Derek Williams is director and head of global private real estate at Russell Investments. Based in
San Diego, Derek leads the team and is responsible for all private investments made within Russell
managed funds and separate accounts. He also manages the research function which delivers
fund research to Russell’s consulting and discretionary businesses. Derek joined Russell in 2005. Derek
began his career as a chartered surveyor in London and carried out asset management, valuations
and transactions for UK-based clients. Derek joined Investment Property Databank, the global real
estate benchmarking company, in 1996. Derek managed a team that analysed around $40 billion
of real estate in Europe. In 2001, Derek joined Land Securities plc to set up the research, strategy and
analysis function. Derek reported to the CEO and while there developed a successful investment
strategy on Land Securities’ $12bn+ portfolio.