Press releases

Legal & General hires Vanisha Thakrar as Head of Investment for Housing

Legal & General Capital (LGC), Legal & General Group’s alternative asset platform, announces that it has hired Vanisha Thakrar as Head of Investment for Housing.

15 Jun 2022


Full press release

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Vanisha’s appointment signals the next stage of growth for LGC’s diverse housing platform, as it seeks to scale its positive impact across its diverse investment portfolio that includes build-to-sell, build-to-rent, affordable housing, later living and modular homes.

Vanisha joins with 13 years of real estate investment experience gained from roles in investment banking, principal investments and portfolio management. Prior to joining LGC, she was a Director in the European Transactions group at Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, where she was responsible for sourcing, underwriting and executing transactions in the student housing and residential sectors. In addition, she focussed on establishing and managing joint venture relationships with operators and developers.

Previously, she worked at Macquarie Group before moving to Canada Pension Plan Investment Board where she worked on establishing new joint ventures, underwriting new investments and managing the business’ existing investments which included serving on the board of directors of various JV companies and as a board observer for CPP Investment’s student housing platform.

In her new role as Head of Investment – Housing, Vanisha will leverage her significant experience to support the growth of LGC’s multi-tenure housing platform, both in the UK and, increasingly, abroad in line with the business’ international ambitions. She will also be responsible for the portfolio management of a number of LGC’s existing investments, as well as leading on the strategy, creation and execution of new business opportunities.

Simon Century, Managing Director, Housing, Legal & General Capital: “Housing represents a major growth sector for Legal & General Group, as we seek to tackle the housing crisis head on, providing homes for all demographics, ages and tenures. Vanisha brings with her a wealth of experience to support the next stage of growth for our housing platform, in line with our ambitions to deliver much-needed housing at scale both in the UK and abroad over the coming years.”
Vanisha Thakrar, Head of Investment – Housing, Legal & General Capital: “I am delighted to join Legal & General Capital (LGC) to support and build upon the positive impact the business is already creating through the delivery of deeply required residential housing across the UK. I look forward to working with the housing leadership team to create further opportunities to evolve and expand LGC’s multi-tenure housing platform to deliver the homes society needs.”

LGC has built its market leading capabilities in a range of alternative assets, delivering depth of resource, track record and intellectual property. Investing in the real economy and creating alternative assets that deliver a tangible societal impact, its purpose is to invest society’s capital for society’s benefit.  LGC’s investments have been vertically integrated and include: residential property; specialist commercial real estate; clean energy; alternative credit; and venture capital.

As LGC’s capability to create alternative assets continues to grow, it will not only continue to grow its balance sheet of alternative assets but also create alternative assets for third party investors. Many of these investors have the same aims, namely to create assets to back pensions with an improved yield or to create assets with strong growth prospects but with low correlation to equities.

Through inclusive capitalism, we aim to build a better society by investing in long-term assets that benefit everyone and have invested over £30bn in levelling-up regional economies, including through major UK-wide regeneration scheme

Further information

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Lauren Kemp

Group Head of Corporate Media & Issues

Group Communications

T: 07946 514 627

Email Lauren Kemp

Notes to editors

Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.2 trillion in total assets under management (as at FY23) of which c40% (circa £0.5 trillion) is international.

We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading international player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in both public and private markets through our Asset Management division. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.

As at 7 June 2024, we estimate the Group’s Solvency II coverage ratio to be 224%.

As at 11 June 2024, Legal & General has a market capitalisation of £14.6 billion.

Legal & General Capital (LGC) is Legal & General Group’s alternative asset platform, creating assets for Legal & General Retirement and third-party clients in order to achieve improved risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders. LGC has built its capabilities in a range of alternative sectors, including in residential property; specialist commercial real estate; clean energy; alternative credit; and venture capital, which are all supported by long-term structural growth drivers, meet a financing gap, and respond to a scarcity of supply that is underpinned by enduring societal needs.