European credit manager RoundShield acquires significant ownership from Harrison Street
Harrison Street Acquires Majority Stake in RoundShield Partners to Expand European Platform
Harrison Street, a leading global investment management firm, has announced its acquisition of a majority 60% stake in RoundShield Partners, a European credit investment manager. This strategic move is set to strengthen Harrison Street’s footprint and credit investment capabilities in Europe, while also broadening its global real asset strategies and investor appeal.
RoundShield Partners, with its $5.4 billion Assets Under Management (AUM), specializes in providing asset-backed capital solutions for real estate, infrastructure, and financial assets. Their expertise in sectors like student housing and hospitality offers immediate opportunities for collaboration within Harrison Street’s portfolio.
Christopher Merrill, Global Chief Executive Officer of Harrison Street, expressed his excitement about the transaction, stating that it aligns with the firm’s global expansion ambitions by deepening market presence in Europe and complementing their existing credit and real estate investment offerings.
Driss Benkirane, Founder and Managing Partner of RoundShield, shared Merrill’s sentiment, expressing his pleasure about partnering with Harrison Street. He believes that the partnership will deliver compelling investment ideas and attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors.
The acquisition aims to enhance Harrison Street’s credit capabilities within its portfolio, leveraging RoundShield’s sector expertise to scale operations. The partnership is also expected to broaden Harrison Street’s suite of differentiated strategies for its global investors, fostering innovation and collaboration across the combined platform.
The remaining ownership will be held by RoundShield’s senior management team. Harrison Street’s global reach and shared values with RoundShield are expected to accelerate RoundShield's growth.
The partnership between Harrison Street and RoundShield is seen as a pivotal step for Harrison Street, with the strategic plan being to expand and strengthen its European platform by adding significant credit capabilities, particularly in real estate and related sectors such as student housing and hospitality.
This acquisition sets a foundation for scaling combined student housing operations in Europe, leveraging RoundShield’s vertically integrated student housing platforms for regional growth. The partnership intends to offer a broader suite of differentiated, risk-adjusted strategies in Europe and worldwide.
In summary, the acquisition strategically aims to strengthen Harrison Street’s footprint and credit investment capabilities in Europe, leverage RoundShield’s sector expertise in student housing and hospitality to scale operations, broaden Harrison Street’s global real asset strategies and investor appeal, foster innovation and collaboration across the combined platform, and deliver compelling investment ideas and attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors.
[1] Harrison Street Press Release, [Date], [Link] [2] RoundShield Partners Press Release, [Date], [Link] [3] PERE, [Date], [Link] [4] Real Estate Capital Europe, [Date], [Link] [5] PropertyEU, [Date], [Link]
Finance plays a crucial role in the acquisition of a majority 60% stake in RoundShield Partners by Harrison Street, enabling the expansion of Harrison Street's European platform and broadening its global real asset strategies. The partnership is expected to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns for investors, primarily in sectors like student housing and hospitality.
