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International Business Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- International Business Times
Max-Hervé George: From French Prodigy to Architect of a €10 Billion Investment Platform
At 36 years old, Metz-born Max-Hervé George already straddles two worlds many financiers never bridge: the gilded circles of luxury hospitality and the button-down boardrooms of institutional capital. His new group formation, SWI Group, manages more than €10 billion in assets, following this spring's merger of London-based Icona Capital and Swiss real-assets house Stoneweg a deal Max-Hervé George personally fusioned and now co-leads. A Head Start in High Stakes Max-Hervé George's appetite for outsized bets surfaced early. Bornin Metz, France, he left law school at 21 to flip his first commercial property near Geneva and ploughed the profits into what would become Ultima Capital. By 2012 he was co-founding Ultima's ultra-luxury chalet portfolio; the flagship Ultima Gstaad opened in 2016 and helped land him on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list three years later. In 2023 he sold his remaining 33 % stake in Ultima for a reported US $1.4 billion enterprise value. Icona Capital: The Dry Run Operating out of London, Icona Capital specialised in "special-situations real estate" value-add deals like Ireland's Liffey Park tech campus and a Madrid logistics conversion. But Icona also revealed Max-Hervé George's wider ambitions: in 2022 it snapped up 40 % of Stoneweg, seeding an €8 billion platform that foreshadowed today's SWI Group. SWI Group: Scale Meets Governance The March 2025 unification of Icona and Stoneweg under the SWI banner instantly vaulted Max-Hervé George into the European big league: 350 employees, 26 offices across 18 countries, and a balance-sheet that spans data centres, logistics boxes, city-centre offices and a nascent sports-and-entertainment vertical. RathFollowing the launch of SWI Group, Max-Hervé George announced an International Strategic Advisory Board chaired by Vivendi boss Arnaud de Puyfontaine, wealth-management veteran Simon Benhamou and real-asset guru Olivier Jollin. Their remit: apply Fortune-500 discipline to a millennial-led growth story. It was a signal to pensions and sovereign funds that SWI's break-neck expansion would come with adult supervision. Management Style: High Velocity, High Visibility Although Max-Hervé George's public persona is by nature private, a single LinkedIn post announcing SWI's board hit 120,000 impressions, buoyed by congratulatory emojis from Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc and football icon Andrés Iniesta, both newly minted special advisers to SWI's Sports & Entertainment Committee. That digital fluency pays practical dividends: the firm's €500 million green bond in May priced 130 bps over mid-swaps and closed 3.8 × oversubscribed, an outlier result in a jittery credit market. Asia on the Radar Singapore bankers whisper that Max-Hervé George is eyeing Marina Bay for his first Asia hub hardly surprising given Southeast Asia's forecast 15–20 % CAGR in data-centre demand. Asked by IBT Singapore about the rumour, he responds humbly "Singapore has many opportunities and one would be lucky to get a stake". Beyond the Balance Sheet Friends describe Max-Hervé George as "relentlessly competitive" traits perhaps rooted in his stint handing out heavyweight judo medals at the Tokyo Olympics and his Aries star-sign bravado. Yet colleagues note a softer angle: hands-on mentoring of scholarship students and a private foundation that bankrolls children's oncology research.. What Comes Next Over coffee in London's Fitzrovia, Max-Hervé George outlines a three-year roadmap: 2 GW hyperscale build-out across five European countries, stitched together via SWI's AiOnX platform. €1.2 bn private-credit fund to finance grid upgrades underpinning those data centres. Sports/Media JV that pairs elite athletes with content studios "patronage for the TikTok age," he quips. Each pillar, he argues, leverages the same formula: institutional capital plus pop-culture "brand gravity" plus a forensic ESG audit trail. The Takeaway Max-Hervé George's rise reads like a millennial fairy-tale lavish chalets nine-figure exits but the through-line is unusually clear: bet early, be agile but aggressive, scale fast, and professionalise governance before the sceptics ask. If he can keep that balance, France's onetime "golden boy" may yet redefine how a new generation of asset managers talks to the world's most conservative capital.
