Capital will be deployed across sectors where there are dislocation opportunities.
- What? Melburg Capital has raised a debut £565m fund.
- Why? Investment manager to target mispriced assets amid market
dislocation. - What next? Industrial, living, strategic land and operational real estate
will be main areas of focus for deployment.
Melburg Capital, an investment and asset management business founded by a notoriously discreet senior executive, has raised £565m for its debut UK real estate fund, React News can reveal.
Melburg Real Estate Fund I (MREF I), which will invest both directly and in joint venture opportunities, has been backed by several of the investment manager’s existing institutional partners along with private family offices.
The firm’s website notes it has previously worked with Angelo Gordon, AEW, Revcap, Investec, Hines and Leumi, and has transacted £1bn of deals since it was set up nine years ago. However, it declined to comment on which investors had participated in the inaugural fund raise.
Although sector-agnostic, MREF I will have a particular focus on industrial, living, strategic land and operational real estate opportunities throughout the UK.
“Our superior market connectivity coupled with a data-driven approach is enabling us to aggregate fundamentally mispriced assets across all sectors and regions”
HELEN BLAIR, MELBURG CAPITAL
Melburg was founded in 2015 by Jack Burgess, a notoriously private Schroder alumni who has shunned the media spotlight and has yet to be interviewed.Although still in his thirties, several sources told React News Burgess had garnered a reputation for shrewd deal-making and discretion. As chief executive officer, he has overall responsibility for the group’s transactional activity and investment strategies.
Over the past three years Melburg has diversified its platform, securing several high-profile planning consents and acquisitions. Most recently these include a 400-bed student accommodation consent in Bristol city centre, along with the 850-bed mixed-use approval within its Redcatch Quarter, which forms the hub for the development of the former Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle.
On the industrial side, Melburg has acquired in excess of 2m sq ft since its inception. Last summer, the manager prelet its entire Voltaic estate to XPO Logistics, in a move that marks the largest letting of the year in Yorkshire. Voltaic is a 210,000 sq ft logistics hub at the Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate,
West Yorkshire. XPO agreed to a 10-year lease term after Melburg repositioned the asset.
Helen Blair, Melburg’s chief financial officer, said: “The commitments are a reflection of the hard work and performance of the wider team. We intend on organically deploying our capital by utilising the extensive reach of both our direct property and venture capital arms.
“Although scale and consolidation remain a primary driver for most of the institutional market, our superior market connectivity coupled with a data-driven approach is enabling us to aggregate fundamentally mispriced assets across all sectors and regions.”
Successful raise
The success of Melburg Real Estate Fund I is impressive when benchmarked against a challenging backdrop for real estate fundraising. Only 59 private real estate funds closed in the first three months of 2024 – the lowest quarter on record, according to Preqin data analysed by React News. The total aggregate capital also remained low, at $28.6bn. 2023 was the toughest year in a decade for capital raising, with only $151.9bn of aggregate capital raised across 483 funds amid persistent macroeconomic headwinds.
View React News article here.
Melburg Capital [Melburg] are pleased to announce that Jack Burgess has been recognised by Property Week as a “rising star” in their 2023 People to Watch list. This recognition follows the firm’s significant growth over the previous 18-months, which has seen the team acquire over 1 million sq ft of logistics assets, improve the energy performance certificates across 100% of their growing portfolio, submit one of the largest town centre designated regeneration schemes in the west country, dispose of in excess of £150 million of commercial assets and in so doing realise a 3-year unlevered IRR in excess of 27%.
The Melburg team is delighted by the recognition alongside some of the industry’s most impactful leaders and look forward to another year of partnerships and growth across the business.
A huge congratulations to the other individuals included, all of whom are listed below.
Michael Gove MP, Lucy Frazer MP, Lisa Nandy MP, Jennie Daly, Roger Wade, Julie Hirigoygen and the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee
View Property Week article here
Melburg Capital has appointed Andrew Burns as head of asset management.
Burns will have overall responsibility for the group’s asset and development management activities while also sitting on the investment, management and sustainability committees.
He will be based in London and report to the chief executive Jack Burgess.
Burns has 17 years’ experience in commercial real estate and joins from London & Regional Properties, which he joined in 2018.
Burgess said: “Andrew’s appointment highlights our continued commitment to delivering best-in-class close-quarter management initiatives across the portfolio.
“His enthusiasm, work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit is very much reflected within our corporate culture. We are pleased to welcome him on board.”
Burns added: “Melburg’s five-year annualised returns and growth trajectory have been outstanding. It is a testament to the team’s hard work and ability to identify opportunities through a data-driven approach while executing intricate management initiatives in a collaborative way.
“I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the growing platform.”
View Property Week article here.
Melburg Capital Limited [Melburg] are honoured that Jack Burgess, current Chief Executive and Founder has received a further nomination for Young Property Person of the Year at the 30th annual PROPS awards.
The PROPS are the UK’s longest standing property awards hosted by Variety. Since its inception in 1992, The PROPS, dedicated to the UK’s property industry, has raised over £10.8 million enabling Variety to provide 2,200 custom-built wheelchairs and other essential items to children and young people all around the UK.
The list of recipients of PROPS awards over the years includes some of the industries most celebrated figures Trevor Hemmings, Gerald Ronson CBE, Tony Pidgley CBE, Sir John Beckwith CBE, Sir John Ritblat, Sol Kerzner, David Lockhart, Michael Slade, Sir Stuart Lipton, David Pearl, and Nick Leslau.
