Topland aims to buy EUR 360m of UK property

European property investor Topland plans to spend at least £300 mln (EUR 360 mln) on unleveraged real estate transactions in the UK, a 100% increase on its deal volume in the market last year.

Topland outlined the plans on announcing the appointment of Sol Zakay as group chairman. Zakay led the UK arm of the group as chairman and CEO until February 2009 when he moved abroad to help drive Topland's expansion into different areas.

The group now has significant interests in natural resources throughout the world through its JV with Barclays. It has ventured into residential development in India, and into new sectors such as solar energy and mezzanine finance.

To assist the group’s involvement in Spain, Topland has formed a new Spanish subsidiary, Diamond International Property Consultancy Services, and appointed Zakay as CEO.