Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR 30 June 2021

Press release (PDF)

Zurich, 30 June 2021 - Hans R. Holdener will assume the function of CEO at Helvetica as of 1 November 2021. The fund management company successfully completed the capital increase of Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund (HSO Fund). The fund will receive proceeds in the amount of approximately CHF 28 million.

• Hans R. Holdener appointed new CEO of Helvetica by the Board of Directors as of 1 November 2021
• He will succeed Michael Müller, who will leave the company as of 31 October 2021
• Capital increase of Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund (HSO Fund) successfully completed
• Proceeds of about CHF 28 million for the HSO Fund

Hans R. Holdener new CEO of Helvetica
Hans R. Holdener (55), will assume the function of CEO of Helvetica Property Investors AG as of 1 November 2021. He founded the company fifteen years ago which he then built and led as CEO between 2006 and 2019. The Swiss entrepreneur with Norwegian roots has more than 20 years of experience in real estate and finance. Helvetica has developed into one of the leading Swiss investment platforms for real estate investments in recent years.

Hans Ueli Keller, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented: "I am delighted that Hans R. Holdener has returned to Helvetica in an operational capacity and that we have been able to regain him as CEO. He is highly respected throughout the entire real estate and financial industry and is a personality with extensive experience. He is very familiar with Helvetica from his former role as co-founder and CEO. He has also proven that he can lead successfully, even in challenging times. The Board of Directors is convinced that he brings with him the ideal prerequisites to continue the course of growth which we have embarked upon."

To ensure good corporate governance, he will step down from the Board of Directors effective 1 November 2021. The search for a female successor is currently underway.

Hans Ueli Keller commented further: "Michael Müller has successfully managed the company for two years, in particular steering it safely through the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased that Michael Müller will be able to realize his dream of professional independence and that he will remain associated with Helvetica. The Board of Directors thanks him for his excellent services during this time, and wishes him every success in his future endeavors."

Successful capital increase for the HSO Fund
The capital increase carried out from 7 June to 25 June 2021 for the HSO Fund (ISIN CH0434725054) was successfully completed with proceeds of CHF 27.7 million. The capital increase was significantly oversubscribed and the number of investors was expanded. A total of 250,000 new shares are issued at an issue price of CHF 110.74 net per share. The number of outstanding shares after the capital increase amounts to 1,000,000. Payment date for the new shares is 30 June 2021.

The capital increase was carried out on a commission basis (best effort basis) as part of a rights offering in Switzerland. With the proceeds from the capital increase, the purchase of five properties in a prime location in Pratteln/BL has already been completed. At the same time, the funds received will also enable further investments in the HSO Fund's existing portfolio of high-quality properties. 

Salman Baday, Head Sales Switzerland, said: "The purchase of the five properties took place as part of an off-market transaction. The properties will generate stable, long-term returns and thus make a significant contribution to a sustainable distribution yield for our investors."

The acquisition of the properties in Pratteln, which have long lease terms (WAULT) of 7.4 years, increases both the diversification in the portfolio and the average creditworthiness of the tenants thanks to various well-known anchor tenants in Pratteln. The fund management company plans to further expand the fund and aims to list the fund on the SIX Swiss Exchange in the medium-term. The fund shares are currently traded over-the-counter by Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd. Shares can also be purchased at all Swiss banks.

Media contact

All relevant documents concerning the capital increase of the HSO Fund can be found under swissfunddata.ch or Helvetica.com.

About Helvetica
Helvetica Property Investors AG is a leading real estate fund management company and asset management firm. We deliver sustainable value to our clients through active, long-term ownership of safe and stable real estate investments. With a fully integrated real estate investment platform, we are able to provide both standardized investment products and customized investment plans. We are proud of our longstanding reputation for outstanding client service and dedication to responsible ownership. Our firm is approved and regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.

About Helvetica Swiss Commercial Fund
The HSC Fund is a Swiss real estate fund listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and open to all investors. The HSC Fund invests in commercial and industrial properties in the major economic areas of Switzerland. The fund's portfolio is geared towards long-term value preservation and features high location and property quality as well as broad diversification. The investment objective is mainly the long-term preservation of value and the distribution of reasonable profits. The HSC Fund is approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, FINMA.

Listing SIX Swiss Exchange; Ticker Symbol HSC; Valor 33 550 793; ISIN CH0335507932

About Helvetica Swiss Opportunity Fund
The HSO Fund is a Swiss real estate fund open exclusively to qualified investors. The HSO Fund invests in special purpose properties in the Swiss economic centers. The focus is on fully let properties with long-term leases and few tenants generating stable income. The investment objective is mainly the long-term preservation of value and the distribution of reasonable profits. The fund share units can be traded over-the-counter. The HSO Fund is approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, FINMA.

Ticker Symbol HSO; Valor 43 472 505; ISIN CH0434725054

About Helvetica Swiss Living Fund
The HSL Fund is a Swiss real estate fund open exclusively to qualified investors. The HSL Fund invests in residential real estate throughout Switzerland, primarily where regional and national economic centers are easily accessible. The investment focus of the fund is on older and newer properties with stable and sustainable revenues. The investment objective is primarily to preserve the fund's long-term value and to distribute reasonable profits. The fund share units can be traded over-the-counter. The HSL Fund is approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, FINMA.

Ticker Symbol HSL; Valor 49 527 566; ISIN CH0495275668

Disclaimer
This press release does neither constitute a prospectus in the sense of Art. 35 ff. of the Financial Services Act nor a prospectus, a simplified prospectus or key information for investors (KIID) in the sense of the Swiss Act on Collective Investment Schemes or a basic information leaflet. The units of the HSO Fund may not be publicly offered or advertised in Switzerland. The documents that are solely relevant for an investment decision, the prospectus and the simplified prospectus, can be obtained free of charge from Helvetica Property Investors AG.