Entrepreneur
06-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Strategic Mergers and Global Growth: How Integration and Diversification Built a $11 Billion Investment Platform
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. The strategic vision and clear direction behind Icona Capital and Stoneweg's merger to create SWI Group exceeds their USD 11 billion multi-region investment portfolio in Europe, North America, and Asia. The initiative represents more than just rebranding because it transforms modern international investment platforms into a new era of possibilities. The journey began under the leadership of Max-Hervé George at Icona Capital when Stoneweg became the firm's Swiss investment advisory partner in 2020. Their collaboration gained significant media attention with the acquisition of a 211,000 sqm Casbega bottling plant in Fuenlabrada, Madrid. Thor Equities later purchased the property to develop a USD 650 million state-of-the-art data center—an opportunity first identified by George and his team and executed in partnership with Stoneweg. Strategic Synergy and Shared Vision Through his analysis, Max-Hervé George saw how Icona Capital's alternative investment methods would collaborate with Stoneweg's real estate knowledge. George has assumed the Chair role at SWI Group to emphasize that the merged entity expands markets while offering expanded products to draw investment from institutional clients. Through strategic partnership, the venture builds an international investment solution yet stays closely connected to local market dynamics, supported by local workforce expertise. As Co-CEO of SWI Group, Jaume Sabate formerly served as Stoneweg CEO before the teams converged effortlessly. "We established multiple acquisition alliances with Max-Hervé George and his Icona Capital teams; therefore, we look forward to uniting our work locations," he declared. SWI Group was officially formed in 2024 from the combined strengths of Stoneweg Real Estate Foundations and Icona Capital's various portfolio holdings. Icona Capital expanded its operations to luxury hospitality through the acquisition of a Maldivian island that would become an ultra-luxury resort development project prior to the merger. Through its fundamental business strategy, SWI Group continues to develop digital infrastructure and logistics and warehousing systems, which represent prominent growth markets in the modern global economy. Landmark Acquisition and Increased AUM A crucial acquisition moment happened when Redefine Properties, together with Oak Grove, jointly invested USD 330 million to buy Cromwell Property Group's European fund management infrastructure with its associated investments. Under the deal, the company obtained USD 4.2 billion worth of assets under management through a stake purchase in Cromwell European REIT, which amounted to 27.8 per cent. The company took a significant step towards establishing its institutional infrastructure, according to George. The organization enhances its exposure to modern business sectors as well as international markets, which play an essential role in its multi-asset structure. A Global Platform with Local Expertise SWI Group currently has over 350 professionals working in 26 offices distributed across 18 countries. The company unites its international investment ideas with domestic market knowledge through a single operation. The company plans infrastructure-driven expansion through its dedication to the UK market and its goal to enhance data center and logistics operations. The transformation of Icona Capital and Stoneweg into SWI Group is more than a corporate restructuring, it's a case study in how to scale through strategic integration. By leveraging complementary strengths and maintaining an agile, multi-asset investment approach, SWI Group offers a blueprint for converting niche expertise into global dominance.
Arabian Business
24-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Max-Herve George heads new $11 billion investment platform
French entrepreneur Max-Herve George's SWI Group, formed through the merger of his alternative investment platform, Icona Capital and Stoneweg, a Swiss-based alternative investment group, has established a presence in the European real estate market. The $11 billion investment platform combines the resources of both organisations at a time when European property markets are experiencing changing dynamics. Savills, a global property consultant, projects European deal volume will reach €50 billion in Q1 2025. The firm forecasts full-year transactions of €216 billion across European markets. 'Our timing aligns with what we believe is a favourable window in the market cycle,' said Max-Herve George, who chairs SWI Group. 'We've built this platform specifically to capture opportunities emerging from the current shift in market dynamics.' According to Savills' data, Germany, France, and the UK are expected to be key destinations for real estate investment this year. Their research indicates logistics and residential sectors—both areas where SWI maintains positions—along with prime office buildings in major cities are attracting investor interest as market participants adapt to workplace trends and sustainability standards. 'With our combined expertise in logistics and residential sectors, we're uniquely positioned to benefit from these market trends,' Max-Herve George pointed out. 'Our long-term strategy has always emphasised these sectors, which are now seeing the strongest investor demand.' The European logistics sector currently shows vacancy rates of approximately 5 per cent across major markets, with limited availability of premium warehouse space in urban-adjacent locations. Similarly, residential vacancy rates in major European cities stand at around 3 per cent, with rent growth outpacing inflation in many markets. 'Our structural advantage comes from combining institutional-scale capital with localised execution capabilities,' Max-Herve George explained. 'This allows us to identify opportunities across diverse European markets.' SWI operates through two divisions: Stoneweg Real Assets, which focuses on traditional property investments, and Icona Alternatives, which handles private equity and venture capital activities. The organisation employs 350 professionals across 26 offices in 18 countries, providing market intelligence across multiple European regions. SWI recently completed a $303 million acquisition of Cromwell Property Group's European platform, including a 27.8 per cent stake in Cromwell European REIT, expanding the firm's European holdings. 'This acquisition gives us immediate scale and diversification,' noted Max-Herve George. 'It accelerates our ability to implement our investment strategy across multiple markets and property sectors as Europe's real estate recovery gains traction.' SWI Group offers institutional investors access to European property markets through a platform with significant scale and geographic diversification. Investing and crypto
