Candriam Investors Group Enters European Private Equity Real Estate Market Through Strategic Partnership with Tristan Capital Partners

London/Brussels, 9 February 2018 – Candriam Investors Group (“Candriam”), a leading pan-European multi-specialist asset manager with over EUR 112 billion of assets under management[1] today announced a strategic partnership with Tristan Capital Partners (“Tristan”) and the related acquisition of a forty percent equity stake in Tristan, with a first option to increase it in the future.[2]

Tristan is a premier European real estate manager with EUR 9.1 billion of AUM. This strategic partnership represents Candriam’s first move into European private equity real estate investment management. Candriam is an affiliate of New York Life Investment Management LLC.

The strategic partnership with Tristan enables Candriam to add real estate, a major asset class which continues to attract strong institutional investor demand, to its multi-specialist offerings. Candriam’s existing offerings include investment solutions in fixed income, equities, alternatives, sustainable investments and asset allocation strategies.

Tristan is a market-leading pan-European private equity real estate boutique with 105 professionals in eight locations. The firm offers a distinctive research-led approach to investing capital, and has an 18-year track record, with total investments approaching EUR 15 billion. Tristan will retain its existing management and investment autonomy while benefiting from the operating and financial resources, distribution network, and scale of Candriam and New York Life.

Yie-Hsin Hung, CEO of New York Life Investment Management LLC, said:

“We are fully supportive of Candriam’s expansion into the real estate market with Tristan Capital Partners. The boutiques within our growing global asset management business offer a powerful, diverse range of insights and differentiated strategies to our clients, and this strategic partnership further demonstrates our commitment to expanding our alternatives capabilities.”

Naïm Abou-Jaoudé, CEO of Candriam and Chairman of New York Life Investment Management International, commented:

“As we grow our investment offerings and operations in Europe, we continue to seek strategic relationships and acquire complementary capabilities. Tristan Capital Partners is a true expert real estate manager. They have built an impressive track record and a strong and loyal client portfolio. Both our firms share the same values and strong corporate culture that have shaped our respective success. I am convinced that this strategic partnership will allow Tristan to further accelerate growth and capitalise on the growing demand for real estate investments.”

Ric Lewis, Chairman and Co-CEO of Tristan Capital Partners, added:

“Through the strategic partnership with Candriam, we will be in an even stronger position to pursue our current and future business plan and to offer more attractive opportunities, products and strategies to our existing and future clients. With its complementary multi-specialist model, Candriam provides an excellent strategic fit and an opportunity to combine our specialist European market knowledge with a leading global investment platform. Candriam and New York Life are strong partners for Tristan, our clients and our future growth. Their culture of investment management excellence and commitment to exemplary investment performance, client service and the development of new strategies and capabilities to serve clients’ emerging needs were the factors that ultimately led to this strategic partnership.”

[1] As of December 31, 2017.  Assets under management include assets which do not fall within the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's definition of 'regulatory AUM' in Form ADV Part 1A. 

[2] The forty percent equity stake in Tristan, and the option to increase it in the future, is held through Candriam Group. Candriam and Candriam Group are affiliates of New York Life Investment Management LLC.