Liberty Properties on Thursday announced the appointment of two of the country's most respected property professionals to its senior management team.

Industry stalwarts Maurice Mdlolo and Julie Hillary have joined the company with effect from 1 February 2010; Mdlolo as Chief Operating Officer and Hillary as General Manager: Sandton City Region.

With a wealth of experience in the property sector between them, both candidates will have a significant influence on Liberty's strategic growth strategies.

Commenting on the appointments, CEO Samuel Ogbu says: 'It may seem a clich but it is an often overlooked truth that any company is only as good as its people.

'At Liberty Properties, we are working to build a great business that people want to invest in, work for and buy from.

'Both personalities bring tremendous value to our business and will complement our already notable skills set.'

As Chief Operating Officer, Mdlolo will be responsible for the day to day management of the property management (including facilities), leasing and property development units.

With a twenty year track-record, this Unisa economics graduate is a recognised specialist in the retail arena.

He joins Liberty from Broll Property Group where he was the Group Executive Director responsible for the retail operation as well as CEO of Akhona Broll Properties.

He has previously held senior positions at Motseng Marriott, Woolworths, Eskom and Caltex Oil.

Says Mdlolo: 'Liberty Properties has been part of the South African property landscape for over four decades and I am looking forward to taking an active role in its business ambition to be the leading property brand in Africa.'

Hillary will lend her well-established property prowess to the Sandton City brand.

With a mandate to drive a comprehensive strategy for the Sandton node (including Nelson Mandela Square), a key immediate task will be to manage the impact of the extensive development work currently taking place at Sandton.

On her new role, Hillary says: 'Sandton City is known as the pre-eminent shopping and lifestyle destination on the African continent, and I am motivated with plans to retain and build on this status'.

Hillary was formerly MD of property management company, Finlay & Associates and can claim the first woman presidency of the South African Council of Shopping Centres as one of her many accomplishments, a position she continues to hold unanimously on Thursday.