Smaller boutique managers winning private capital with localised knowledge

BETTER value, local networks and specialised knowledge. These are some of the reasons smaller private markets might outperform even as the industry favours larger managers.

“It’s not really about the size of the manager; it’s about the skills of the manager,” said Robert Ides, co-founder of European real estate specialist Arete Investment Group. “I’ve seen mandates changing from large to niche managers.”

Ides’ firm, Arete, has partnered Singapore-based fund manager Euro Asia Asset Management to offer regional investors access to European industrial properties.