a bachelor of accountancy with second‑upper honours from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Lau is a chartered accountant registered with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants.

Adding an experienced director like Lau may help the trust manage the complex regulatory environment of cross‑border real‑estate investments. Her track record in building investment platforms and leading fundraising efforts could be valuable as the REIT seeks to expand its capital base and improve governance standards.

Current portfolio and financial snapshot

As of December 31 2025, Kore’s portfolio comprised 13 freehold office buildings and business campuses spread across eight key growth markets in the United States. The combined asset value stood at US$1.3 billion, with a total net lettable area exceeding 4.8 million square feet.

The trust’s focus on freehold office properties aligns with investor demand for stable, long‑term income streams. By maintaining a diversified presence across multiple markets, Kore aims to mitigate location‑specific risks while capitalizing on regional economic growth.

In the broader context, the appointment reflects a trend among listed REITs to strengthen board independence and ESG oversight. As investors increasingly scrutinize sustainability practices, having a director with direct experience in ESG framework development may enhance the trust’s credibility with capital providers.

The upcoming fiscal year will test how effectively the new director integrates into existing committees. The audit and risk committee will benefit from her financial background, while the ESG committee may see deeper integration of sustainability metrics into asset management decisions.

Shareholders will assess the impact at the AGM.