Leadership changes often mark an important moment for investment firms as they prepare for future growth. MetLife Investment Management (MIM) has taken another step in strengthening its real estate business by appointing Chris Aiken as Head of Real Estate Equity Strategies. The appointment places an experienced real estate executive in charge of one of the firm’s key investment platforms and reflects MIM’s continued focus on serving institutional investors through its global real estate business.
Chris Aiken Takes on a New Leadership Role
MetLife Investment Management announced that Chris Aiken has been appointed Head of Real Estate Equity Strategies, effective immediately. He will report to Andrea Drasites, Global Head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance.
In his new role, Aiken will lead MIM’s direct property investment platform. He will oversee investments made for MetLife’s general account as well as for third-party institutional investors. His responsibilities include managing a wide range of investment strategies, including core, core-plus, build-to-core, value-add, and opportunistic real estate investments.
Brian Funk, President of MetLife Investment Management, said Aiken has demonstrated strong leadership and deep market knowledge during his time with the company. He added that Aiken’s experience makes him well positioned to lead the firm’s Real Estate Equity Strategies business.
A Career Built in Real Estate Investing
Before taking on his new position, Aiken served as Head of Acquisitions for MIM’s Real Estate Equity Strategies Group. In that role, he led acquisition and development activities across the United States for investments made on behalf of MetLife and institutional clients.
Prior to joining MetLife Investment Management, Aiken worked as a Managing Director at Safanad, where he managed investment activities across several real estate strategies. Earlier in his career, he held real estate investment roles at BlackRock and Salomon Smith Barney, building experience in acquisitions, development, portfolio management, and capital markets.
Aiken earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Morehouse College and a Master of Science in Real Estate Finance from New York University. He also serves as Co-chair of the Membership Committee for the Real Estate Executive Council and is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Development Mixed-Use Council.
Supporting MetLife’s Real Estate Platform
As Head of Real Estate Equity Strategies, Aiken will oversee the firm’s direct equity real estate investments across multiple property sectors and investment approaches. His appointment follows Andrea Drasites’ recent promotion to Global Head of Real Estate and Agricultural Finance, further strengthening the leadership team overseeing MIM’s real estate business.
MetLife Investment Management provides investment solutions for institutional investors around the world while also managing assets for MetLife’s insurance operations. The firm’s real estate platform combines direct property investments with commercial real estate financing across global markets.
Managing One of the Industry’s Largest Real Estate Platforms
As of March 31, 2026, MetLife Investment Management managed $106.2 billion in real estate assets under management. Across all investment strategies, the firm managed $736.3 billion in total assets under management.
These figures highlight the scale of MIM’s investment business and the importance of the Real Estate Equity Strategies platform within the company’s broader portfolio.
Looking Ahead
Chris Aiken’s appointment represents an important leadership transition for MetLife Investment Management. With years of experience in acquisitions, development, and institutional real estate investing, he will now lead the firm’s Real Estate Equity Strategies business as it continues to manage investments across a broad range of property sectors. The appointment reinforces MIM’s commitment to experienced leadership and disciplined real estate investing for institutional clients.
