Des de Beer, a notable property mogul and influential business leader, is one of South Africa’s wealthiest people and has played an important role in creating the country’s real estate market.
He has been the co-founder and CEO of Resilient REIT Limited, a leading South African Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), since its inception in 2002. After hitting great financial milestones with Resilient, de Beer intends to retire before December 2023.
He also formed New Europe Property Investments Plc, as well as its successor, NEPI Rockcastle Plc. Notably, he is the largest individual shareholder in Lighthouse Capital Limited, a global investment firm specializing in real estate and property assets.
De Beer, who is currently the CEO, MD, and executive director of Resilient REIT Ltd., continues to play an important role in the company’s growth. In addition, he serves as the chairman of CoreShares Index Tracker Managers (RF) Pty Ltd.
He has a long list of accomplishments, including general manager of corporate equity at Nedcor Investment Bank Holdings Ltd., bond manager at Barclays Private Bank & Trust Ltd. (Jersey), president of The Roodepoort Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and independent non-executive director at NEPI Rockcastle NV.
Below are five companies where de Beer holds direct or indirect ownership:
1. New Europe Property Investments (NEPI) Plc
NEPI Plc, incorporated on the Isle of Man, is a well-known commercial property company with a significant emphasis on prominent retail assets and offices in Romania. Since 2008, NEPI Plc has grown to become a prominent participant in the Central and Eastern European retail real estate sector thanks to de Beer’s strategic leadership as an independent non-executive Director. NEPI Plc has a market valuation of R20.3 billion ($1.06 billion) and a noteworthy presence in nine countries, with a broad investment portfolio worth €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) as of December 2021.
2. Lighthouse Properties Plc
Lighthouse Properties Plc, headquartered in Sliema, Malta, has cemented its place as a global investing player under de Beers ownership. Lighthouse Capital Limited was redesigned in December 2021 to reflect its concentration on direct property assets as well as listed real estate and infrastructure instruments. Lighthouse Properties Plc has a large portfolio of retail assets and operates in France, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The company thrives on the Main Board of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) with de Beer owning a significant 16.14-percent stake.
3. Resilient Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
Resilient REIT, founded by de Beer in 2002, has grown into a significant retail real estate investment trust listed on the JSE. Resilient REIT, with a market valuation of R14.5 billion ($764 million), owns and operates an exceptional portfolio of 27 shopping centers in South Africa, France, and Nigeria. Resilient has invested in Hammerson and Lighthouse Properties as a result of De Beers’ strategic strategy, further consolidating its position as a market leader.
4. Hammerson Plc
De Beers’ clout goes beyond South Africa, as seen by his stake in Hammerson Plc. Hammerson is a well-known British property development and investment firm that was founded in 1942. Hammerson, which has a market valuation of €1.3 billion, focuses on sustainable urban real estate in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. De Beer invested R732 million ($38.53 million) in Hammerson through his REIT, Resilient, in 2022, demonstrating his commitment to strategic expansion and sustainable growth. He just sold the stock for a tidy profit of R250.2 million ($13.16 million).
5. Trellidor Holdings Limited
Trellidor Holdings Limited, headquartered in Durban, South Africa, is a pioneering investment holding company specializing in personalized barrier security solutions. Under de Beer’s ownership, the company has expanded its operations to the UK and Ghana, while maintaining its market dominance in South Africa. With a comprehensive range of security products and a presence in multiple countries, Trellidor Holdings remains a leader in the security solutions sector.