DWS UK CEO Jessica Hardman Leaves to Co-Found Real Estate Venture with Downing
10 JUL, 2024
By Jose Luis Palmer from RankiaPro Europe
Jessica Hardman, former CEO of DWS UK, has teamed up with Downing to co-found Aboria Capital, a new real estate investment management business. This move marks a significant shift in her career as she transitions from leading a major asset management firm to launching a new venture focused on real estate.
Aboria Capital's Mission and Strategy
Aboria Capital aims to leverage Downing's 35-year experience in UK real estate development to manage and develop a £1.6bn pipeline. This includes ten projects set to be developed across the UK in 2025 and 2026. The new company will focus on identifying and capitalizing on opportunities within the UK real estate market, driving growth and delivering value to investors.
Jessica Hardman's Role
In her new role at Aboria Capital, Hardman will be responsible for pushing through Downing's extensive pipeline of projects. Her leadership will be crucial in steering the company through its initial phases and ensuring the successful development and management of its real estate assets.
Career Background
Jessica Hardman brings a wealth of experience to Aboria Capital. She spent over seven years at DWS, starting as head of the European portfolio management team in October 2017. During her tenure, she oversaw global and European funds and managed international clients' separate account strategies. In June 2023, she was appointed as the UK CEO of DWS, managing €200bn in assets under management (AUM) across DWS's global strategies. Before her time at DWS, Hardman worked for more than 13 years at Deutsche Bank.
Impact and Outlook
Hardman's move to Aboria Capital represents a significant development in the real estate investment management sector. Her extensive experience and proven track record in managing large portfolios and leading strategic initiatives are expected to contribute significantly to Aboria Capital's success. With a robust pipeline of projects and the backing of Downing's established presence in the UK real estate market, Aboria Capital is well-positioned to make a substantial impact.
The UK and European living sector continue to be the most favoured sector by international investors, especially where managers can offer the benefits of a vertically integrated value chain across both the investment and operational disciplines
Jessica Hardman
Downing's executive director Bay Downing argued it was the 'right time to launch Aboria Capital'. 'We look forward to sharing more about our plans for this exciting venture in the near future.'
