Real Assets, Real People

In APREA's Real Assets, Real People, we talk to a leader in the real assets industry to gain insights on their experiences and strategies for success.

Here's Ondrej Sychrovsky, Member of the Board of Directors at ZDR Investments SG VCC.

ZDR Investments is a Czech-based real estate investor specializing in European daily needs-based retail parks and strip malls. They have recently launched a Singapore-based feeder fund. Thanks to its two-level structure (master-feeder fund), Asian investors can now benefit from a proven European investment concept aligned with their local investment environment. This initiative opens up new opportunities for investors looking to diversify their portfolio with European real estate while managing their investments within a familiar framework.

What were you doing before you started your career in real estate?

Before venturing into commercial real estate, I spent several years in both finance and media. My longest tenure, spanning more than a decade, was in a senior management role at the largest media house in the Czech Republic.

What are the key opportunities that you see in the current real assets investment landscape?

The real estate landscape is vast and varied, but one significant opportunity that unites it is ESG. Investments in photovoltaic systems, electric vehicle chargers, and energy optimization solutions have not only propelled us towards our net-zero goals but have also added value for both tenants and investors. For example, by installing solar panels in our retail parks, which make up the majority of our real estate portfolio, we have increased their value, benefiting our investors. At the same time, we offer tenants access to green energy, helping them reduce their energy costs.

From a leader’s perspective, how can companies navigate and thrive in an increasingly challenging business environment?

As the saying goes, “Fix the roof while the sun is shining,” which implies that companies should focus on strengthening their operations during prosperous times to remain resilient when challenges arise. For us, as an investment fund building a real estate portfolio, this means investing in diversification - across geographies, asset sizes, and tenant types. With a diversified portfolio and long-term contracts with international retail chains, we have managed to deliver stable returns to our investors, even during crises like COVID or economic downturns.

Can you share a notable success story or achievement in your journey as a leader?

One of our most notable recent achievements has been the expansion of our fund’s portfolio into a new country, marking the sixth EU market we’ve entered in our seven-year journey. Expanding into a new country is always a challenge, involving the navigation of different legal frameworks, cultural nuances, and market conditions. However, with strong partnerships, we successfully acquired not just one, but three properties for our master fund, bringing our total portfolio to 42 properties with SGD 630 million in AUM. This expansion has significantly enhanced the investment opportunities we offer to Southeast Asian investors through our Singaporean feeder fund.

What lesson or advice can you share with fellow members of APREA?

My key advice would be to stay active and engaged. APREA hosts numerous events throughout the year, offering opportunities not only to learn but, more importantly, to connect with industry professionals. As a European-based company, APREA has been instrumental in helping us build our network in the region.