The acquisition of the real estate firm DEAS Asset Management will accelerate the growth of Fokus Nordic and immediately position the company to become one of the leading real estate asset and investment managers in the Nordics.

Through this acquisition, Fokus Nordic has reached the scale to serve global real estate investors seeking Nordic exposure with core, core+, value-add and opportunistic strategies, while maintaining the highest standards of service for current clients. The combination of Fokus Nordic and DEAS Asset Management creates a unique Nordic ‘platform’ with approx. 170 employees operating in 4 countries and with a total AuM of c. EUR 10bn.

The acquisition of DEAS Asset Management is subject to regulatory approval from the Financial Supervisory Authorities in Denmark and Norway and is expected to close in early 2025.

Once the acquisition is approved, Fokus Nordic will have offices in Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo and Copenhagen, and will become one of the largest full-service real estate asset and investment managers in the region. Fokus Nordic will be able to offer international investors a single point of entry to the entire Nordic real estate market.

"This acquisition marks a significant strategic advancement for Fokus Nordic. We are excited to enhance the value we provide to our clients and investors, offering greater access to the Nordic real estate markets. Our commitment to exceptional service and local expertise remains unwavering, now strengthened by a stronger organization with a broader reach. This step allows us to diversify our portfolio and deliver an expanded selection of real estate investment options. I warmly welcome the DEAS Asset Management staff, convinced that this will be a great opportunity for us to deliver even more value to our clients,” says Tonny Nielsen, CEO at Fokus Nordic.

Dedicated teams in Fokus Nordic and DEAS Asset Management will work closely together to ensure seamless integration and continued service excellence for all clients.

This transaction means that Montagu Private Equity will exit DEAS. The divestment follows the earlier sale of the Danish property management company, DEAS A/S, on August 1, 2024 to PHM Group.

During Montagu’s ownership, DEAS Asset Management Group has evolved from being a smaller Danish company managing assets on behalf of Danish institutional investors into a considerable pan-Nordic fund and asset management platform with 45 percent of its assets under management in Finland, Norway and Sweden – a total Nordic portfolio encompassing funds and segregated asset management mandates, managed on behalf of national as well as international investors.

“Over the last three years, a new group strategy has been established. We accelerated the digital transformation, reorganized the group with a focus on clients and tenants, invested in sustainability including biodiversity advisory services, renegotiated mandates and redefined our communications strategy” said Rikke Lykke, Group CEO, DEAS Group. “After a successful partnership with Montagu Private Equity, we now look forward to welcoming Fokus Nordic to lead the next phase of development for the business.”

Group CEO Rikke Lykke and Group CIO Mette Seifert will step down upon closing of the transaction.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval from the Financial Supervisory Authorities in Denmark and Norway.