AI Fund Awards 2017

Acquisition International - International Fund Awards 2017 15 Keills IF17020 Best Independent Property Fund Manager - UK Keills Drawing on the combined experience of its Founders, Alan Howie and Andy Speedie, which spans over 25 years, Keills offers a range of investment solutions which focus on the property sector. Andy discusses this range of investment products and how they focus on creating value for investors. “Here at Keills, our principal fund is a pooled vehicle for UK pension funds and takes the form of an Exempt Property Unit Trust. Since 2010, the Trust has been entirely focussed on assets where the rent is linked to inflation. This is based upon our belief that at the all property level, rents will not grow in aggregate. We coined the term “RPI Property” to define our strategy of investing in strong locations, with high quality tenants on long leases linked to RPI/CPI or fixed uplifts. “In addition, we run a number of smaller trusts and syndicates for HNW investors. The smaller trusts and syndicates are all about the property, where we focus on creating additional value. Knowing what is happening at the local level helps mitigate risk and often presents us with the chance to turn these risks into opportunities for growth or improvement. What truly sets us apart is that we are a highly experienced business and genuinely independent. This often gives us a lead on our competitors as we can move quickly. “Our strategy follows our belief that there are three elephants in the room: the current global debt levels, ever increasing healthcare costs and the forthcoming pensions crisis. We believe that many in the real estate market are unwilling to recognise these issues and how they affect property both now and in the future. “One of the main issues affecting the real estate industry is experience, with many funds operated by younger managers with less expertise. We remain very much ‘hands on’ when it comes to managing our funds. The length of the investment cycle is such that it takes many years, or even decades, to gain the appropriate experience of dealing through the peaks and troughs of the market.” This iswhereKeillsdifferentiates itself;withAndyand Alan Howie having worked together in institutional fund management since 1990. They met at Scottish Amicable, at that time one of Scotland’s largest institutional investors. Following the sale of the real estate business and its subsequent mergers, Alan and Andy served on the UK executive board of Aberdeen Property Investors, at that time running £6bn of assets in the UK and Europe. In 2005 they joined a boutique investment bank focussed on HNW and institutional clients, where they started a new property fund management business which they then acquired through a management buy-out in 2008 and Keills was formed. Andy describes the firm’s investment philosophy, which has been honed over the years, and how this ensures clients receive the service they need. “Over the years we have developed a strong philosophy based around one simple idea: treat the client’s money as you would if it was your own. This view is often overlooked by other firms, but it ensures that clients receive the service and returns they need. We do not take unnecessary risks or expose their money to excess volatility. “In addition, we aim to offer a balance between up- to-the-minute reports and services and offering the client what they want, rather than what the market thinks they want. Throughout the investment market, much time is wasted trying to be cutting edge. We have found that focussing on what the client wants, tends to work. However, we have never been shy to lead our clients into new areas of investment, and were one of the first institutional investors to get into the now heavily over- subscribed area of student accommodation back in the mid-90s.” Moving forward, growth and expansion are the core aims for Keills, as Andy confidently concludes. “Looking ahead, our main objective is to grow Keills Property Trust. It is priced competitively and has a strong, professional and highly experienced team on board.Our strategy is well proven and our flow of deals is exemplary. The Trust is positioned for growth and open to local authority, corporate and private pension fund investors”.” Keills is an independent and specialist property fund manager based in Scotland and managing assets throughout the UK. We invited co- Founder Andy Speedie to tell us more. Company: Keills Name: Andy Speedie Alan Howie Email: andy ,[email protected], [email protected] Web: www.keills.com Address: Suite 240 Baltic Chambers, 50 Wellington Street, Glasgow G2 6HJ Telephone: 0141 250 7742, 0142 250 7743