Since 1983, Townsend has served investors with unique solutions leveraging the benefits of real assets and evolving with the markets. Today, we continue to set the benchmark for creative strategies tailored to meet your investment goals.

Townsend Founded

1983

Terry Ahern and Kevin Lynch found The Townsend Group to provide a core set of investment skills exclusively focused on real estate that would serve institutional investors.

Focus on Institutional Investors

1986

U.S. public pension fund selects Townsend to provide Advisory Solutions for its real estate portfolio.

Expansion into Real Assets

1990s

Townsend grows with its clients, extending its investment platform into Timber and Agriculture.

Townsend Creates Custom Managed Solution

1996

Private U.S. corporate plan selects Townsend to manage its discretionary client portfolio.

 

Townsend Expands Equity Ownership

1997

The firm invests for growth to broaden its investment platform and reward and retain investment professionals.

Townsend Restructures Multi-Manager Fund

1998

A high net worth investment platform engages Townsend to restructure its fund and execute the investment strategy.

 

European Partners Drive Townsend Fund Solutions

2004

Townsend builds private-label, multi-manager real estate funds to serve European client needs.

 

Townsend Adds Infrastructure Investing to Solution Suite

2005

Townsend integrates infrastructure into its real estate portfolios for select clients seeking to expand their real asset allocations.

Townsend Expands Equity Ownership

2005

Once again, the firm invests to expand its investment platform and reward and retain top investment professionals.

Townsend Awarded Initial Co-Investment Mandate

2007

Large U.S. Public Fund partners with Townsend to manage its co-investment strategy, growing its portfolio to $1 billion by targeting opportunistic real estate investments.

Townsend Expands Global Investment Platform in Europe and Asia

2010

Following investment opportunities and trends, the firm expands globally, opening offices in London and Hong Kong.

Townsend Enters Strategic Partnership with Aligned Asset Managers

2011

Townsend selects Aligned Asset Managers as a strategic partner to accelerate the growth of its global investment platform and serve a growing and diverse group of institutional real asset investors.

Townsend Expands Equity Ownership

2011

The firm invests once again for growth to broaden its investment platform and retain top talent.

 

Townsend Launches Multi-Manager Fund Focused on Co-Investments

2012

The firm introduces Townsend Real Estate Alpha Fund I, primarily focused on co-investments, secondaries, joint ventures and clubs.

 

Townsend Selected for Managed Solution of Real Assets

2013

Townsend wins the mandate to build and manage a flexible, real assets portfolio targeting a broad range of real estate, infrastructure, timber and agriculture investments.

 

Townsend Expands Equity Ownership

2014

For a fourth time since its inception, the firm invests to grow its global platform and bench strength.

Aon completes acquisition of The Townsend Group

2017

Townsend becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aon, within Aon’s Global Retirement and Investments business segment.