Real estate developer Immobel is consolidating its investment management activities across Europe and has appointed Duncan Owen, the former global head of real estate at Schroders, to lead the new business division.

The Belgium-listed firm has appointed Owen CEO of Immobel Capital Partners, the newly launched unit which will be co-investing across the UK and continental Europe. 

Owen will be based in London.

Owen served as global real estate head at Schroders for nine years and subsequently, in 2021, as a special advisor. Prior to Schroders, he was the CEO of Invista Real Estate which he founded and listed on the London Stock Exchange. 

He was recently appointed non-executive adviser at Sellar, the developer behind London’s tallest skyscraper the Shard.

Immobel said the new business division will focus on creating investment strategies in the office and residential sectors and will have a ”strong focus on those urban centres that provide the opportunity to create a new generation of sustainable and smart living and workplace environments close to central business districts”.

Owen said: “I am excited by this unique opportunity to work with Immobel, a renowned real estate developer, to establish and build Immobel Capital Partners.

”The Immobel Group has a strong balance sheet enabling co-investment and many points of differentiation which include its deep and broad market coverage across Europe as well as a market-leading team that specialises in all aspects of development management with a focus on creating a positive ESG impact in cities for people.”

Marnix Galle, executive chairman of Immobel Group, said: “This an exciting step for the group and a natural evolution of our business as we grow and diversify our operations, whilst the strategic direction of future investments aligns with Immobel’s purpose of supporting the cities of the future through sustainable urban development.

”Our future cities will see residential and office functions much more interwoven - leading to a better ecosystem with happier residents and office workers alike. We believe it is the increased focus on sustainability and technology that will drive this change.”

To read the digital edition of the latest IPE Real Assets magazine click here. 

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