Catella strengthens its German operations by expanding its project management business

The Corporate Finance business will continue to focus on transaction advisory, whereas the new entity Catella Project Management GmbH will focus on originating and managing development projects for institutional investors.

“I am pleased to see the rapid business development in our German operations. The new structure will provide us with much stronger execution capacity to strengthen Catella’s position in Germany, which is one of the largest real estate markets in Europe”, says Knut Pedersen, President and CEO at Catella. 

Klaus Franken, the former head of Catella’s Corporate Finance business since 2008, has been appointed as head of Catella’s project management business in Germany. Since 2012, Catella has executed development projects for investors in the residential and commercial segments worth EUR 250 million, and the investment value for the pending portfolio is approximately EUR 460 million. Examples of ongoing projects are “Living Central” in Dusseldorf and “Living Lyon” in Frankfurt.

“Klaus and his team have made tremendous effort to successfully establish and build a new business area for development project management. Together with his key team of professionals, the new company has competence in the areas of financing, project and construction management, urban design and architectural planning,” says Timo Nurminen, Head of Catella’s Property Investment Management business area.

Diane Becker has been appointed as Co-Head of Catella’s Corporate Finance business in Germany together with Christof Halwer. Diane Becker moves to this new position from her previous role within Catella as Head of International Investment. Diane has extensive knowledge and experience of the German and European property investment market as well as the international transaction market. Christof has been manager in the Corporate Finance business since 2002 and has in-depth knowledge of Catella’s existing business and 25 years of experience from the German investment market.

“The new structure will generate more business and synergies for both our Corporate Finance and our project development activities in Germany. This will also offer more transparency and professionalism for our investor clients,” says Emmanuel Schreder, Co-Head of Catella’s Corporate Finance business area.

Catella also has an independent and regulated property fund business in Germany since 2007, Catella Real Estate AG, headed by Andreas Kneip.