Key Takeaways
- • Edmond de Rothschild announced three senior hires to strengthen its Real Estate Investment Management (REIM) capabilities across Europe: DJ Dhananjai (CIO UK of REIM, London), Robbert Zoet (head of real estate asset distribution, London), and Fabrice Lefevre-Sory (head of real estate asset sales, Paris).
- • DJ Dhananjai brings over 25 years of residential sector experience, including prior roles as head of residential at Royal London Asset Management and 14 years at CBRE Investment Management, where he established a UK affordable housing platform and managed segregated account portfolios.
- • The hires support Edmond de Rothschild REIM's focus on impact residential strategies in the UK, including affordable housing, build-to-rent, student accommodation, shared housing, and elderly care properties, with Dhananjai reporting to John Partridge, president of Edmond de Rothschild REIM UK.
- • The strategic expansion targets European institutional investors seeking residential real estate exposure, particularly in underserved impact-oriented segments that align with ESG-focused capital allocation.
Summary
Edmond de Rothschild announced on April 29, 2024, three senior appointments designed to accelerate its real estate investment management platform across Europe. The hires reflect the firm's commitment to expanding REIM capabilities and distribution infrastructure as it scales residential and alternative real estate strategies for institutional clients.
DJ Dhananjai joins as Chief Investment Officer of Edmond de Rothschild REIM UK, based in London under the oversight of John Partridge, president of the UK REIM division. Dhananjai brings substantial residential sector expertise spanning over 25 years. Most recently, he served as head of the residential sector at Royal London Asset Management. Prior to that role, he spent 14 years at CBRE Investment Management, where he managed global segregated account portfolios and launched a dedicated UK residential platform centered on affordable housing fund strategies. He was responsible for capital raising, product development, investment strategy, and capital deployment across these initiatives. Before joining the investment management sector, Dhananjai served as a senior manager at Homes England, specializing in regeneration and regional economic development in the Thames Gateway area.
At the London office, Robbert Zoet joins as head of real estate asset distribution, complementing Dhananjai's investment leadership with distribution-focused responsibilities. In Paris, Fabrice Lefevre-Sory assumes the role of head of real estate asset sales, extending the firm's commercial infrastructure into continental Europe.
The appointments align with Edmond de Rothschild REIM's strategic focus on impact residential investment across the UK and Europe. The platform targets institutional capital seeking exposure to affordable housing, build-to-rent developments, student accommodation, shared housing models, and elderly care properties. By consolidating investment expertise with dedicated distribution and sales capabilities across two major financial centers, the firm positions itself to serve institutional investors—including family offices, pension funds, and public endowments—seeking both financial returns and impact-oriented real estate exposure.
DJ Dhananjai joins as Chief Investment Officer of Edmond de Rothschild REIM UK, based in London under the oversight of John Partridge, president of the UK REIM division. Dhananjai brings substantial residential sector expertise spanning over 25 years. Most recently, he served as head of the residential sector at Royal London Asset Management. Prior to that role, he spent 14 years at CBRE Investment Management, where he managed global segregated account portfolios and launched a dedicated UK residential platform centered on affordable housing fund strategies. He was responsible for capital raising, product development, investment strategy, and capital deployment across these initiatives. Before joining the investment management sector, Dhananjai served as a senior manager at Homes England, specializing in regeneration and regional economic development in the Thames Gateway area.
At the London office, Robbert Zoet joins as head of real estate asset distribution, complementing Dhananjai's investment leadership with distribution-focused responsibilities. In Paris, Fabrice Lefevre-Sory assumes the role of head of real estate asset sales, extending the firm's commercial infrastructure into continental Europe.
The appointments align with Edmond de Rothschild REIM's strategic focus on impact residential investment across the UK and Europe. The platform targets institutional capital seeking exposure to affordable housing, build-to-rent developments, student accommodation, shared housing models, and elderly care properties. By consolidating investment expertise with dedicated distribution and sales capabilities across two major financial centers, the firm positions itself to serve institutional investors—including family offices, pension funds, and public endowments—seeking both financial returns and impact-oriented real estate exposure.
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