Colliers unit acquires majority stake in RoundShield

Executive Summary

• Harrison Street Asset Management, the investment management division of Colliers International Group Inc., has acquired a 60% equity stake in RoundShield Partners, a European credit investment manager.
• The acquisition provides Harrison Street with expanded credit capabilities in Europe and access to RoundShield's expertise in asset-backed capital solutions, specifically in real estate, infrastructure, and financial assets.
• RoundShield's senior management team will retain a 40% ownership stake and continue to lead the business operations.

Key Details

• Transaction Structure: Harrison Street acquired a 60% equity interest in RoundShield Partners from its management team and a third-party financial investor.
• Remaining Ownership: RoundShield's senior management team retains the remaining 40% ownership and will continue to lead the business.
• Target Profile: RoundShield Partners is headquartered in Jersey with offices in Geneva, London, Madrid, and Munich. It specializes in asset-backed capital solutions across real estate, infrastructure, and financial assets through opportunistic credit and structured equity strategies.
• Assets Under Management: RoundShield manages $5.4 billion in assets.
• Investor Base: RoundShield serves a diverse global investor base including pensions, endowments, foundations, insurers, and family offices.
• Strategic Rationale: The deal aims to add credit capabilities in Europe, create pathways for innovation, and leverage RoundShield's vertically integrated student housing platforms to scale combined student housing operations across the region.
• Advisers:
  • Lincoln International acted as financial adviser to RoundShield.
  • Sidley Austin acted as legal adviser to RoundShield.
  • DLA Piper acted as legal adviser to Harrison Street.
• Financial Terms: Specific financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Notable Quotes

• Christopher Merrill, Global CEO of Harrison Street: "This transaction marks a pivotal step for Harrison Street, adding credit capabilities in Europe and creating a pathway for continued innovation across our platform... RoundShield's ownership and operation of vertically integrated student housing platforms offers an exciting opportunity to scale our combined student housing operations across the region."
• Driss Benkirane, Founder and Managing Partner of RoundShield: "We are thrilled to partner with Harrison Street, a globally respected leader in real asset investing that we have known for many years. Their investment is a strong endorsement of our team and platform."