Our approach
As one of Europe’s largest managers of real assets, with over 340 specialists across five locations, our platform has the scale to access the full depth and breadth of real asset markets. This enables us to deploy capital in an efficient and disciplined manner. Our diverse capabilities allow us to deliver the best outcomes for our clients. We do this through pooled or bespoke solutions, as well as giving clients the opportunity to co-invest with Aviva Group.
Connected thinking
Our more than 80 credit specialists have developed a deep understanding of market drivers. Their insights drive our conviction calls, identify relative value across the range of our real asset investments, and allow us to optimise portfolio construction, to build portfolios that aim to deliver the outcomes our clients require.
Responsibility built in
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations are embedded throughout our investment process – from origination through to due diligence and approvals to development, management and enhanced reporting. Our Global Responsible Investment team provides support and advice on all aspects of ESG.
Webcast: Real Assets & ESG
Watch our webinar in which our panel of experts discuss how real asset investments can play a pivotal role in helping us achieve the UK and EU 2050 net-zero emissions targets, while aiming to deliver a positive contribution to investment portfolios.
Strategies in focus
Real Assets Study
Find out how European institutional investor appetite for real assets is developing against an uncertain political and economic outlook, supply constraints, and the increasing importance of ESG.
Key risks
Illiquidity risk
Where funds are invested in real estate / infrastructure and illiquid private assets, you may not be able to switch or cash in your investment when you want because real estate in the fund may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case we may defer your request to switch or cash in your units.
Real assets team
Mark Versey
Chief Investment Officer, Real Assets
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Barry Fowler
Managing Director, Alternative Income
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Daniel McHugh
Managing Director, Real Estate Investments
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Darryl Murphy
Managing Director, Infrastructure
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Chris Urwin
Director of Research, Real Assets
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Melanie Collett
Head of UK Asset Management
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Mark Meiklejon
Head of Real Asset Investment Specialists
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Need more information?
For further information, please contact our investment sales team.
Real assets views
Fibre broadband: The need for speed
9 Sep 2020
Lockdown measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of digital connectivity. Tim Perry looks at the investment opportunities and challenges associated with European economies transitioning from copper to faster fibre broadband networks.
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Swipe right: The Tinder effect on real estate
24 Aug 2020
It can be hard to perceive how society, and consequently our use of real estate, is changing. Sometimes, major structural trends are hiding in plain sight, says Chris Urwin.
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Five charts that show Manchester is a city of the future
20 Aug 2020
In this short, visual article we present five charts that show why Manchester is such a rich, vibrant and economically prosperous city. Our view is that the ingredients of connectivity, culture, talent, scale and scientific heritage make the city well-equipped to thrive in the coming years and decades.
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The new rules of client engagement
18 Aug 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic reshapes our working lives, asset managers must find new ways to interact with their clients, says Apiramy Jeyarajah.
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Electric avenue: EVs and the transformation of autos
13 Aug 2020
In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from our infrastructure, credit research and equity teams discuss why efforts to ‘build back better’ as economies recover from COVID-19 could further accelerate investment in electric vehicles and associated infrastructure.
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Education, entrepreneurship and biological age: An interview with Andrew Scott
6 Aug 2020
In part two of our interview with Professor Andrew Scott from London Business School, we look at how policy will shift to take account of people living for longer and how service providers will respond.
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Longevity, policy and technology: An interview with Andrew Scott
6 Aug 2020
Living longer brings enormous opportunities to reshape how we spend our time. But in the first of a two-part interview, Andrew Scott from London Business School explains how advances in longevity and technology have not been matched by innovation in social structures or our approach to financial planning.
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Reality bites: Retailing in a health crisis
5 Aug 2020
In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, experts from Aviva Investors’ credit, equities and real asset teams discuss the consequences of COVID-19 on the retail sector and their implications for investors.
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How to build back better, greener and faster: A 10-point plan for UK infrastructure
14 Jul 2020
Boris Johnson has called for an ‘infrastructure revolution’ to help lift the UK economy out of its coronavirus-induced malaise. Private capital could and should play a large role alongside the public purse in delivering on that ambition, as Darryl Murphy sets out in a blueprint for the industry.
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Real Estate: The Last Dance for gut feel investing
7 Jul 2020
Commercial property investors could learn a lot from the data-led revolution that has taken place in basketball in recent years, as Chris Urwin explains.
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Real assets and the quest for resilient income
6 Jul 2020
COVID-19 has made life harder for already yield-starved investors, and each asset class faces its own challenges. We draw on the latest thinking from our Real Assets House View and research team to highlight where reliable income sources can still be found in real asset markets.
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Tomorrow’s world: COVID-19 and the long-term future of commercial real estate
29 Jun 2020
Chris Urwin and Jonathan Bayfield look beyond the near-term disruption to real estate to assess the longer-term prospects for the retail, office and logistics sectors.
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What do rising US-China tensions mean for global markets?
24 Jun 2020
In the latest instalment of our editorial series, Link, Aviva Investors experts discuss the prospects for financial markets and the world economy in the face of escalating hostilities between the US and China.
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Defined Benefit pensions de-risking: A covenant and investment view
23 Jun 2020
In the midst of the COVID-19 shock, Felix Mantz from Lincoln Pensions and Joachim Sudre from Aviva Investors explore how defined benefit pension schemes should plan their journey towards an end game and adopt a more holistic approach to risk.
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Defaults, disruption and development: Real assets adjust to the new normal
22 Jun 2020
While lockdown measures gradually start to ease, it is still far from business as usual in the real assets sector. Mark Versey explains the impact for investors.
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Logistics: ‘Last mile’ or further to run?
19 Jun 2020
Following a decade of bumper demand and returns, many experts are questioning whether logistics real estate assets have reached their prime or whether they still have further to run. Vivienne Bolla argues the latter.
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