Toronto-based Fiera Properties Ltd. Tuesday announced the appointment of veteran industry executive Peter Cuthbert as senior vice president and partner. He will initially be focused on the establishment of the new Fiera Properties CORE Fund and will serve as the fund manager.

Fiera Properties is real estate investment management company that provides opportunities to invest in real property to institutions, foundations and endowments, and high net worth investors. It is an affiliate of Montreal-based Fiera Capital Corporation (TSX: FSZ).

Cuthbert is an investment manager with 26 years of real estate industry experience. Prior to his appointment, he was the head of Canadian real estate for Standard Life Investments. In his previous role Cuthbert was instrumental in building a successful open-ended real estate fund with more than $1 billion in assets under management. He has also held positions of increasing responsibility at a large investment advisory firm, and one of Canada’s largest REITs.

He rounds out an eight-member team of investment professionals with a proven record of strong investment performance led by CEO Stuart Lazier and President Robert Roy.

Cuthbert says that there is a shortage of products for investors seeking the benefits of commercial real estate. As a result, investor needs are not being met, he says.

“We are excited about the addition of Peter to this experienced and highly credible management team as we introduce real estate investment strategies to our clients,” says Jean-Guy Desjardins, chairman, CEO and CIO of Fiera Capital. “Fiera Properties now has the team that will enable us to take a leading position in the real estate investment management business.”