Sector guru looking for business

After 17 years with United States investment bank Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong, property guru Peter Churchouse has set up his first real estate fund investing in property stocks and the physical market in Asia.

Mr Churchouse and other investors have formed Lim Asia Alternative Real Estate Fund, with the investment focus in 12 places including Hong Kong, the mainland and Japan.

'We will invest in real estate securities such as stocks, debt, bonds and distressed assets in the region,' fund director Mr Churchouse said.

He said this was a new concept for a fund to invest in both property stocks and physical real estate. He declined to disclose the size of the fund but said he was interested in whatever sectors would provide attractive returns. 'We do not have specific [investment] requirements,' he said.

Mr Churchouse joined Morgan Stanley as vice-president and analyst in 1987 and was promoted to managing director.

Before his departure, Mr Churchouse was an adviser to the investment bank.