As from 16 January, Danish Christian Fladeland will be new the CIO of Heimstaden, according to a press release.

Fladeland was previously a partner at commercial real estate agent Colliers.

In 2018 Colliers acquired commercial real estate agent Sadolin & Albæk in which Christian Fladeland was a partner.

"Losing a valuable employee is always a shame. That being said, we understand that Christian accepts a top job at one of Northern Europe's largest real estate agents, even one of our great customers," says Peter Winther, CEO and partner at Colliers International Denmark, in the press release.

"He began as a student with us, and the fact that he, at the age of 32 and with his talent, but also with the opportunities we gave him, has qualified for such a job, pleases me a lot," he says.

Fladeland started work at Sadolin & Albæk 12 years ago and transferred to Collier's partner group in connection with the acquisition.

"In spite of his young age, Christian is known as one of the strongest personalities of the business. He will boost Heimstaden's team as a cross between Zlatan and Messi. It doesn't get any better than that," says Patrik Hall, CEO of Heimstaden, in a press release.

In addition to assuming the responsibility for the existing investment arm with 10 employees in Sweden and Norway, Fladeland will spearhead a new investment arm for the entire Heimstaden group in Copenhagen and hire 10-12 employees more in 2019, says the press release.

The ambition is to build Europe's strongest investment group for both acquisitions and development of properties. Firstly, focus will be on Scandinavia and Northern Europe, however, in time other parts of Europe and the world will be covered by the investment arm, writes Heimstaden, which is controlled by Norwegian billionaire Ivar Tollefsen.

English Edit: Lisa Castey Hall Nielsen