Meyer Bergman promotes van Duren to CIO

Meyer Bergman, the London-based real estate investment manager, has promoted Eric van Duren to chief investment officer (CIO).

Van Duren joined Meyer Bergman last year as a senior adviser following more than 25 years at Amsterdam-based Multi Corporation, the European-focused shopping center manager and developer, where he was also CIO for nine years.

In his new role, the firm said van Duren would join Meyer Bergman’s investment committee, lead on all European investment activities and play an active part in determining the strategies for the properties it acquires.

Markus Meijer, Meyer Bergman’s chief executive officer, said van Duren’s primary responsibility would be to lead the firm’s fundraising and deployment efforts for its third real estate investment fund, Meyer Bergman European Retail Partners (MBERP) III.

Meijer said: “Eric has already spearheaded a number of disposals for our first two funds and going forward he will direct our investment strategies as we raise and deploy more capital for Fund III.”

“His wealth of experience is a considerable asset for Meyer Bergman and his appointment as CIO comes at a time when our business is entering the next phase of rapid growth,” Meijer added.

Fund III, which was launched in December last year, had accrued more than €332 million of equity towards its €900 million target as of June.

Meyer Bergman said it was targeting large retail assets in need of management and refurbishment via the fund. The firm completed its fifth deal in the summer when it acquired a Dublin retail asset (pictured) for €110 million in a joint venture with local asset manager, BCP Asset Management. Other assets bought on behalf of MBERP III include a portfolio of high street shops in Oslo, a portfolio of French retail properties and a development site in London’s affluent Kensington neighborhood.

Meyer Bergman oversees approximately €4.5 billion of assets for its clients across three value add funds.