Our approach to real estate investment
We focus on targeted locations and sectors, developing a deep knowledge of local markets, building strong relationships with key players and providing access to selected real estate opportunities.
Our team’s technical expertise combined with environmental, social and governance (ESG) integration, allows us to create value for investors in European real estate. We have proven advantages in terms of market access, and in our ability to deploy capital quickly and efficiently.
Benefits
Direct, thematic investors
We are direct investors, utilising our extensive network to source opportunities across real estate equity and debt, at different points on the risk spectrum. Our reputation as a trusted counterparty in the European real estate market means we see a significant volume of “off-market” opportunities. We combine in-house expertise with specialist platforms to create long-term pipeline and scale.
Market reputation and reach
We have over five decades’ experience in UK and European real estate. Our research-led, thematic approach to investing allows us to be disciplined in originating and executing transactions, in opportunities we believe will deliver the best risk-adjusted returns for our clients. Rigorous relative value analysis is an essential part of our portfolio construction process.
Proprietary approach to ESG
As a leader in sustainable real assets, real estate has a critical role to play in contributing to the climate transition, with our ambition to achieve net zero by 2040 and creating a more socially equitable society. Our award-winning product suite and investment capabilities provide our clients with access to responsible investment solutions. We have pioneered proprietary tools, such as our Sustainable Transition Loans framework, to ensure responsible investment is truly embedded at the heart of our investment process for both debt and equity.
Key risks of real estate strategies
Real estate risk
Investments can be made in real estate, infrastructure and illiquid assets. Investors may not be able to switch or cash in an investment when they want to because real estate may not always be readily saleable. If this is the case we may defer a request to switch or cash in shares or units. Investors should also bear in mind that the valuation of real estate is generally a matter of valuers’ opinion rather than fact.
Strategies in focus
Sustainable real assets in the spotlight
Just when we thought things were returning to normal after the social, economic and market upheaval caused by the pandemic, the events of 2022 presented new challenges for investors. It was in that context in late 2022 that we took the pulse of key investment decision makers at 500 institutional investors representing a combined $3.5 trillion of assets on their appetite for real assets, including those with a sustainable focus. Read the results in our Real Assets Study 2023.
Need more information?
For further information, please contact our investment sales team.
Real estate team
Ben Sanderson
Managing Director, Real Estate
Gregor Bamert
Head of Real Estate Debt
Renos Booth
Head of Real Estate Long Income
Explore our real assets range
Real assets views
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Changing course: Creating a stable investment framework for offshore wind
30 Nov 2023
Better market mechanisms and grid connection arrangements are essential to restore a stable investment environment in the offshore wind sector, as Nick Molho explains.
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Illiquidity premia in real assets: Q3 2023
17 Nov 2023
Our real assets research team crunch the data to see how evolving macro conditions are reflected in private market returns.
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It’s time to think about nature: Biodiversity and real estate funding
1 Nov 2023
Although the consideration of biodiversity risks remains limited for most assets so far, their longer-term impact is undeniable and needs to be considered when funding real estate.
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Against the current: Seeking resilience in real estate equity
19 Oct 2023
A broad-based recovery in UK and European real estate looks unlikely in 2023, but discerning investors can still find value, say Imogen Ebbs and George Fraser-Harding.
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Rates, repricing and relative value: The outlook for multi-asset real assets
11 Oct 2023
James Tarry and Luke Layfield from our multi-asset real assets portfolio management team discuss the outlook for real estate and infrastructure and how shifts in UK climate policy may affect the push for net zero.
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As one door closes… How changes in long income are creating value opportunities
3 Oct 2023
Renos Booth, Isabel Gossling and Kris McPhail from our real estate long income team discuss the importance of selectivity to uncover opportunities and how new buyers can fill the void left by DB pension schemes.
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Relative value in real assets: Q2 2023
14 Sep 2023
Our real assets research team drill into proprietary data to compare risk and return across sectors, drawing out those showing most relative value.
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Deals delayed and crowded trades…But investors can still find value in infrastructure debt
4 Sep 2023
Private infrastructure debt still offers a broad spectrum of opportunities, but investors face complex challenges. In this Q&A, our infrastructure debt team contemplate the current state of the market and where it goes from here.
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Tipping points and transformation: Getting on the right side of change
16 Aug 2023
Rapid changes in the global economy could tip some sectors into low-carbon phases faster than incumbents expect, with important investment implications.
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Breaking ground: Opportunities in life-sciences real estate
3 Aug 2023
In this article, we look at the strong fundamentals of this emerging asset class, as well as the opportunities and challenges for investors.
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Methane: Heating up
25 Jul 2023
Methane is the second most important gas contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide, but its warming potential is many times greater. Mikhaila Crosby explains why addressing emissions is a key priority.
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Waiting games and funding gaps: A mixed picture for real estate debt
14 Jul 2023
The higher rates regime is testing borrowers everywhere. Gregor Bamert considers the implications for real estate debt.
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Plug in and power up: How EV-charging infrastructure can help future-proof real assets portfolios
28 Jun 2023
As the transition away from petrol-powered cars to electric vehicles accelerates, demand for charging points is rising. We explore the implications for investors in real assets.
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Flex appeal: Could private debt investors be set for a once in a generation opportunity?
9 Jun 2023
Ewan Macaulay outlines why private debt markets in real assets offer compelling relative-value opportunities, despite macroeconomic uncertainty.
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Can they, should they, will they? Is now the time for illiquid assets in DC?
31 May 2023
What role could private assets play in UK defined-contribution pension schemes, where decision-makers are searching for returns and diversification? Heather Brown from our UK pensions team consults a panel of specialists.
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When the tide goes out
26 May 2023
Ben Sanderson explains why polarisation in real estate investment performance is only going to increase from here.
