Jonathan Brasse

IL&FS Investment Managers to acquire Saffron Asset Advisors

Mumbai-based alternative investment firm, IL&FS Investment Managers is to bolt management of $400 million of assets onto its books after approving the takeover of rival Saffron Asset Advisors. A merger would be the first significant consolidation in India’s private equity real estate market since the global economic crisis.

Pensions to allocate $440bn to RE over next 5 years but more needed, says Grosvenor

The real estate investment and fund management business calculates that OECD pension funds will allocate $440bn to real estate over the next five years. But the firm warns that aging populations and vulnerable bond markets should be met with further allocations to income-producing real estate.

Future Fund RE allocation rises 1.2% in six months, further increases to come

Australia’s A$69bn Future Fund has continued to grow its real estate exposure, reporting increased assets of 1.2 percent to A$3.4 billion from the six months to 30 September. According to the fund’s annual report released today further increases to real estate and other “tangibles” are planned.

Korea’s $242bn pension fund plots 10% alternatives exposure

The $242 billion National Pension Service of Korea is planning to grow its alternative assets allocation to more than 10 percent of total assets in 2014. The allocation represents a meteoric rise on the 3.8 percent target allocation set in 2008.

Asia RE veteran Grady joins Mount Kellett

Timothy Grady, the real estate veteran responsible for launching and growing Merrill Lynch’s private equity real estate platform in Asia, has joined Mark McGoldrick’s Mount Kellett Capital Management as a managing director.

AIFM decision postponed until September

An agreement on the adoption of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers directive has been postponed until September.

ASIAVIEW: As good as it gets

Why the agreement between Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Blackstone to merge its Asia operations is the best outcome for the bank’s LPs. PERE magazine September 2010 issue

BoA Merrill Lynch in $650m Asia fund settlement

As part of the agreement, the general partner responsibilities of the $2.65bn Asian Real Estate Opportunities Fund are expected to transfer to Blackstone.

Ex-KKR affiliate KSL targets $1.5bn for Fund III

Denver-based leisure investment firm KSL Capital has hit the fundraising trail.

GIC-backed company to invest in Indian hotels fund

Through its joint venture hotel investment company with New York’s Host Hotels, the Singaporean sovereign wealth fund is preparing to increase its exposure to Indian hospitality assets.