AREIT, Inc. has named Eduardo Javier “Javi” P. Carballo as its new chief operating officer (COO), a move that comes as the real estate investment trust (REIT) works to expand its portfolio and strengthen its financing capabilities.

AREIT, sponsored by Ayala Land, Inc., was the first REIT to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange when it made its debut in August 2020, helping open the country’s REIT market, which has since grown to include more than a dozen listed trusts.

In a statement issued Thursday, AREIT said Mr. Carballo will assume the position on Sept. 7 and will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Alberto “Albert” M. de Larrazabal.

Mr. Carballo brings to AREIT more than two decades of experience in debt capital markets, treasury, investment banking, and corporate financing, with a track record spanning Asia-Pacific, the United States, Europe, and emerging markets, the company said.

Most recently, he served as managing director and head of debt capital markets for Southeast Asia and India at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank in Singapore, a role he held from 2022 until June 2026. Earlier in his tenure at the bank, Mr. Carballo headed its debt capital markets operations in Hong Kong and held a senior origination role in New York.

According to AREIT, his responsibilities will include supporting the company’s financing strategy, portfolio management, governance, and organizational operations as it grows and diversifies its funding sources.

The hire comes as Philippine REITs have increasingly tapped capital markets — including bond offerings and sustainability-linked financing — to fund asset acquisitions, a trend that aligns with Mr. Carballo’s background in green, sustainability-linked, and transition financing.

“AREIT has established a strong position as the country’s first REIT. As we enter our next phase, we need to build the capabilities to match our ambition and scale. Javi brings deep expertise in capital markets and financing, as well as a strong understanding of institutional investors and financial markets,” Mr. De Larrazabal said.

He added that Mr. Carballo’s background in capital markets and financing would support AREIT as it works with institutional investors and develops its business.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Carballo has worked on approximately $20 billion worth of bond transactions and another $20 billion in loan financings, AREIT said. His experience also includes green, sustainability-linked, and transition financing transactions in Asia.

“We have always believed that the strength of a REIT is not only in the quality of its assets, but also in how effectively it manages capital and creates value over the long term,” Mr. De Larrazabal said.

“Strengthening our organization with this depth of capital markets expertise positions AREIT to continue building on its strong foundation,” he added.

On Thursday, AREIT shares rose 0.27% to close at P36.80 apiece. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno