Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas complete joint venture agreement

Resolute Asset Management Group participated in the annual conference of Prodexpo Athens

Resolute Asset Management Group had a dynamic participation in this year's Prodexpo conference, the leading institution in the field of property management, which brings together every year leading speakers, both Greek and foreign, in order to exchange views and ideas on the major challenges of the industry. The 24th Prodexpo conference took place on 25 and 26 October at the Athens Concert Hall and focused mainly on the prospects, but also on the risks facing the Greek real estate sector, on multiple levels.

On the first day of the conference, the panel on "Transforming the future of real estate asset management. Does size really matter? The role of synergies in a crucial market for the Greek Economy", where Mr. Nicholas Exarchos, regional partner of Resolute Asset Management for Greece, Cyprus and the Middle East and Mr. Theodoros Athanasopoulos, CEO of Cepal participated, discussed the wider importance of partnerships and synergies in the real estate sector, on the occasion of the very important merger between Kaican and Resolute IKE and the conclusion of a joint venture agreement. The discussion was moderated by Ms Evi Fragaki, journalist from Action 24 TV station.

More specifically, the strategic partnership recently announced by Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas, led to the creation of a new company, Resolute Cepal Greece SA (RCG), which aims to transform the real estate landscape in Greece, radically upgrading the services offered in the Greek market.

Mr. Exarchos highlighted the fact that Resolute Asset Management "offers in this strategic partnership modern cutting-edge technology, which contributes to the effective management of real estate". Also, referring to the comparative advantages of the newly established company, he highlighted the following: "The main differentiating feature of RCG is the fact that it is the first company that, based on a sophisticated, specialized and integrated asset management business model, creates and adds value not only to the properties it manages, but to the entire market. It has pan-European experience, strong technical expertise and deep knowledge of the material conditions, offering innovative solutions sought by major investors, in line with international and high standards."

For his part, Mr. Athanasopoulos, speaking about the value and prospects of this synergy, stressed that "Resolute is a partner, which possesses all the relevant know-how and the necessary logistical systems, is able to fill a large gap in the market", pointing out that Cepal has found a reliable business partner, "which has all the necessary know-how , so that we can create, in combination with our own knowledge, a 'vehicle' to transform a fairly fragmented sector, particularly in the part of the services offered".

At the same time, Mr. George Kormas, Vice Chairman of Resolute Group, initially took part in the executive breakfast briefing, held before the start of the conference, among distinguished executives of major companies in the sector. He then participated in a very interesting panel, on the topic: "Turning the tide: how rising interest rates affect real estate, investments and NPLs", together with Mr. George Elekidis, Principal of BainCapital and Dr. George Moontis , Managing Partner of Delfi Partners & Company. The discussion was moderated by Mr. George Tryfinopoulos, Head of Strategy of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund.

In his statement, Mr. Kormas emphasized the growth trajectory that the Greek economy has entered, the stability that has been restored in the investment landscape, as well as the importance of recovering the investment grade. Also, speaking on the issue of lending in the real estate market, he argued that "the institutional framework for new loans is much tougher. Banks are there, with available funds to give new loans, but only in cases where they are viable and meet ESG criteria. The loans, that is, are given sparingly, to specific sustainable investments." He concluded by stressing the need for "all market participants to understand their position in the market", without disturbing its balance, and for the broadly positive and stable course of the Greek economy to continue in the long term.

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas complete joint venture agreement featured image

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas complete joint venture agreement

Resolute Asset Management and Cepal Hellas are joining forces to create the market leader in real estate management

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas announce the completion of the merger of Kaican – Resolute IKE and the conclusion of a joint venture agreement. This is a strategic partnership with the aim to change the landscape in real estate management and radically upgrade the services offered in the Greek market. The new company, Resolute Cepal Greece SA (RCG), will be a key player in the real estate asset management sector as well as in real estate consultancy services by combining the international know-how and expertise of the two companies along with innovation and cutting-edge technologies.

RCG will provide real estate management and consultancy services for a wide range of clients, including banks, credit management servicers, private equity funds, institutional investors, and Greek public companies and organisations. The new company’s portfolio will include existing clients, Resolute Group portfolios, and €14 billion in properties and real estate collaterals that are already under the management of Cepal Hellas.

In addition to RCG's unique management capacity, the company will specially emphasize on the provision of internationally innovative services, adapted to the characteristics of the Greek market and the individual needs of each client. By combining the technological expertise and excellence of Resolute Group and Cepal Hellas, RCG will develop and provide integrated solutions to capitalise on the tremendous technological capabilities of both Recognyte (the advanced analytics and technology arm of Resolute) and Cepal’s leading online platform in the management of non-performing exposures (NPEs). REInvest Greece, a leading real estate agency and services company –whose majority ownership has already been transferred from Resolute to the joint venture– will also have a catalytic role in bolstering RCG’s ability to deliver excellent services across its clientele.

Bill Hancock, Managing Partner of Resolute Asset Management Group and Chairman of RCG, made the following statement regarding the agreement: "RCG marks the beginning of a new era in real estate management in Greece. In this case, the whole is far greater than the sum of the parts. The capabilities, international experience and market-leading expertise of the two companies are considerably greater and much more significant together –in one company– than they are separately. This changes the status quo, unleashing the enormous potential of the market. RCG’s goal is to create real value in a sector critical to the country’s economic growth and social prosperity”.

