DWS Appoints Dr Ulrich von Creytz as CIO Real Estate, Europe

DWS today announced the appointment of Dr Ulrich von Creytz to the position of Chief Investment Officer Real Estate for Europe. Based in Frankfurt, Ulrich will report to Clemens Schaefer, Global Head of Real Estate, APAC & Europe.

In his new role, Ulrich will leverage his extensive experience in client relations and his deep knowledge of European real estate built over a 20-year period to enhance the client and capital focus of the platform’s investment process. Underpinned by DWS’ thematic investment led approach, he will drive the market positioning of DWS’ real estate investment strategy working in close collaboration with the European platform’s research and strategy function, portfolio management, and transactions.

Ulrich joined the firm in 2004 and has held several leadership positions within its real estate business. Most recently, he was Head of the Real Estate Specialists in EMEA overseeing teams in Frankfurt and London. He has played a critical role in growing client relationships, demonstrating an ability to align investment themes and product offering with the strategic investment objectives of clients. Additionally, as a board member for almost a decade, Ulrich has been actively engaged on investment decisions for two legal entity boards in line with strategy and within the parameters of the fiduciary obligations of DWS to deliver best outcomes and performance for investors. He will join DWS’s Europe Investment Committee and will maintain his two board positions in Germany.

Clemens Schaefer, Global Head of Real Estate, APAC & Europe said: “I am confident Ulrich’s long- standing experience and strategic ability will create a positive impact on the investment process, aligning investment themes and capital sources.” He added: “His strong relationships built across the platform, industry and our investor base will play a critical role in shaping the future growth of DWS’ European real estate platform.”

Dr Ulrich von Creytz, Chief Investment Officer, Real Estate, Europe said: “This position is a great honour given the long-standing track record and reputation of DWS as a leading European real estate investment manager. I look forward to defining an investment agenda around value and growth creation, aligned with our clients’ aspirations.” He added: “We are starting to see some compelling opportunities arise in European Real Estate markets. This is driven by a rare window of opportunity for investors ready to enter the market over the next 2 to 3 years who we believe could profit from the strong expected recovery.”

Ulrich has a First State Examination in Law from University of Freiburg; Second State Examination in Law from Superior Court of Justice Berlin; PhD in Constitutional Law from University of Freiburg; Real Estate Economist from European Business School.

About DWS Real Estate

DWS has been investing in real estate assets for more than 50 years. As part of the Alternatives platform, the real estate business has nearly 350 employees in over 20 cities around the world and almost EUR 76 billion in global real estate assets under management (December 31, 2023). Providing a diverse range of strategies and solutions across the risk/return and geographic spectrums, we offer core, value-added and opportunistic real estate, real estate debt and real estate securities. The real estate investment business employs a disciplined investment approach and aims to deliver attractive long-term risk adjusted returns, preservation of capital and diversification to its investors, which include governments, corporations, insurance companies, endowments, retirement plans, and private clients worldwide.

About DWS Group

DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 941bn of assets under management (as of 31 March 2024) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.

We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.

DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,600 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future.