Goodman Fund of Funds Reaches Target of 250 Million Euros

Goodman Property Investors announced that its eurozone fund of hedge funds is on course to reach its equity targets after hitting €250 million ($344.8 million) since launching a year ago.

The Goodman Group international property investment management business is set to achieve its €300 million ($413.7 million) equity target within a 12 to 24 month timeframe from its July 2006 inception.

The fund has returned 9.6% so far this year, with 24 investors of predominantly UK and Continental European pension funds. The majority of the investments are in specialist sector and/or geographically focused funds.

The fund is managed by Karin van der Sluijs who is based in Goodman’s Amsterdam office. The fund’s portfolio provides a balanced exposure to the traditional office, retail and industrial sectors combined with investments in some specialist sectors such as residential and car parking, the majority of the Karin van der Sluijs managed fund’s investments are in specialist sector and geographically focused funds.

Andrew Smith, head of indirect investment at Goodman Property Investors, said: "The success of the Eurozone Fund of Funds demonstrates the increased appetite from European pension funds for investing in property outside their domestic market. It also shows many of these are finding that the fund of funds route is the best way to achieve better diversification as it allows them to access a number of specialist managers who can leverage specific opportunities in a range of countries and sectors.”

“It also shows many of these are finding that the fund of funds route is the best way to achieve better diversification as it allows them to access a number of specialist managers who can leverage specific opportunities in a range of countries and sectors,” Andrew says.

“One of the key selling points of the fund has been the strong investment pipeline we have secured. “This highlights the benefit of having people on the ground with the local knowledge and experience to seek out these specialist managers.”