Mr. Theodore Athanassopoulos, CEO of Cepal Hellas & VP of Resolute Cepal Greece stated: "The launch of RCG is a big step for the Greek real estate market. We are proud that our shared vision with Resolute Group to create a specialized and independent Real Estate Servicer is now a reality. Through an exceptional partnership, Resolute Cepal Greece will offer robust real estate portfolio management services that will maximize the value of the assets in the portfolios we manage while it will also drive the transformation of the growing Greek real estate market in line with international and high standards of transparency and efficiency. We would like to thank our advisors UBS and Potamitis-Vekris for the valuable assistance into achieving this important milestone.”

About Cepal Hellas

Cepal Hellas, which launched its business activities in 2017, is a leading and pioneering Credit Management Servicer in the Greek market. In December 2020, Cepal implemented one of the largest carve-outs in the Greek market by incorporating 800 new employees in its headcount in 24 locations all over Greece. Cepal manages NPL portfolios amounting to €26 bn, the majority of which come from Alpha Bank and currently employees 950 people.

About Resolute Asset Management

Resolute Asset Management is an international real estate management and consulting company with over 240 employees and offices in 11 countries across Europe and the Middle East. Resolute has been active in Greece since 2014. Resolute successfully combines specialised experience in real estate investment, banking and finance with the aim of providing innovative and effective asset management and portfolio management consulting solutions for the banking and financial sector, the private investment sector, and institutional and public organisations.

About REInvest

REInvest Greece is a leading real estate agency and services company, established in 2021. The company provides a proven end-to-end solution to banks and investors looking to manage and monetise large portfolios of granular real estate assets in order to maximise their value most effectively by offering valuation services through to onboarding, legalisation, project management of works, sales, and leasing.

About Recognyte

Recognyte is a leading PropTech company, combining real estate data, AI-powered analytics, and business productivity tools to create value across the real estate lifecycle for investors, lenders, professional services firms, and insurers. Established in 2018 as Resolute Group’s advanced analytics and technology arm, Recognyte aims to enable customers to maximize their real estate investment returns and optimize outcomes by providing data-driven decision-support insights based on its deep resources of market data and other sources.

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas complete joint venture agreement featured image

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas to combine Greek real estate operations to create best-in-class market leader

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas are very pleased to announce that they have reached a strategic agreement to merge their Greek real estate operations. The joint venture, under the name Resolute Cepal Greece S.A. (“RCG”) will consolidate the market leadership of the parties in the Greek real estate servicing, asset management and advisory space.

RCG will advise on and manage real estate for a broad range of clients, including banks, loan servicers, private equity and institutional investors and Greek government entities and institutions. Also included in the JV are Resolute Greece’s existing bank and investor clients, as well as the real estate assets associated with the €28 billion portfolios serviced by Cepal Hellas, and others.

RCG will exploit the specialized know-how of Resolute in the real estate and real estate NPL segments, market leading technology provided by Resolute’s technology affiliate, Recognyte, and Cepal’s high-tech e-platform and experience in the management of non-performing exposures (NPEs). The joint venture will also benefit from the state-of-the-art agency and property services capabilities of REInvest Greece, a controlling stake in which will be transferred from Resolute to RCG.

The JV will focus on delivering results in:

  1. The management, value enhancement and monetization of portfolios of granular real estate assets;
  2. Asset management and value creation for large commercial real estate assets;
  3. Underwriting, analysis and advisory support in relation to real estate collateral of both performing and non-performing loan portfolios.

The combined capabilities and teams contributed to the JV not only benefit from innovative, cutting-edge approaches developed by the shareholders in their broader international operations but also from a scale which is unequalled in the Greek market.

Mr. Theodore Athanassopoulos, Chief Executive Officer, Cepal Hellas commented: ”Since the beginning of our operations, it was clear that successful management of the portfolios serviced by us requires the ability to understand, manage and monetize very significant numbers of real estate collateral assets. With RCG we will establish a leading specialized, independent Real Estate Servicer able to deliver on a very large scale with institutional standards. We are confident that RCG by relying on both Cepal’s financial strength and know how and Resolute Group’s best practices and procedures, will lead the emerging Greek real estate management services market whilst contributing decisively to the effective management of Cepal’s NPL portfolios.”

Bill Hancock, Managing Partner of Resolute Asset Management Group, stated: “The Joint Venture will allow us to apply sophisticated internationally proven techniques of the two shareholders to both performing and non-performing assets and portfolios in Greece. With a common focus on maximizing the financial performance of real estate, we expect to transform the Greek market, to the benefit of our clients. Our clear goal is to make RCG the most effective independent adviser and real estate manager in Greece.”

The agreement is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 subject to the receipt of merger clearance.

Cepal was advised by UBS Europe SE as financial advisor, PWC as tax advisor and Potamitis Vekris Law Firm as legal counsel.

Resolute was advised by KPMG and Interpath as financial advisors and Norton Rose Fulbright as legal counsel.

Resolute Asset Management Group and Cepal Hellas to combine Greek real estate operations to create best-in-class market leader featured image
Properties icon

Available properties

Resolute Cepal Greece also provides complete property services through its subsidiary, REInvest Greece, including property management, valuation, technical services, project management, leasing and sales.

See current properties