Interview: Patricia Neupert, Head Marketing and Communications

What complementary perspectives do you bring to Helvetica's investors in your new role as Chief Investment Officer (CIO)?
During my professional career, I have had an insight into various areas of the property industry and have been able to gain a wide range of hands-on experience. With this multi-layered perspective, from property management to asset and portfolio management to the transactional property business, we will create added value for our investors. In addition, as a representative of the younger generation, I would like to ensure that Helvetica's development is sustainable and digitally strong for the future.

What is your leadership style, and how do you plan to influence and advance Helvetica and its investment portfolios?
I adopt a non-micromanagement approach, focusing on nurturing talent and cultivating team members into proficient leaders. Our corporate culture is defined by our identity as entrepreneurs, not mere managers. We make substantial investments in our employees, offering perspectives beyond the operational core, and emphasizing continuous learning. I believe that the internal knowledge reservoir is frequently underestimated but plays a central role in ensuring efficiency, success, and customer-centric practices.

You've been with Helvetica for five years now. How has the company changed during this time?
Helvetica has grown from a small fund manager into a major market player for property investments. We now manage almost CHF 2 billion in assets under management for public, qualified and institutional investors. We have transformed ourselves into a professionally structured company with efficient processes without losing our unique culture or agility. We now have almost 40 employees who build and develop customized real estate services to generate sustainable returns.

Helvetica is currently implementing comprehensive portfolio optimization in the individual funds. What strategic goals are you pursuing with this?
We are currently optimizing all of our funds based on the current market situation. The aim is to streamline the portfolios to maximize returns and minimize risk, both geographically and structurally. In this context, we have already sold a few properties in order to reduce debt financing. We are also working on a new financing strategy that, among other things, ties some of the mortgages to longer terms in order to increase cash flow stability.

What reactions have you had to the sales you have already made on the transaction market?
Very positive. In the second half of 2023, we have so far completed two sales totaling around CHF 24 million for the Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund. The property in Chiasso in Ticino reflected the property valuation of the external valuation expert and the property in Münchwilen in Thurgau was sold above market value at CHF 13.4 million. The successful market absorption confirmed the intrinsic value of the properties held by the fund.