M7 targets growth in Ireland as it announces Dublin office opening and appoints James Smith as Asset Manager

Dublin office opening expands M7’s pan-European network

M7 Real Estate (“M7”), the pan-European investor and asset manager, continues its growth in Ireland with the appointment of James Smith as Asset Manager. M7 has also taken space at 15 – 17 Percy Place, Dublin 4. M7 will continue to focus on the acquisition and asset management of industrial, logistics and office assets in the greater Dublin area.

Dublin will be M7’s 16th office location and will expand its pan-European network to 14 countries. M7 made its first investment in Ireland in 2017 with the acquisition of Fumbally Lane, a mixed-use office and residential asset in Dublin, which it later sold to BCP. M7 has continued to grow its Irish portfolio, which now comprises 15 assets extending to circa 1 m sq ft consisting of primarily industrial and logistics space. M7 has been one of the most active purchasers in the Dublin market recently and is expecting to imminently add to its portfolio.

James Smith joins M7 from Cushman & Wakefield Ireland where he spent over three years within the Industrial and Logistics team advising clients on acquisitions, value enhancing asset management activities and disposal transactions. James will be responsible for executing asset management strategies and sourcing new opportunities for the various mandates across M7’s Irish portfolio and will report to John Murnaghan, Head of UK and Ireland.

James brings a wealth of experience in the Irish market with a career spanning over eight years, including positions at Knight Frank Ireland and Savills Commercial Ireland. James’ previous clients include Quanta Capital; Rohan Holdings; McGarrell Reilly; Mazars; Deloitte; Grant Thornton; Cerberus; and Pepper Asset Servicing.

James Smith, Asset Manager at M7 in Ireland, said: “I look forward to applying and sharing my expertise and knowledge of the Irish business sector, an area of the market I am very passionate about, with the experienced team at M7.

“Leveraging the wider M7 platform, we are well placed to expand the portfolio in Dublin and will look to grow the asset management team accordingly. I believe we are in a strong position to identify and execute opportunities that arise in our target sectors.”

John Murnaghan, Head of UK and Ireland at M7, commented: “Ireland has been one of the strongest performing economies in Europe over the last few years and a key market for M7. The structural changes associated with changing consumer habits and the growth of the tech sector are supporting demand for both industrial and office space alike. Our strategy is to replicate the model we have successfully implemented across our other European markets to grow the M7 platform in Ireland by targeting specific sectors.

“We have already established a strong footing in Dublin having invested in the market on behalf of our investors for a number of years. Our office opening is an exciting next step for the business and gives us a permanent base. We are delighted to welcome James to the team as his qualities as one of the most tenacious and progressive industrial agents in Dublin made him a perfect fit for the role. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to grow the team.”