Property Finance Europe and Hypoport group agree management buyout, effective this month

PFE Founder and Managing Editor Allan Saunderson said the accord paves the way for the next phase of the build-up of the PFE platform, which provides a unique stream of news-intelligence-commentary on investment property issues, themes, trends and players across the European continent. “We much appreciate the financial support and backing that Hypoport has provided to PFE for the last three years,” Mr. Saunderson said. “Without the backing of this highly progressive and innovative group, PFE would not have been able to build its distribution, subscription base and high reputation in the European property market as it has in the last four years.”

Prof. Dr. Thomas Kretschmar, Chairman and Co-CEO of the Frankfurt stock exchange-listed Hypoport commented: “We wish PFE all the very best for the future, which we believe will be very bright. The agreement allows Hypoport and its integrated brokerage Dr. Klein to focus on its core business, which is the promotion and intermediation of mortgages and other financial services products to private and institutional clients in Germany, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.”

PFE also announced the appointment of Thorsten Herbert as Sales Manager-German-Speaking Countries and Italy. Mr. Herbert takes up his post after moving back to Germany from Italy where he spent several years building the property advertising base for another publication.

Concurrent with the MBO, PFE this month is launching a number of innovations across its platform. This includes provision of some content to the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONALR real estate service, publication of a monthly magazine on the European investment property industry, and expansion of its Weekly Editions to provide an electronically-delivered platform for content and sponsorship messages across the globe. PFE will also launch a Daily news-intelligence service for subscribers, and on Bloomberg, and will expand its highly successful series of Property Breakfasts.

PFE Publisher Richard Betts commented: “Specifically at times of financial crisis such as now, the investment industry badly needs up-to-date intelligence and value-added commentary on the rewards and the potential risks in European property investment. In the new year, many people have earmarked capital to allocate into what is now a highly depressed sector, which looks increasingly cheap in relation to long-term real estate valuations and cash-flows.”