When Max-Herve George of Icona Capital and Jaume Sabater of Stoneweg first shook hands on a Madrid property deal in 2020, few could have predicted they were laying the cornerstone for what would become an $11 billion investment juggernaut. Today, their creation—SWI Group—stands as testament to how strategic vision, complementary expertise, and methodical execution can reshape the alternative investment landscape. The newly formed entity now commands significant attention from institutional investors across Europe, North America, and Asia.
That first collaborative venture—the acquisition and subsequent sale of a 211,000 sqm former bottling plant now being developed into a $650 million data center—provided more than just impressive returns. It offered both firms an unexpected preview of their potential together, catalyzing a series of joint initiatives that would eventually culminate in formal integration.
From Collaboration to Consolidation
"We recognized immediately that the integration of Icona's alternative investment approach with Stoneweg's real assets expertise created a distinctive advantage in the market," explains Max-Herve George, Chairman of SWI Group and founder of Icona Capital. "Each successful project we completed in partnership reinforced our conviction that formalizing this alliance would elevate our capabilities to unprecedented levels." Sabater echoed this sentiment—"We have worked with Max-Herve George and his teams from Icona Capital on numerous acquisitions and we are eager to now work together as one team."
During the development of their partnership, both companies continued to pursue their respective growth strategies with remarkable success. Under the visionary leadership of Max-Herve George, Icona Capital expanded its portfolio beyond industrial properties to encompass luxury hospitality assets, including the acquisition of a pristine island in the Maldives destined for ultra-luxury development. Concurrently, Stoneweg diversified its holdings across various real asset sectors, including a $64.9 million investment in the UK's largest surf park in Birmingham through Stoneweg InfraSport.
The defining chapter in SWI's formation unfolded with the joint acquisition of Cromwell Property Group's European fund management platform for $303 million. This landmark transaction included a substantial stake in Cromwell European REIT, incorporating $4.2 billion of prime real estate assets into their expanding portfolio and showcasing the transformative potential of their collaborative approach to investment.
Strategic Vision and Global Reach
The newly established SWI Group now operates through two strategic business divisions that capitalize on the core strengths of its founding entities. "This carefully designed structure enables us to maintain our specialized expertise while offering clients access to a considerably broader spectrum of investment opportunities," notes Max-Herve George. "The consolidation provides us with the scale and diversification necessary to attract major institutional investors seeking sophisticated alternative investment solutions."
Supported by an exceptional team of more than 350 professionals distributed across 26 offices in 18 countries, SWI Group emphasizes the critical importance of combining global investment perspective with detailed local market knowledge—an approach that Max-Herve George has consistently championed throughout his distinguished investment career. This extensive international network enables the identification of unique opportunities.
As SWI extends its operational footprint worldwide, the organization is well-positioned to redefine excellence standards within the alternative investment industry, guided by Max-Herve George's strategic insight and the collective expertise of the company's seasoned executive team.
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Company Name: Icona Capital
Contact Person: Alexander Maxwell
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Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://iconacapital.com/
