Co-founder and deputy chairman, ARA Asset Management
ARA Asset Management co-founder and deputy chairman John Lim is a 40-year veteran of the real estate industry with a number of notable accolades under his belt, bestowed by the likes of Ernst & Young and the Singapore Business Awards.
Prior to his role as deputy chairman of ARA, Lim was Group CEO for 18 years, since co-founding the firm. ARA Asset Management was valued at $1.8 billion when it was privatised in 2017; its shareholders include China’s AVIC Trust, American private equity firm Warburg Pincus, The Straits Trading Company and CK Asset Holdings.
The firm acquired a strategic stake in Australian-based Cromwell Property Group in 2018, and in Japan’s Kenedix a year earlier. The former is envisioned as a launching point for the group to make forays into Europe, while the latter is to tap on the inbound and outbound capital in the Asian market.
Lim is also chairman and non-executive director of Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Services and Logos Group, and non-executive director of The Land Managers Development Singapore. He chairs the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association, the Consultative Committee to the Department of Real Estate at the National University of Singapore, and Lim Hoon Foundation, which was established in honour of his late father in support of education. He is also a patron of the Jurong Spring Citizens’ Consultative Committee and the Securities Investors Association of Singapore, and a council member of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Awards
2011
Outstanding CEO of the Year (Singapore Business Awards)
2012
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
2012
Best Managed Board (Gold) Award (Singapore Corporate Awards)
2016
Industry Figure of the Year, Asia (PERE Global Awards)
2017
Public Service Medal
Did You Know?
ARA Asset Management has clinched over 300 industry awards and accolades since 2005.