Cordea Savills, the UK-based international property investment manager, has named Lionel Nicolas as director of investment in Paris.

Nicolas’ appointment follows the addition of Clement Pigott, who joined as head of investment for France and Benelux in March. At the time, the firm said Pigott's appointment reflected the “growing importance” of France to existing and prospective investors, as well as its drive to increase assets under management within the French and Benelux regions.

In Paris, Nicolas is responsible for acquisitions and implementing asset management initiatives for properties in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. He joins from Urban Premium, where he was joint managing director and fund manager of the OPI Urban Retail Invest, a fund focused on French prime retail properties.

Prior to his appointment at Cordea, Nicolas was general manager at Macquarie Countrywide Trust, where he was in charge of €500 million (about $623 million) of assets.