Talisman throws its hat into UK opportunity ring

Talisman Capital, a London-based real estate investment firm targeting opportunities in the UK, has been launched.

The firm was set up by Mark Hancock and Adam Kerr, who previously founded UK real estate development and investment company Amerdale before selling to now-troubled Scottish firm Kilmartin.

The new company has been backed by “a number of high net worth investors” it said in an announcement, and is aiming to “deliver enhanced returns” for its partners and investors through opportunistic acquisition, “imaginative” asset management and the “prudent use” of bank finance, it continued.

In addition to founders Hancock and Adam, former Kilmartin development director Frank Gillespie and Teesland finance director Stephen McBride have joined as executive directors. Former Amerdale investor David Hood has joined as non-executive chairman while former Merrill Lynch real estate investment banking executive Chris Jolly, has also joined in a non-executive capacity.

In its statement, the firm said it has equity to co-invest in deals and promoted the fact that it is “legacy free”.

Hancock also previously held roles as a main board director at Australian real estate company Teesland Group, as a senior fund manager for the Mercury Property Fund at Mercury Asset Management and as an investment surveyor for property services firm Strutt & Parker in London.

Adam was previously an investment officer for Merrill Lynch’s Merrill Lynch Property Fund, managed by Merrill Lynch Investment Managers. He was also a director of Melford Securities, a founding partner of property services firm Knight Frank & Rutley’s office in Francistown, Botswana and an investment surveyor for Healey & Baker in London.

Hancock said: “Property is fundamentally a people business and many of our peers now lead their field in a wide range of different industries. This adds a further dimension to Talisman Capital’s ability to unearth opportunities and to access decision-makers across a broad spectrum of companies.”