A builder of private markets platforms
Georg Wunderlin has around twenty years’ experience building private markets investment businesses. He joined Schroders in 2019 as Global Head of Private Assets, with a brief to build a dedicated business, and later became CEO of Schroders Capital.
During that time, the business’s assets under management grew from US$38bn to US$116bn. The growth came from acquiring, integrating and organically developing specialist managers. These managers share a common platform for fundraising, operations, technology and sustainability.
Analysis – Schroders Capital is a familiar name in the hotel industry and has taken part in many European deals in recent years. These range from the sale of the Marriott Cap d’Ail to Achernar Assets to the acquisition of the NH Collection Milan CityLife. COFRA’s appointment of the former Schroders Capital chief comes a few months after Nuveen announced its acquisition of Schroders.
Bregal, Redevco and Anthos at the heart of the roadmap
Under his leadership, COFRA will keep investing its own capital alongside its clients’ capital. The aim is to accelerate the growth of its three investment businesses: Bregal, Redevco and Anthos Fund & Asset Management. These businesses partner selectively with clients and independent managers. They manage portfolios of assets whose strategies and values match the group’s mission.
Redevco is the group’s main route into hospitality. It launched its Next Gen Stays platform in 2022 with the purchase of six hotels in Spain and Portugal, then turned it into a joint venture with SFP. In Paris, it is behind the capital’s first Radisson Collection, at 126 Rivoli.
Georg Wunderlin sees his appointment against the backdrop of a market in transition. He said private markets are changing fast. In his view, investors are concentrating their capital on the largest platforms and the most focused specialists, and the best managers increasingly need a strong, long-term partner to grow without losing their edge. He said that having its own capital, a long horizon and a mandate to be a force for good gives COFRA a rare combination, and that this is precisely what drew him to the group.
🔎 COFRA and hospitality
COFRA is the holding company of the Brenninkmeijer family, founders of C&A. Its presence in hospitality comes mainly through Redevco, its urban real estate business.
In 2022, Redevco launched Next Gen Stays with the purchase of six hotels for more than €80m in Lisbon, Porto, Bilbao, Seville and Malaga. The concept targets a young clientele.
In 2024, the platform became a joint venture with Swiss Finance & Property Group, targeting a portfolio of around €300m on the Iberian Peninsula.
In Paris, Redevco is behind the capital’s first Radisson Collection, at 126 Rivoli. The 57-room hotel is scheduled to open in early 2027.
In Hamburg, the former C&A store on Mönckebergstraße is being redeveloped as a mixed-use building with retail, a hotel and food and beverage.Advertisement
The track record of Boudewijn Beerkens
Georg Wunderlin will succeed Boudewijn Beerkens, who is retiring after eleven years at COFRA, eight of them as CEO. Under Beerkens’s leadership, COFRA became a mission-driven investment group. He opened its activities to partners seeking long-term returns together with positive social and environmental impact.
During his tenure, assets under management passed €40bn and 26 new strategies and funds were launched. Operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) fell by 82%, and responsible investment practices spread across the whole group.
Martijn Brenninkmeijer, Chairman of the Board, praised Beerkens as an outstanding CEO whose strategy delivered performance, growth and impact. He said the strategy also enabled the thoughtful evolution of a 185-year-old family business during a period of severe economic and geopolitical turbulence. Boudewijn Beerkens, for his part, said he was fully confident that Georg Wunderlin is the right leader for COFRA in this new chapter.
A long-prepared succession
Florian Brenninkmeyer, the incoming Chairman of the Board, said the new CEO combines leadership, investment experience, ambition and humility. He called him a proven business builder who has twice built private markets platforms by bringing specialist managers together and supporting their growth.
Georg Wunderlin will also join the COFRA Board. According to the group, the carefully prepared succession ensures continuity of strategy and leadership as COFRA continues to grow and diversify. The appointment is still subject to regulatory approval.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
COFRA Holding AG appoints Georg Wunderlin as CEO
Effective April 2027, subject to regulatory approval; he also joins the COFRA Board
Former CEO of Schroders Capital, which grew from US$38bn to US$116bn in AUM under his leadership
Succeeds Boudewijn Beerkens, retiring after 11 years at COFRA, including 8 as CEO
Group AUM above €40bn, 26 new strategies and funds launched, Scope 1-2 emissions down 82%
Mandate: accelerate growth of Bregal, Redevco and Anthos Fund & Asset Management
