Established in early 2024, ZENITH Real Assets is the second-largest business segment within ZENITH ASSETS, managing EUR 15 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of 30 January 2025, which represents 36% of the Group’s total AUM. Within just one year of launch, Real Assets has rapidly established itself as a premier platform in the alternative investment space, focusing on high-quality, value-oriented investments across both Infrastructure and Real Estate. The segment is built on a foundation of deep sector expertise, disciplined asset selection, and hands-on value creation.
With a growing team of approximately 70 Investment Advisory Professionals and 11 Advisory Partners based across key financial hubs, ZENITH Real Assets is supported by robust local presence and industry networks. The platform’s ambition is to deliver long-term, sustainable returns by identifying transformative opportunities and actively managing assets through their full investment lifecycle.
ZENITH’s Real Estate platform seeks to uncover value-add investment opportunities across European gateway cities, with a particular emphasis on urbanisation trends, supply-constrained submarkets, and sustainable development potential.
Our diversified portfolios are built with forward-looking risk management to offer a smoother investment journey and reduce exposure to volatility.
The ZAM Real Estate Advisory Team includes 22 professionals with experience advising on over 120 real estate projects spanning multiple asset classes across Europe.
We concentrate on high-growth urban hubs, such as London, Paris, Munich, and Stockholm, where macroeconomic tailwinds support demand for real estate. Our local insights and on-the-ground advisory network provide a competitive edge.
Our approach centres around transitioning assets from value-add to core through redevelopment, repositioning, and active asset management. We seek to deliver sustainable value by enhancing the income profile and market appeal of our properties.
ZAM Infrastructure targets control and co-control investments in medium-sized infrastructure businesses that deliver essential services to society, are resilient through economic cycles, and generate stable, inflation-protected cash flows.
Our team brings a hands-on, operational mindset to infrastructure investing, backed by deep industrial experience and sector-specific expertise.
Energy, transport & logistics, environmental services, telecom, and social infrastructure form the core of our thematic focus.
Our “local-with-locals” approach enables proprietary sourcing and superior due diligence. We evaluate opportunities such as government privatisations, corporate orphans, and standalone operating infrastructure companies.
Post-acquisition, ZAM establishes a professional and strategically aligned Board of Directors, typically led by a senior ZENITH ASSETS Advisor and supported by sector experts and ZAM partners. Together, they drive strategy and support portfolio management.
Focus on businesses offering services that are mission-critical, recession-resilient, and generate stable, inflation-linked cash flows. Examples include district energy networks, regulated utilities, waste-to-energy facilities, and telecom infrastructure.
Key sectors include:
Upon acquisition, ZENITH appoints a professional Board of Directors, led by a ZENITH Advisor with relevant operational experience, and supported by sector specialists and ZAM Infrastructure partners. This ensures aligned oversight, agile strategy setting, and disciplined execution.
The team leverages its local presence across 7 countries and deep network relationships to access off-market or under-the-radar opportunities, including:
Head of Real Assets | Chairperson of Credit | Deputy Managing Partner
Nicholas Blecher is a founding leader of ZENITH Real Assets and serves as Head of the Real Assets platform, overseeing both the Infrastructure and Real Estate business lines. In addition to this role, he is the Chairperson of the ZENITH Credit Investment Committee and acts as Deputy Managing Partner of ZENITH ASSETS.
With over two decades of experience in global infrastructure and real estate private equity, Nicholas is recognised for his strategic leadership, institutional insight, and operational acumen. He has played a pivotal role in shaping ZENITH’s investment philosophy and building a best-in-class advisory team across Europe and Asia Pacific.
Under his leadership, ZENITH Real Assets has grown from a nascent venture in early 2024 to one of the firm’s most significant and active segments, with EUR 15 billion AUM and more than 25 ongoing investments in under 12 months. His deep commitment to long-term value creation, sustainability, and responsible investing is embedded throughout ZENITH’s asset selection and management practices.
Nicholas continues to drive strategic growth, spearheading ZENITH’s expansion into new markets and supporting the development of next-generation talent within the firm’s advisory network.