Knoflach currently serves as deputy chief executive and global head of investment management of BNP Paribas Real Estate, where she is in charge of the strategy of the business unit. Previously, she spent more than 20 years at SEB, most recently as chair of SEB Asset Management.

Geller, a partner at HQ Trust, has overseen the equity fund manager selection for HQ Trust since October 2011, having previously worked at UBS for seven years.

Knoflach and Geller join existing board members Gabriele Quandt, Axel May and chairman Thomas Jetter, expanding the group to five members.

HQ Capital manages around $6 billion in private equity investments and $6 billion in assets within its real estate business.