UNIQA Real Estate Management GmbH (UNIQA Real Estate) is expanding its institutional sales. This measure comes as part of the strategic opening of its investment platform to external capital providers. Mike Elsner has been appointed as Head of Sales Real Estate DACH.
In his new role, Mr Elsner is responsible for expanding and looking after institutional investors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. His duties also include assisting with the implementation of individual mandates and the strategic development of UNIQA Real Estate's entire investment offering.
Strategic Direction and Expertise
Thomas Erdmann, Managing Director of UNIQA Real Estate, stated that opening up the investment platform represents a significant step in business development. He added that an experienced and well-networked sales department is crucial for establishing long-term cooperation with institutional investors. Mr Erdmann emphasised that in Mike Elsner, they have gained a proven expert in institutional real estate investments who has been familiar with the market and the requirements of professional investors for many years.
In September 2026, UNIQA Real Estate communicated its intention to make its real estate investment and management platform, which previously served only the UNIQA Group, accessible to external investors. This offering includes various fund vehicles, as well as the possibility of individual mandates and club deals. The UQA Real Estate Fund has already been implemented as an initial concrete investment product for external institutional investors. This fund focuses on core and core-plus office properties, with a geographical emphasis on Austria, Poland and Czechia, and aims for a fund volume of EUR 600 million.
Background and New Responsibilities
Mike Elsner, Head of Sales Real Estate DACH at UNIQA Real Estate, explained that UNIQA Real Estate combines many years of real estate experience with a substantial presence and in-depth market knowledge in Austria, as well as Central and Eastern Europe. He noted that the timing was favourable to make this expertise accessible to external investors. Mr Elsner highlighted that, as an insurance company, the UNIQA Group precisely understands the long-term investment objectives and requirements of pension institutions. He expressed his readiness to work with the team to establish the institutional business in the DACH region, support existing and new investors, and continuously develop the investment offering.
Mr Elsner has over 20 years of professional experience in the finance and real estate sector, having specialised in advising and looking after institutional investors for many years. Before joining UNIQA Real Estate, he worked in Capital Management at HIH Invest from 2020, most recently as Director Capital Management and authorised signatory (Prokurist). Prior to that, he was responsible for looking after institutional clients as Sales Director at Deka Immobilien for almost eight years.
