ING Real Estate has announced that David Blight has resigned for family reasons from the management board and as chief executive of its real estate investment management business to return to Australia.

He will be leaving the company at the end of August but will remain connected with ING Real Estate in his role as a non-executive director of its Australian listed funds.

'It is with much regret that I have tendered my resignation,' Blight says. 'I have greatly enjoyed my time at ING Real Estate, and it is pleasing to leave knowing the business is in good shape. I look forward to continuing to work with the company as a director of its Australian listed funds.'

George Jautze, chief executive of ING Real Estate, adds: 'David has made an enormous contribution to the growth of the business and the management board, and I wish him and his family well for the future.'

Blight has overseen the growth and development of the real estate investment management business since 2005, a period during which the company has developed a fully integrated global platform, expanded into new regions and into new asset types and product offerings.

It has attracted an increasing number of investors with an emphasis on cross-border investment. ING Real Estate says it will make an announcement about Blight's replacement nearer the time of his departure.