About Us
Founded in 2015, ABT constructs and executes thematic investment strategies, identifying opportunities for substantial growth.
Investment approach
- Buy well, maximising potential from point of entry and protecting capital with thorough real estate appraisal
- Mitigate downside risks whilst maximising upside potential
- Identify counter cyclical business characteristics and adopt strategies with resilience in economic downturns
- Utilise best in class management teams
- Focus on smaller acquisition targets less likely to attract traditional private equity buyers but too big for most private individuals
- Underpin platforms with a solid foundation from which to build and bolt on acquisitions
Proactively target the following characteristics:
- Disenfranchised equity
- Divergent stakeholders
- Succession / retirement planning
- Capex constraints
- Need for intensive or complex asset management
- Untapped potential in land
- Ability to generate revenue from sources diversified from the core business
Market opportunity
- Participating in a rapidly growing market where UK investment turnover has increased from £1bn in 2009 to over £17bn.
- The surge in investor demand has been attributed to high quality, recurring, long-term income coupled with relatively attractive yields.
- Operational real estate investments enable investors to capture upside associated with a well-run business or newly emerging business model.
- Savills Research paper "The sky's the limit" estimates operational real estate in the UK will grow to £880bn at maturity from £223bn today.
- Focus on smaller acquisition targets less likely to attract traditional private equity buyers but too big for most private individuals
- For many years there has been a trend towards shorter lease durations culminating in half of all UK leases being for 5 years or less. This has inadvertently increased landlord exposure to operating risk without capturing full upside potential.
- Operational real estate assets are often less exposed to negative pricing pressure created by inflation or a rising interest rate environment in the same way as traditional long dated lease income.
- Some real estate backed operating businesses have demonstrated counter cyclical benefit. These are expected to better withstand future economic recession.
- The value of the traditional long lease structure has been tested most rigorously by the Covid-19 pandemic and exposed the lack of protection offered by lease duration especially in a period of significant change / disruption.
- The relationship between landlord and occupier is evolving with landlords increasingly vigilant of tenant operational aspects. Leading market participants observe that investors willing to adapt to operating business models thrive. The conclusion being greater collaboration between landlord and tenant ultimately leads to better operational assets which in turn benefits the consumer. This strategy maximises benefit from operations.
- With increased financial returns from operating businesses comes operating risks. ABT has the specialist capabilities to successfully manage operating businesses and navigate their risks.
Our Team
The People Driving
ABT Capital’s Success
Alex Pope
Co-Founder
Alex has led multiple successful investment strategies across a variety of sectors including holiday parks, elderly nursing care and hotels.
Alex has a background in private equity with nearly 15 years experience. Alex held roles on the buy side teams of 2 UK based, real estate focussed, special opportunities funds with over $4.5bn capital commitments. Alex had responsibility for pricing, underwriting and due diligence. Alex is a Chartered Accountant and prior to acting as a principal, was in the Transaction Services team of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Edward Andrews
Co-Founder
Edward has 18 years of investment and advisory experience across real assets and infrastructure.
He has led successful investments in sectors including building products, affordable housing, holiday parks, renewable energy, and student housing. Having started his career as an investment banker in the Industrials M&A team with Citigroup, Edward moved into project finance and private equity, holding investment roles with leading global private equity firm TPG Capital and Greensphere Capital, a specialist private equity company focused on sustainable infrastructure. Edward holds an MA (Hons) in History from Cambridge University and an MBA from Oxford University’s Said Business School.
Join our team
Career Opportunities
Finance Director
ABT is seeking an experienced Finance Director to support growth ambitions in the UK holiday resorts sector. Click here to apply.
- Full-time
Associate
ABT is seeking an experienced private equity associate to assist buy side pricing, underwriting, due diligence and execution. Click here to apply.
- Full-time
ABT Capital delivers strategic investments, transforming real estate backed businesses into resilient platforms for long term growth.
We combine rigorous appraisal, expert management, and targeted acquisitions to create sustainable value and maximise opportunity in dynamic markets."
Ready to explore strategic investment opportunities with ABT Capital?
Contact our team today to discuss how we can create long-term value together.