Melburg Capital Ltd [Melburg] – the privately owned real estate investment and development company announces a collaboration with The Bristol School of Art following completion of refurbishment works at the 110,000 sq ft Bristol city centre office building, recently rebranded 360 (www.360bristol.co.uk).
Bristol School of Art forms part of the SGS College and runs 50 plus courses annually, with over 450 attendees ranging from first year Foundation students to degree courses as well as Part time Adult evening classes and Creativity for Wellbeing community courses.
Melburg engaged with the prominent local stakeholder, running an art competition to promote local aspiring artists and provide the opportunity to contribute towards the regeneration of its landmark office building.
360 Bristol has undergone a wholesale refurbishment focusing on the building’s sustainability credentials and occupier welfare and wellbeing. The repositioned building now includes a full-service gym, direct cycle in office access, a full suite of cycling facilities, yoga studio’s and a designated café and business lounge. A truly unique offering within the city centre. The space remains a key office hub for the NHS with the remaining 45,000 sq ft available to let.
Student artwork depicting Scenes of Bristol will be presented throughout the within the newly created café and business lounge providing the opportunity for the students to showcase their talent.
Kate Gwynne, College Operation Coordinator for Bristol Art School commented; “This has been a great project to be involved in, the students will really enjoy their work being within the public domain, for most of them this will be the first experience of exhibiting their work – hopefully the first of many!”
Jack Burgess, Chief Executive of Melburg commented; “We are thankful to have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Bristol School of Art. The volume of entrants and calibre of work was inspiring. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and success of the programme has cemented its inclusion in forthcoming projects around the city.”
Agents Knight Frank & Alder King represent Melburg, for further information relating to available office space please contact;
Andy Smith
0117 917 4537
Simon Price
0117 317 1084
Melburg Capital Ltd [Melburg] are pleased to announce that Jack Burgess, current Chief Executive and Founder has been shortlisted for the Young Property Personality of the Year at the Property Awards 2022, hosted by Property Week.
The acknowledgement places Mr Burgess alongside a group of talented professionals and impactful businesses making a positive contribution to the industry.
Melburg Capital, the highly discreet privately owned investment specialist, has strengthened its team with a series of new appointments, including the introduction of Greg Meller as Vice President of Investment, Helen Blair as CFO and David Brown as a Senior Advisor.
Greg brings over 11 years of real estate investment experience to the new role, joining from DAO Group, where he was responsible for both investment and asset management activities. Prior to DAO, Greg worked for Springer Nicolas, a well-known boutique investment agency.
As a PWC-qualified chartered accountant, Helen brings a depth of finance experience across accountancy, investment management, private banking and audit. Helen joins Melburg from her previous roles as a private client fund manager at Schroders where she spent 10 years managing a c. £350 million portfolio of assets on behalf of private clients, trusts and charities across all asset classes and most recently as Director of Finance at Succession Capital. Helen will have overall responsibility for finance and oversee all aspects of financial risk and reporting, succeeding former Melburg CFO, David Brown, who will continue to play a supporting role at Melburg as a Senior Advisor.
Adding further support to the businesses’ expansion, Lucy Marvin joins the Melburg team as an Executive Assistant.
Melburg’s investment and development expertise have seen the business grow significantly with £800 million of predominantly off-market transactions over the previous 36 months. The three new appointments follow several off-market Industrial, office and land transactions by Melburg underpinning its appetite to discreetly accelerate its value-add investment activity within the UK market.
Melburg also upgraded and relocated its offices to a much larger space within Mayfair’s Shepherds Market in the last month to facilitate its continued growth.
A spokesperson at Melburg commented; “Each new team member brings expertise and experience that will enable the business to continue its significant outperformance and growth trajectory”.
Helen Blair commented; “Melburg’s ambition and entrepreneurial approach, evidenced by its rapid growth since inception, attracted me to the role. It’s an exciting time to join the business as it enters the next phase of growth, following a standout few years of establishing itself as a key player in the UK real estate investment market.”
Greg Meller commented; “I am thrilled to be joining the Melburg team and looking forward to becoming a key part of such a vibrant and highly respected business. The fantastic track record of making proactive, decisive moves in the market speaks for itself and I hope to bring my experience and energy to further Melburg’s efforts in acquiring more real estate assets in the near future.”
London: Today, Melburg Capital, the privately owned investment specialist announces the appointment of Matt Good as Vice President of Asset Management. The appointment follows a string of high profile off-market acquisitions including Greenbank Industrial Estate, Wigan, South Plaza, Bristol and Warehouse K, London.
Matt joins us from IO Asset Management, where he spent 4.5 years and was responsible for both portfolio management and investment activities. Prior to his time at IO he worked within the Restructuring & Recovery team at GVA.
A spokesperson for Melburg commented; “The business continues to outperform its competitors by adopting creative ways of accessing and unlocking value. By design, we have created a portfolio of highly diversified assets and structures optimised by self-motivated individuals with a broad skillset and innate understanding of value, skills which Matt has clearly demonstrated. We look forward to Matt playing a key role in the platforms continued growth.”
Matt Good commented; “I am very pleased to be joining such an innovative and fast-paced business. Melburg’s institutional framework coupled with an entrepreneurial approach has enabled them to make and act on research-led decisions incredibly quickly, a key attribute given the existing climate. I am looking forward to helping drive results across the various business channels and asset classes”