ULI Appoints Global Chair

Peter Ballon, Global Chair, Urban Land Institute. Image courtesy of the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute has appointed its new global chair: Peter Ballon, global head of real estate for CPP Investments, will move into the voluntary role for a two-year term.

Ballon replaces Owen Thomas, CEO of Boston Properties, who held the position for the past two years. In his new role, Ballon will provide member leadership, focused on the institute’s current mission priorities which include decarbonization, education and housing.

In addition to Ballon’s appointment, ULI elected five members to its global board of directors:

• Benjamin Cha, chief executive at Grosvenor, Hong Kong
• Jon Geanakos, executive managing director at JLL Capital Markets
• Faron Hill, president of Peregrine Oak
• Teng Chye Khoo, professor at the National University of Singapore
• Kavindi Wickremage, managing director at Bain Capital

During the next three years, ULI will focus on targeting net zero emissions and decarbonizing real estate, educating market leaders and increasing housing supply at a global level. Plans call for achieving an initial 50 percent carbon reduction from a 2009 baseline, with an eye on achieving net zero carbon by 2050. The institute will also continue its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.