Press releases

Areim and the National Pension Service of South Korea (“NPS”) have entered a strategic partnership where NPS becomes a minority stakeholder in Areim, supporting Areim’s growth ambitions for the coming years, while the team remains independent in its operations.

NPS, the world’s third-largest pension fund by total assets, is becoming a minority stakeholder in Areim via its strategic partnership with Townsend Group (“Townsend”). On behalf of NPS, the investment was led by Townsend who is a leading advisor and partner to institutional investors globally focused on real estate and real assets.

Following the transaction, Areim will remain an independent real estate manager with a focus on the Nordic market. The responsibility for managing the business and operations of Areim will remain solely with the existing Areim team. Consequently, the firm’s senior management and partners will maintain their full commitment to the investment activities of the Areim funds and to the firm’s long-term growth.

“We are pleased to establish this strategic partnership with Areim. Their proven strengths and long-term vision align closely with our platform investment strategy, and we are confident that this collaboration will further support Areim’s continued growth as well as NPS’s long-term investment objectives,” says David Kim, Head of Real Estate Platform Investment Team at NPS.

“We are delighted to welcome NPS and Townsend as strategic partners. They are ideal partners, and their investment supports our ambition to grow with continued independence and a clear purpose, while remaining closely aligned with our team, fund investors, and other key stakeholders. We look forward to the collaboration and the opportunities it will unlock for many years to come,” says Leif Andersson, founder of Areim.

“We are excited to partner with the team at Areim. It has been a pleasure getting to know the firm better over the course of this transaction and we are excited about what Areim can build over the coming years with the strategic capital and support from NPS and Townsend,” says Anthony Frammartino, CEO and Chairman of Townsend.

“Areim continues to evolve, and as we do so, we also need to ensure that we have a solid platform to stand on. The partnership with NPS and Townsend will enhance our commitment to attract and retain the best talent in the market and strengthens our position as the preferred manager in our selected markets – driving innovation and excellence in everything we do,” says Henrik Brinck Landelius, CEO of Areim.

Berkshire Global Advisors acted as financial advisor and Andulf Advokat as legal advisor to Areim in this transaction. Mannheimer Swartling, Keystone Law & Deloitte acted for Townsend.

About National Pension Service Investment Management

The National Pension Service Investment Management was launched in 1999 as an investment arm of the National Pension Service (NPS) with the objectives of effectively coping with fast-changing economic and financial circumstances and managing the National Pension Fund (NPF). According to the Guideline for National Pension Fund Management approved by the National Pension Fund Management Committee (FMC), the Fund is allocated 47.5% to equities, 34.9% to fixed income, and 17.4% to alternatives as of March 31, 2025. At the same time, the Fund’s assets under management stood at KRW 1,226.8 trillion, with cumulative investment income of KRW 748.3 trillion since its inception in 1988, solidifying its position as one of the world’s largest pension funds.

About Townsend Group

Townsend Group is a provider of global real estate and real asset investment advisory services. Townsend offers capital solutions to both LPs and GPs via platform investing, GP and LP-led secondaries, primaries, co-investments and direct investments. Townsend also offers complementary investment management and advisory services. Townsend is an adviser to global public and private pension plans, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations. Townsend has been advising and managing real estate portfolios for four decades and across multiple market cycles. As of September 30, 2024, Townsend had assets under management of approximately $19.3 billion. As of September 30, 2024, Townsend provided advisory services to clients who had real estate/real asset allocations exceeding $233.6 billion. We believe, through our global investment platform, fiduciary culture, asset class expertise and client capital scale, we are able to deliver clients unique information, while providing a sourcing and execution advantage.

For more information, contact: 
Patrick Lindström
PR and Communication
+46 72 071 94 20
Patrick.lindstrom@areim.se