SINGAPORE - The chief executive of the recently-merged Ascendas-Singbridge will join the board of Ascendas Real Estate Investment Trust (A-Reit) with effect from Friday (Jan 1).

Mr Miguel Ko, 62, will join the board of Ascendas Funds Management as vice-chairman and non-executive director.

Current vice-chairman Manohar Khiatani will relinquish his vice-chairmanship on Friday and remain as a non-executive director, the Reit said in a statement to the Singapore Exchange on Wednesday (Dec 30) morning.

Another board member, Mr Teo Eng Cheong, will be re-designated as a non-executive director, following his new appointment as chief executive of international operations at Surbana Jurong announced earlier this month.

Mr Teo was formerly the chief executive of International Enterprise Singapore and an independent director of the Reit manager.

After the reshuffle, the Reit manager's board will comprise 10 members, six of whom are independent directors, including chairman Koh Soo Keong.

Mr Koh said: "We are very pleased to welcome Miguel on board and look forward to his contributions and insights. Miguel is well-regarded by, and closely connected with business leaders and networks around the Asia-Pacific region and A-Reit could leverage on this, in seeking out new investment opportunities."