European property consultancy Catella is expanding in the UK and on the continent with the acquisition of specialist investment adviser Skinners and a majority stake in Dutch company Equity Estate BV.
Gordon Wood, managing director of Catella Property Consultants in the UK, said: “The integration of the two firms – Skinners and Catella – gives an extra dimension to the UK business and adds to the full service that Catella provides throughout Europe. Skinners is recognised for the quality of its individuals and we are delighted to have taken them on board.”
Equity Estate creates investment opportunities primarily for private investors through the establishment of property based funds. Stefan Lennhammer, group chief executive of Catella Property Consultants, said: “EE’s business mission is a natural development of Catella’s operations. Our customers require not only investment opportunities but also professional analysis of the tax implications arising from transactions, and we can now offer this service via Equity Estate.”
Skinners has up to £200m of funds under management, including clients such as Cornhill, Merchant Investors, Rothmans Pension Fund and Allianz. Catella’s asset management profile includes NCC, InterIkea and the National Pension Fund of Sweden.
David Skinner, who along with Trevor Brown, will join Catella’s board in the UK, said: “We see the move as an opportunity to continue our brand of personal partner service to our longstanding institutional, investment and occupational clients. This will now be enhanced by Catella’s specialist departments and research facilities in London and Manchester and throughout their European network.”
EGi News 23/09/98
