Rowsley, a major real estate developer in Iskandar and owner of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, has appointed Mr Lock Wai Han as group chief executive officer with effect from Nov 1.

Mr Lock, 46, who will report to Rowsley executive chairman Ho Tat Kin and the board of directors, was chief executive of CapitaMalls Asia (China).

He brings with him extensive knowledge and experience in integrated real estate development projects and in the management and development of talents and organisations, Rowsley said in a statement.

"With the completion of the two substantial acquisitions, we are now focused on executing our business plans and creating long-term value for our shareholders," Dr Ho said.

He was refering to two major acquisitions that have turned Rowsley from an investment holding company with market value of $140 million into a development, design, engineering and town-planning business with market value in excess of $1.3 billion.

The acquisitions for RSP, Singapore's leading architecture, engineering and town planning practice, and a 9.23-hectare land in Iskandar, were completed this month following the issue of shares to the vendors and bonus warrants to existing shareholders.

Prior to joining Rowsley, Mr Lock was based in Beijing as CEO of CapitaMalls Asia (China), where he strengthened the company's position as a leading shopping mall developer, owner and manager of quality retail properties in China.

Under his two-year leadership, the total gross retail area of CMA China increased by almost 40 per cent to 6.34 million square metres and asset value grew almost 50 per cent to 79.9 billion yuan.

Before his stint at CMA China, Mr Lock worked in the Singapore's public sector for more than 20 years including as Commissioner, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, director, Criminal Investigations Department and Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications & the Arts, as well as held directorships in International Enterprise Singapore and other statutory boards.