Member Event on AIFMD Consultation

John Forbes is an independent consultant advising real estate investment managers, investors and others in the real estate industry in the rapidly changing areas of product development, governance and regulatory matters for real estate funds.  He has advised on the restructuring of high profile open and closed-ended real estate funds in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, as well as the establishment of new funds. He has advised service providers to the real estate investment management industry on the strategic implications of regulatory and other changes.  Prior to setting up John Forbes Consulting LLP in 2013, he spent over twenty-five years with PwC, where he led the firm's Real Estate Industry Practice in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa across all of the firm's services to the real estate industry.

John is the chairman of the Independent Supervisory Board of the UBS Triton Property Fund, independent chair of the Urban Splash Residential Fund and non executive chairman of Ginkgo Advisor UK Limited.

Mike Newell is a partner in Cadwalader’s Financial Services Group, resident in the London office. Mike has extensive experience in advising clients in the asset management industry and, in particular, on the establishment and reorganization of onshore and offshore collective investment vehicles. He helps both household names and innovative startups set up new businesses and products in both the mainstream and alternative sectors, and is particularly experienced in advising in relation to hedge, private equity and real asset funds, as well as retail mutual funds, UK-listed investment companies and structured products. He also advises asset managers in relation to general corporate and regulatory matters and institutional investors on their private fund investments and secondary sales.

Ben Robins is a partner at Mourant Ozannes in Jersey with extensive experience in investment funds, offshore capital markets, real estate and structured finance.  Having qualified as an English solicitor with Speechly Bircham in London, he returned to Jersey to join Mourant Ozannes in 1997. He became a partner in 2002 and has headed its global funds practice area since 2008.  Ben has been a frequent participant in local industry working groups looking at key regulatory changes, including the implementation of the EU Alternative Investment Manager's Directive (AIFMD).  He was appointed Chairman of the Jersey Funds Association in July 2013.

Melville's practice focuses on the launch and operation of funds, including funds which hold underlying real estate investments in the UK as well as internationally. The funds have attracted institutional, private and retail investors.

In addition to servicing clients, he has been involved in representing industry bodies in their dialogue with the Treasury and the FCA. He is a regular contributor to the real estate press. Melville is the honorary legal adviser to the London Doughnut Economy Coalition.

Hanny Tirta joined Langham Hall in 2016 and is Head of AIFM Services. Hanny has over 16 years’ experience working in the funds sector covering UK and pan-European jurisdictions. She was a partner of Matrix Property Fund Management and has experience on the management and operations of PERE funds, including listed fund launch, structuring, corporate financing, fund level negotiations and portfolio level transaction executions, as well as asset management and financial services experience. She has executed transactions in excess of £2 billion. Asset sectors include: commercial property (all sectors), residential development, debt transactions, data centres, hotels and the renewables sector.