Supporting a Global Asset Manager Through a Complex Real Estate Carve Out
Case Studies
Situation:
A leading global asset manager announced its plan to spin off the majority of its real estate operations into a fully independent entity. The transition involved separating technology systems and platforms, HR functions, and operational infrastructure, requiring careful navigation through a complex carve-out amid a regulated banking environment and managing multiple stakeholders across five time zones.
- Industry Name: Real Assets
- Company Size: $600B AUM
- Project Team: 6 people
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Approach:
Our consultancy team supported both the seller and buyer teams through a multi-month strategic carve-out project with weekly Separation Committee meetings. The project encompassed:
- Managing the global IT Managed Service Provider relationship, provisioning IT equipment, defining support frameworks, and rolling out AWS.
- Establishing the new entity’s HR function, including benefits sourcing aligned across multiple jurisdictions and employee documentation.
- Creating a standalone technology environment through procurement, contract novations, system migration (including moving from client AWS to the new entity’s AWS), and adoption of SaaS solutions.
- Designing and executing a comprehensive data migration strategy encompassing extraction, validation, documentation, and handover.
- Managing change communications and creating detailed testing protocols to validate access, configurations, and data integrity across platforms.
Impact:
The project achieved a successful spin-off launch with business-critical IT assets firmly in place for Day One to ensure operational continuity post-Go-Live. Weekly status updates enhanced C-level transparency, supporting informed decision-making. Coordinated communication and change management helped set clear end-user expectations and mobilised staff effectively across multiple teams and regions. Hands-on support from the team ensured timely completion of carve-out activities, mitigating risks associated with complex migration and operational independence.
Conclusion:
Through dedicated project management, strong cross-functional collaboration, and expert oversight, the carve-out team facilitated the establishment of a fully operational, independent real estate asset management entity. The project’s success amidst a challenging banking environment and global stakeholder complexity highlights exceptional teamwork, professionalism, and agility under pressure, laying a solid foundation for future growth.
Alpha Project Team:
- Programme Manager: Franziska Schmitt
- Senior Team Operation Support: Samuel Denton-Thompson
- IT Project Manager: Naomi van Rossum
- Business Analysts: Karl Gerhardt, Julia Larsson
- Test Manager: Monika Zdziechowska
- Change Manager: Lucy Matthews