Swedish investor Heimstaden has added nine new staff to its team in the Netherlands to manage the growth arising from its acquisition earlier this year of a €1.4 bn residential portfolio in the country.
The company has recruited Simon Kuijs as investment manager, Justin Gijsen as asset manager, Mark de With as data manager, Kaj Deana as senior analyst asset management, Martijn van den Berg as technical manager, Claudia de Weert as team assistant HOA, Simon Reesink as letting manager, Audrey Mers as financial accountant and Edward Touw as marketing and communications manager.
Heimstaden said the hires were ‘a first step’ towards realising its growth plans in the Netherlands, adding that it expects to recruit further staff next year.
With around 10,000 rental properties, the Swedish institutional investor is currently the third-largest private property owner in the Netherlands following two significant deals earlier this year with Round Hill Capital and Patrizia respectively.
The first deal with Round Hill involved the purchase of 9,544 apartments across 536 properties valued at €1.4 bn.
Following the acquisition of 18 residential complexes from German REIT Patrizia in July for €97.4 mln, Christian Fladeland, chief investment officer of Heimstaden, said: 'Following our large acquisition earlier this year, that manifested our dedication to the Dutch residential market, we have been keen to pursue further expansion of our Dutch platform, where we see continued good value in the affordable housing segment.'
Heimstaden said that as a long-term investor, it plans to manage the majority of the acquired properties itself.
