04 August 2010
The SWIP Property Trust (SWIPPT) has seen a dramatic growth in assets under management to more than £2bn and has doubled in size over the last 15 months due to strong inflows. SWIPPT has committed over £750m in new investment to the market since mid-2009 and the fund was the largest net investor in the real estate market last year.
In challenging markets, SWIP was the first company to redress liquidity issues in open-ended property funds. SWIPPT diversified its investment strategy to ensure efficient management of liquidity by widening the investment arena into REITS and Property Fixed Income Derivatives. With no forced selling or restrictions placed on redemptions, SWIPPT was able to meet the needs of investors quickly and was very much open for business.
Existing and new discretionary managers looking for more exposure to real estate have been attracted to the fund based on SWIP’s proven track record of managing real estate portfolios effectively and delivering returns.
Gerry Ferguson, head of UK real estate fund management at SWIP said: “The success of SWIPPT is based on a number of factors. We identified very quickly what was happening in the real estate markets, made changes, and were always open and honest and available for our investors. We have proved highly resilient and our number one priority continues to be returns which we’ve delivered to our clients.”
In a move that reflects SWIP's plans to further strengthen the team and build on the successes of the Trust, Kerri Hunter has recently been appointed as Deputy Manager of SWIPPT. Kerri has played a key role in helping support the implementation of SWIPPT's strategy and contributing to the performance of the portfolio.
Kerri Hunter commented: “Our fund strategy is underpinned by tough criteria which we’ve not comprised with market changes. We’ve not bought real estate for the sake of it and we’re in the perfect position to buy the right properties when they come to market. Since the middle of last year, we committed over £750m to the market in new investment and SWIPPT was the largest net investor in the real estate market in 2009.”
- Ends -
Notes to Editors
Recent additions to the SWIPPT property portfolio include:
- The Bridge on the Royal Mile
- Hermiston Gait, Edinburgh.
- The Moor Estate, Sheffield
- 75 King William Street, London.
Scottish Widows Investment Partnership
1. SWIP’s ultimate parent is Lloyds Banking Group, one of the largest financial services in the UK.
2. SWIP has a geographically diverse client base with alliances, joint ventures and clients in the UK, across Europe, USA and Japan.
3. SWIP is one of the UK and Europe’s largest fund managers with £148bn funds under management (Source: Internal, as at 31 March 2010).
4. SWIP has a broad client base, managing assets for Pension Funds, Charities, Local Authorities, Life Funds, Unit Trusts, OEICs, Off-Shore Funds and Specialist Funds across all asset classes.
5. SWIP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is entered on register under number 193707 (www.fsa.gov.uk).
6. Investment markets and conditions can change rapidly and as such the views expressed should not be taken as statements of fact nor should reliance be placed on these views when making investment decisions. Past performance is not a guide to the future.
For futher information please contact:
Kahrene Lawrie
Media Relations SWIP
Tel: 0131 655 8282
Email: kahrene.lawrie@swip.com
Alison Robb
Media Relations SWIP
Tel: 0131 655 8282
Email: alison.robb@swip.com
