New Property Investment Fund

First Property Group PLC 25 August 2005 Fprop wins £50million investment mandate from Universities Superannuation Scheme First Property Group plc ('Fprop' or 'the Company'), the online commercial property transaction platform and property asset manager, announces that it has reached agreement to manage a new property investment fund on behalf of The Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd ('USS'). USS will invest up to £50 million in the fund, which will also be able to borrow externally up to a maximum of three times the amount invested in the fund by USS. The fund will invest in commercial property in the United Kingdom, and Central and Eastern Europe, utilising Fprop's expertise in the UK and its recently opened Warsaw office. Typical lot sizes are likely to be between £3 million and £30 million covering the retail, office and industrial sectors. Once invested, the fund will substantially increase Fprop's funds under management from its current level of £21 million. Fprop will earn annual fees in relation to the value of properties under management and incentive fees if certain minimum rates of return are earned for the fund. Commenting on the establishment of the fund, Ben Habib, CEO of First Property Group, said: 'Securing the support of USS is a very significant step forward for First Property. To have won a mandate from such a well known and respected organisation as USS is a tremendous endorsement of the Group and our track record. 'My colleagues and I very much look forward to repaying this endorsement by delivering superior rates of return to USS. Given our expertise in the UK and now Poland I am confident that we will do so in a relatively short period of time.' For further information: Ben Habib - Chief Executive First Property Group plc Tel: 020 7731 2844 Richard Sunderland Tavistock Communications Limited Tel: 020 7920 3150 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings