Somerston Group

Somerston Group is a multi-generation single-family office with a diversified investment portfolio spanning both private and listed markets. The firm's investment strategy encompasses a broad range of asset classes, from real estate to software. They actively engage in real estate development and investment, focusing on areas such as community master planning, healthcare and social infrastructure, hotels and leisure, land development, retail, and pioneering data center and telecommunications real estate. Additionally, Somerston Group manages innovation-focused funds that target early-stage and pre-IPO technology companies, and through Somerston Asset Management, they operate various listed liquid asset portfolios.

The origins of the Somerston Group trace back to the 1850s, when the founding family was involved in the shipping industry. Over a century later, in the late 1960s and 1970s, the family strategically shifted its focus, pivoting towards property development as its primary area of investment. While the family office's roots are deep, the Somerston Group as a formal investment entity has evolved to manage these diverse holdings and also collaborates with other families who share its investment ethos.

Somerston Group's notable investments include companies like Shield AI in the aerospace and defense sector, and Ubicquia and CoreWeave within the business and productivity software industries. The firm was a pioneer in data center and telecommunications real estate development, notably contributing its data center assets to Digital Realty Trust's IPO in 2004. In real estate, they are the master developer of large-scale projects such as River Islands in California and have developed numerous shopping centers across Europe through their subsidiary, Newbridge. The firm has also seen successful exits, including BETA Technologies and Somerston Hotels, which was acquired and rebranded as Atlas Hotels.

The firm operates with a decentralized management structure, emphasizing the empowerment of strong local management teams to execute investment projects. Key individuals within the Somerston Group include Bill Scott, who serves as the US CFO for The Cambay Group, bringing extensive experience in real estate development. Aaron Knapik is the Managing Director for Somerston's Venture Capital and Private Equity portfolio, while Nick Wakefield is the CIO for Somerston Treasury and Managing Director of Somerston Asset Management. The team's collective expertise spans investment, development, finance, and asset management across various sectors and geographies, supported by a board with deep legal and financial acumen.