Date: 24^th March 2017

Venue: Broadwalk House, Appold Street, London

Islamic Real Estate Finance
& Investment

Real estate finance and Islamic finance have for a long time been closely associated. Real estate and property satisfy the requirement of Shariah for tangible, physical assets and, as such, the two have thrived in a highly synergetic manner. It is also the case that United Kingdom offers significant benefits and opportunities for the Shariah compliant real estate investor, whether it be through direct/private equity-style investment, or indirectly through an investment fund.

The UK possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of Shariah compliant finance, a range of technical skills and expertise, as well as the comfort of an established and tested legal system. Coupled with the UK government’s initiatives to promote Islamic finance in the country, the UK offers significant opportunities in Shariah-compliant real estate investment.

Agenda

09:00 – 09:15	Welcome remarks
09:15 – 10:15	Session 1: Global Real Estate Capital Markets assessment and opportunities for Shariah compliant investors Overview of current global Real Estate market and investors – who is investing, in what and where? The current UK Real Estate market – the Brexit impact Sector and activity analysis - opportunities for Shariah compliant investors Key trends for investors in the UK Real Estate market David Jones — Partner, Ashurst Azeemeh Zaheer — Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Naissance Capital Naomi Heaton — Chief Executive, London Central Portfolio Philip Churchill — Founder & Managing Partner, 90 North Real Estate Partners Stuart Jarvis — Investment Director, Amiri Capital
10:15 – 10:45	Session 2: The UK Real Estate Development Market and what it currently offers Islamic Investors Jamie Chapman — Partner, Ashurst
10:45 – 11:15	Coffee & Networking
11:15 – 12:30	Session 3: Structuring Effective Real Estate Finance Transactions and Developing Shariah Compliant Options An overview of mainstream structuring options available for real estate developers and investors Incorporating the needs of Shariah compliant investors into real estate finance and investment structures Assessing the growth and development of financial innovation and in particular equity crowdfunding in property financing Evaluating jurisdictional and cross border issues in real estate finance investment A reminder of important tax, Shariah and regulatory issues Effectively managing risk: redemption, liquidity and regulation Flexibility to allow additional investment/partial disposal Abradat Kamalpour — Partner, Ashurst Simon Swann — Partner, Ashurst Alice Myers — Head of Property Finance & Construction, Puma Investments UK Trevor Norman — Director, Islamic Finance and Funds Group, Volaw Group
12:30 – 13:30	Luncheon
13:30 – 14:15	Session 4: Regulatory Update: An Analysis of Regulations Affecting Real Estate Transactions in Key European Markets Jake Green — Partner, Ashurst
14:15 – 15:00	Session 5: Key Structuring Issues and Considerations for Islamic Real Estate and Property Funds Structuring issues for Islamic real estate funds: jurisdictional considerations, regulation, screening, leverage, purification, foreign ownership, costs and fees The future and evolution of commercial property funds in Europe and where Islamic finance and investment can play a role The evolution of Real Estate Operating Companies (REOCs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in the UK and the potential for the development of Islamic equivalent structures Managing risk for Islamic property and real estate funds: liquidity, redemption and Shariah non-compliance risk Abradat Kamalpour — Partner, Ashurst Nick Goddard — Partner, Ashurst Trevor Norman — Director, Islamic Finance and Funds Group, Volaw Group
15:00 – 16:00	Session 6: Effectively Managing Risk and Return in Real Estate Finance Transactions Identifying key risk exposures of real estate finance investors: liquidity, redemption, foreign exchange Reminder of risk management considerations and limitations for Shariah compliant investors Managing regulatory and legal risk Examining the key issue of Shariah compliance versus Shariah non-compliance risk for Islamic real estate finance and investment
16:00 – 16:30	Coffee & Networking