Hermes Investment Management has hired Philip Nell as fund director in Hermes Real Estate, effective July 20.

Based in London, Nell will report directly into Chris Taylor, CEO, Hermes Real Estate and will have responsibility alongside Taylor in building further strategic partnerships and joint ventures for Hermes Real Estate.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Philip to Hermes. Philip’s wealth of knowledge and 20 plus years of industry experience will play an integral role in further growing our real estate business,” said Taylor.

Nell will be fund manager of the UK Private Rental Sector fund which Hermes has developed alongside lettings and property management agency Countrywide, and responsible for portfolio construction and fund performance.

The fund will support the building of much needed high-quality, well maintained and professionally managed homes in places where they are needed most

Nell joins from Aviva Investors, where he was most recently head of European retail funds with responsibility for over £2.5bn ($3.85bn) of assets. He is a member of the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors, the Academic Faculty of the Investment Property Forum, and the Regulations Committee of the Association of Real Estate Funds.