ACRE hires Isaacson for new ESG and Impact role

Asia Capital Real Estate (ACRE) has hired Linda Isaacson as the real estate private equity firm’s first head of ESG and Impact.

Isaacson joins from Ferguson Partners, where she was global head of innovation and technology. She is based in ACRE’s New York office and will oversee the firm’s ESG initiatives and investment strategy for a forthcoming venture and impact capital strategy.

Founding partner Les Menkes said: “As ESG initiatives take on greater importance to investors and other stakeholders around the globe, the addition of a globally recognized leader in the space such as Linda will be critical as we expand our portfolio and broaden our strategic playbook to include emerging technologies. We are extremely excited to welcome her to our firm as we begin a new era of growth and success in the months and years to come.”

ACRE’s forthcoming venture capital vehicle will invest in early-stage companies and technologies “aimed at creating social impact and disruption related to the built environment”, including sustainable communities, climate technology and health technology.

The company was founded in 2011 and has around $2.9 billion in debt and equity real estate assets under management, primarily in the US but also in Southeast Asia and the UK, with a primary focus on workforce and affordable housing assets.