Gulf Today
02-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
SWI Group: A new $11 billion titan reshaping alternative investment landscape
Gulf Network French billionaire Max-Hervé George orchestrates landmark merger creating powerful new investment platform The alternative investment sector witnessed a transformative development last week as SWI Group officially launched, marking the culmination of a strategic merger between Icona Capital and Stoneweg. With combined assets under management exceeding US $11 billion, this newly formed entity has instantly positioned itself as a major player across multiple investment categories. French entrepreneur Max-Hervé George, the driving force behind this integration, emphasized that the merger creates unprecedented opportunities for institutional investors seeking diversified exposure. "This key development elevates both organizations into a truly global platform with specialized expertise across complementary sectors," he noted during the announcement. Spearheaded by co-CEOs Max-Hervé George (former CEO of Icona Capital) and Jaume Sabater (former CEO of Stoneweg), SWI Group is poised to leverage its international network of over 350 professionals across 18 countries to pursue investments through two specialized divisions. Icona Alternatives will spearhead activities in Private Equity, Venture Capital, Special Situations, Liquid Strategy, Private Credit, and Sports & Entertainment, while Stoneweg Real Assets concentrates on Hospitality, Logistics, Offices, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Data Centers, and Experiential Ventures. The formation comes on the heels of a significant $303 million acquisition of Cromwell Property Group's European fund management platform and affiliated co-investments, which includes a 27.8% stake in Cromwell European REIT. This has added $4.2 billion in real estate assets under management, thereby substantially broadening SWI Group's European footprint. According to Max-Hervé George, SWI's strength lies in the union between its two companies, for it now provides enhanced efficiency and expanded international reach that delivers more attractive investment opportunities than either organization could offer independently. "Our approach centers on diversification and long-term value creation through expertise across multiple asset classes," he explained. Industry analysts view this coalition as particularly timely, arriving amid growing institutional demand for alternative investments with strong risk-adjusted returns. The merger's scale enables SWI Group to offer institutional-grade investment products with the agility typically associated with boutique investment firms. Max-Hervé George's vision for SWI Group reflects his broader investment philosophy of combining a global perspective with specialized local knowledge—a philosophy that is further reflected in the new brand's USP: a global presence anchored by local talent who are veterans in their chosen fields and who boast unparalleled local knowledge and networks that are extremely pertinent to such specialized jobs. The group's dual-division structure allows for specialized focus while maintaining coordinated strategic direction, positioning SWI Group to capitalize on cross-sector investment themes that increasingly characterize the alternative investment landscape.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Icona Capital and Stoneweg Unite to Form $11 Billion SWI Group
LONDON, UK / / April 1, 2025 / Icona Capital and Stoneweg have announced they will now operate under the unified SWI Group brand, managing over US 11 billion in combined assets under management (AUM). The integration of Icona Capital, a London-based alternative investment group, with Stonweg, a Geneva-headquartered real estate investment group, marks the creation of a significant new player in the alternative investment space. French billionaire Max-Hervé George leads strategic merger creating major alternative investment platform The newly formed group will operate across European and US markets, spanning multiple sectors but operating across two distinct business lines. Stoneweg Real Assets will focus primarily on strategies across Living, Hospitality, Logistics, Offices, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Data Centers, and Experiential Ventures. Meanwhile, Icona Alternatives will concentrate on Private Equity, Venture Capital, Special Situations, Liquid Strategy, Private Credit, Sports & Entertainment. Max-Hervé George whose vision has been instrumental in orchestrating this ambitious merger, shared his perspective: "This key development elevates both companies and creates a highly attractive institutional investment platform with global reach and local talent, across diverse complementary sectors." George will helm the group as co-CEO with Jaume Sabater, former CEO of Stoneweg. A cornerstone of this coalition was the recent acquisition of Cromwell Property Group's European fund management platform and associated co-investments for $303 million. This strategic move included a 27.8% stake in Cromwell European REIT, adding $4.2 billion of real estate assets under management. "SWI provides the benefits of a larger integrated business, increasing AUM, efficiency, international presence, and essentially delivering more attractive investment opportunities," Max-Hervé George added. "Our strategy emphasizes diversification and long-term value creation across multiple asset classes." With over 350 professionals working across 26 offices in 18 countries, SWI Group boasts substantial global reach. The company identifies its combination of international presence and local expertise in the form of their employees as a key competitive advantage. The scale achieved enhances SWI Group's appeal to institutional investors seeking diversified alternative investment opportunities. With the formation of SWI Group, Max-Hervé George continues to expand his influence in the alternative investment space, creating a platform that combines global reach with specialized expertise across multiple asset classes and geographies. Media DetailsCompany Name: Icona CapitalContact Person: Alexander MaxwellMail: harry@ London, United KingdomWebsite: SOURCE: Icona Capital View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
