Jessica Hardman, head of European portfolio management and UK CEO of global investment manager DWS, has left the business to set up a new real estate investment management business with Downing called Aboria Capital.
Hardman has more than 20 years’ experience in global real estate investment management and was recently appointed a president of the British Property Federation (BPF).
The new company, which is headquartered in London, will initially focus on realising Downing’s £1.6bn pipeline, which includes 10 new projects planned to start on site at locations across the UK in 2025 and 2026, including the £400m Square Gardens co-living scheme in Manchester.
Hardman said: “Downing is recognised as a seasoned, high-quality living operating and development business. The UK and European living sector continue to be the most favoured sector by international investors especially where managers can offer the benefits of a vertically integrated value chain across both the investment and operational disciplines.”
