Columbia Threadneedle launches new real estate partnership with Aegon U.K.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments has formed a strategic real estate partnership with Aegon U.K., a financial services provider specializing in pensions, investments and insurance.

The mandate, a commercial real estate portfolio valued at more than £500 million ($628 million), will be led by Jenny Hewitt, portfolio manager, and James Coke, co-head institutional real estate, and managed by Columbia Threadneedle’s U.K. 120-person real estate team.

“Alternatives is a strategic growth area for Columbia Threadneedle, and its expansion matches our clients’ increasing demand for less liquid, diversified investments,” said Stewart Bennett, global head of alternatives at Columbia Threadneedle Investments. “Our global real estate business remains central to helping us achieve our ambitions as we continue to extend the reach of our alternatives capabilities globally.”