Gencom, a US investment firm that owns, operates and develops prestigious real estate assets worldwide, announces a new organisational structure, several strategic appointments and the arrival of new talent, as it prepares for its next phase of growth as a global real estate investment and hospitality platform.
Through its affiliated companies, Gencom also has a significant presence in hotel operations and experiential real estate, notably via Pyramid Global Hospitality, which manages 185 properties representing around 50,000 keys across the United States and Europe, as well as Convene, a company specialising in designing, building and managing more than 185,000 sqm of premium meeting, event and flexible office space.
As Gencom’s global portfolio has grown, the disciplines of capital investment and value creation through execution have become increasingly specialised. To support this new phase of strategic growth, the Group has organised its operations around two complementary business lines, Gencom Capital and Gencom Real Estate, each with a distinct mandate while working closely together to create long-term value across the Group’s global real estate portfolio.
Karim Alibhai, founder and CEO, will continue to lead Gencom, overseeing both entities and providing strategic direction across all of the Group’s investment and operating activities. With more than four decades of leadership in real estate, he will continue to steer the Group’s long-term strategy, investment philosophy and growth initiatives. Founded more than 40 years ago, Gencom now manages a portfolio representing nearly $8 billion in assets under management, comprising 24 wholly owned assets, in operation or under development, for more than 6,000 hotel rooms worldwide, operated in partnership with international brands such as The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, Auberge Resorts Collection, Fairmont, Hyatt and Marriott.
Karim Alibhai said that successful real estate platforms are built by combining disciplined investing with exceptional execution, and that this evolution strengthens the Group’s leadership, sharpens accountability, and positions Gencom to capitalise on the opportunities ahead while continuing to deliver outstanding outcomes for its investors and partners.
Gencom Capital, led by Alessandro Colantonio, Chief Investment Officer, will oversee the Group’s investment strategy, acquisitions, capital formation and allocation, capital markets, portfolio management and investor relations across its equity and debt platforms. The Group has also promoted three long-standing members of its investment team to Managing Director: Ignasi Puig, overseeing acquisitions and investments, Peter Trujillo, overseeing corporate investments, and Blythe Pierre-Louis, overseeing special situations.
Gencom Real Estate will be led by Donald McGregor, promoted to President of this entity. He will oversee the execution of the Group’s development, construction and asset management strategies, ensuring disciplined execution from acquisition through to stabilisation and exit, while creating long-term value across the portfolio. He will be supported by Shaun Johnston, promoted to Head of Portfolio Finance & Accounting for Gencom Real Estate, who will lead the finance and accounting team in close collaboration with the asset management, development and transactions teams. The Group has also hired Jake Lynch as Senior Vice President, Asset Management, bringing more than 15 years of experience in hotel investment and asset management.
Donald McGregor noted that the Group’s success has always been driven by exceptional people, and that Gencom continues to build a team with the expertise needed to create value at every stage of the investment cycle. Karim Alibhai concluded that the strength of any investment platform ultimately rests on the quality of its people and the clarity of its leadership, and that this announcement reflects the exceptional, experienced team the Group has built over the years.
At a Glance
Gencom — Organizational restructuring – New structure: two business lines, Gencom Capital and Gencom Real Estate – CEO: Karim Alibhai, continues to lead the overall firm (40+ years in real estate) – Gencom Capital: led by Alessandro Colantonio, Chief Investment Officer; promotions — Ignasi Puig (Acquisitions & Investments), Peter Trujillo (Corporate Investments), Blythe Pierre-Louis (Special Situations), all to Managing Director – Gencom Real Estate: led by Donald McGregor, promoted to President; Shaun Johnston promoted to Head of Portfolio Finance & Accounting; Jake Lynch hired as SVP, Asset Management – Portfolio: ~$8B AUM, 24 owned assets, 6,000+ hotel rooms, partnered with The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, Auberge Resorts Collection, Fairmont, Hyatt, Marriott – Affiliates: Pyramid Global Hospitality (185 properties, ~50,000 keys); Convene (2M+ sq ft of meeting/event/flex office space) – Founded: 40+ years ago
