Invesco and Pramerica duo launch new European opportunity fund

Two leading property figures have established a new investment management company to take advantage of the 'exciting and profitable opportunities' in the European real estate market. Internos Real Investors is the brainchild of Andrew Thornton, former chief operating officer of Invesco Real Estate Europe, and Jos Short, who was CEO of Pramerica real estate private equity for seven years.

Thornton said in a statement: 'At a time when most people are talking down the market, there will be many opportunities for successful investment - the outlook for us is bright. Internos has been founded to take advantage of this 'return of opportunity' and to continue creating value for institutional investors in European real estate over the long term.'

Emphasising the partners' combined 40-years of experience in the real estate market, he added: 'Whilst there are widely reported risks in the market, several proven routes to success are as important in 2008 as ever - access to local contacts with intimate knowledge of their markets and, above all, an understanding of how to successfully manage cross-border deals. We believe it critical to optimise the mix of finance, real estate and partners from across the continent, to secure the best returns. This approach underpins our philosophy to real estate investment and strategy.'

Internos will seek to raise funds in the coming months to invest in commercial projects as well as distressed properties. The company will also target selected mid-sized listed companies to take them private. Among the capital partners supporting Internos are Richard Peskin, chairman of Great Portland Estates, Nick Vetch, executive chairman of the Big Yellow Group and Patrick Deigman, executive director of the Goodman Group. Jan de Kreij, who stepped down as CEO of Dutch property group Corio in April last year, is a consultant partner and a member of the investment committee.