Aviva Investors has appointed Ed Casal to head up its global real estate operations.

Aviva Investors, the asset management arm of London-based Aviva, has appointed Ed Casal to succeed Ian Womack as chief executive, global real estate.

Womack will leave Aviva Investors at the end of June after 15 years in the role.

Casal will take on the new role from his current position as managing director of global indirect real estate at Aviva Investors. He has also served as the firm's chief investment officer, real estate manager. He will now sit on Aviva Investors' executive committee.

Meanwhile, Bart Coenraads, the firm's head of Asia global real estate multi manager, will take on the leadership of global indirect real estate.

“Real estate is a key component of our aim to deliver outcome-orientated solutions for our clients. As we continue to invest in our capabilities and strategies, I am confident that Ed brings the qualities necessary to take the real estate business forward,” said Euan Munro, chief executive at Aviva Investors.

As of the end of last year, Aviva Investors managed £246 billion ($380 billion) of assets globally.