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Global investment manager CB Richard Ellis Investors has announced the appointment of a new three-strong team to lead its Continental European operations. The move, with immediate effect, was sparked by the resignation of CBRE Investors' former president and CEO, Thibault de Valence and François Lex, which decided to pursue new entrepreneurial endeavours.

Peter DiCorpo, currently Chief Operating Officer of the group, will take the helm of CBRE Investors in Continental Europe. Ho joined the group in 2008 and has since been involved in the company's global operations. He will also chair the company's Pan-European management board.

Managing director Christine Sonnier has been promoted to co-Directeur Général of Continental Europe, being responsible for the investment operations. She joined CBRE Investors in 2002 with responsibility over the company's investments in France and Italy. Her colleague Jérôme Castelnau will take the position of co-Directeur Général for Continental Europe. In this capacity, he will be responsible for the day-to-day management. He has been working with CBRE Investors since 2001 with control over the residential and hotel sectors.

Alltogether, DiCorpo, Sonnier and Castelnau will be responsible for all of CBRE Investors' activities in Continental Europe and will lead a 70 staff across six offices in the region. Christine Sonnier told PropertyEU: 'We decided to create a joint executive team to cover all responsibilities. Continental Europe continues to be a priority in the global strategy of CBRE Investors'.

In Europe, CBRE Investors is believed to be raising funds for the launch of two core investment funds, one focusing on the French market and a second with a pan-European approach. Industry sources indicate that the mid-sized pan-European vehicle had a first closing a few weeks ago. The fund will focus on fully-let office assets in main European cities and in particular in the Ile-de-France region, as well as in Rome, Milan, Brussels and Frankfurt.