Brady Welch is stepping in as interim chief executive officer of Slate Office Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in place of the departing Steve Hodgson. Welch is the co-founder of Slate Asset Management and will apply 30 years of industry experience to his additional role.

“With the global office sector facing significant headwinds, Brady’s decades of experience navigating through various economic cycles in Canada, the U.S. and Europe will help us further strengthen the REIT’s position to execute on our strategy for long-term performance,” says Monty Baker, chair of Slate Office REIT’s board of directors.

“I believe we are well-positioned to navigate the headwinds facing the office sector,” Welch says. “Slate Office REIT has grown into a stable, global platform with a portfolio of high-quality office real estate.”

Welch has also served as a trustee of the REIT’s board since its inception and will continue to do so during his interim tenure in the C-suite. Hodgson is stepping down to pursue other opportunities as of May 12.

“Steve was instrumental in navigating the REIT through the challenges of the pandemic and driving the early execution of the REIT’s ongoing repositioning strategy,” Baker says. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”