About Us

WHO WE ARE

Who We Are

Grit is a leading, London-listed pan-African impact real estate investor and solutions provider. We invest in and actively manage a diverse portfolio of assets underpinned by mainly US dollar and Euro denominated long-term lease with high-quality multi-national tenants.

We leverage our deep African real estate insights and in-country expertise to offer unique real estate solutions in property development, asset and property management as well as selected co-investment opportunities for qualifying counterparties.

Through our family of partnerships, we find opportunities to drive positive social and environmental change that transcend buildings to the benefit all current stakeholders and generations to come.

AT A GLANCE

employees representing 15 nationalities
0
countries of operation
0
Assets
0
million – total income producing assets
US$ 0
EPRA occupancy rate
0 %
(Last updated: June 2024)

OUR STRATEGY

Our business model unlocks value for all stakeholders, including the people of Africa and is founded on the following core principles:

  • Deep local and international relationships resulting in consistent delivery
  • Strong tenants comprising mostly blue-chip multinationals with lease contracts backed by guarantees
  • Hard currency leases comprising US$ and Euro income underpinning  revenue on long-term leases
  • Expansive sectoral (7 asset classes) and geographical (North, East, West and SADC) diversification in the portfolio
  • Strong sustainability pillars with clearly defined targets

This is underpinned by impact investing through our core activities which include:

  • Property investment in completed, income producing assets
  • Risk mitigated, client-led developments
  • Co-investment and special property platforms
  • Smart solutions and Real Estate, Asset and Development Management Services on behalf of third parties
  • Working with the communities in which we operate through skills transfer, local procurement and job creation, including gender equality in the build environment
  • Monitoring and reporting on activities against environmental and social performance targets, including a pathway to net zero emissions, reduced water consumption and social initiatives that make a real and lasting impact on the communities in which we serve.

OUR PEOPLE

Bronwyn Corbett
Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer

Bronwyn is the CEO and a founding member of Grit. She is a Chartered Accountant and has served on several property company boards. Under Bronwyn’s leadership, Grit has grown its portfolio from two assets valued at US$140m at listing to 33 income-producing assets and investments across eleven countries and seven asset classes, with an attributed value of $785.9 million as at 30 June 2023

Bronwyn spearheaded the optimisation of Grit’s capital structure, which culminated in a step-up to a Premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2021 and further played an instrumental role in securing a US$306 million refinancing agreement, which at the time was the largest sustainability linked real estate debt refinancing and syndication in Sub Saharan Africa – excluding SA –  setting a new benchmark for African real estate investment.

She further drove Grit’s recent asset recycling programme, achieving US$136 million in disposals at or close to book value and significantly reducing the Group’s number of associates.

Under her leadership, Grit further refined its strategy with the acquisition of African real estate developer, GREA, and its asset management company, as well as establishing fee-income generating channels and solutions through real estate services. 

Bronwyn was recognized as the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southern Africa) in the Exceptional Category, is a past winner of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Top CA(SA) under 35 Award, and has received many other recognitions such as API Top Africa Real Estate CEO in 2020 and 2023.

Greg Pearson
Chief Executive Officer GREA

Greg is a founder member of Grit Real Estate Income Group and has been instrumental in sustaining its rapid growth since inception in 2014. As Founder of Grit, Greg recognised the significant demand from multinational companies looking for quality real estate solutions in Africa and the limited supply of experienced developers to fulfil their requirements. This led to the creation of Gateway Delta Development Holdings Ltd as a development company of which Greg is a co-founder.

​​With his extensive track record and successful delivery of developments on the continent, Greg will be able to further these development opportunities in his new role. His relationships with key global players looking for Real Estate solutions on the continent will place the development business as the go to in the real estate market on the African continent. ​

Bronwyn Corbett
Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed to the board: 12 May 2014
Appointed to position: 12 May 2014

Bronwyn is the CEO and a founding member of Grit. She is a Chartered Accountant and has served on several property company boards. Under Bronwyn’s leadership, Grit has grown its portfolio from two assets valued at US$140m at listing to 33 income-producing assets and investments across eleven countries and seven asset classes, with an attributed value of $785.9 million as at 30 June 2023

Bronwyn spearheaded the optimisation of Grit’s capital structure, which culminated in a step-up to a Premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2021 and further played an instrumental role in securing a US$306 million refinancing agreement, which at the time was the largest sustainability linked real estate debt refinancing and syndication in Sub Saharan Africa – excluding SA –  setting a new benchmark for African real estate investment.

She further drove Grit’s recent asset recycling programme, achieving US$136 million in disposals at or close to book value and significantly reducing the Group’s number of associates.

Under her leadership, Grit further refined its strategy with the acquisition of African real estate developer, GREA, and its asset management company, as well as establishing fee-income generating channels and solutions through real estate services. 

Bronwyn was recognized as the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southern Africa) in the Exceptional Category, is a past winner of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Top CA(SA) under 35 Award, and has received many other recognitions such as API Top Africa Real Estate CEO in 2020 and 2023.

Other listed directorships: None
Committees: Member of the Investment Committee
Residency: Mauritius
Gareth Schnehage
Gareth Schnehage
Executive Director
Chief Finance Officer
Appointed to the board: 27 February 2024
Appointed to position: 27 February 2024

Gareth is a chartered accountant CA(SA) with experience in listed and SME multinationals with specific focus on operations in Africa, including Oil and Gas, Mining and the Aviation sector. He is a highly driven and motivated leader, who has conducted business in several African jurisdictions generating significant return for stakeholders. Prior to his appointment, Gareth was the interim CEO of bespoke IT Management company in Mauritius, that specializes in Infrastructure Design and Project Management as well as audit services. 

He was also an executive and business consultant to Grit Group in both Mauritius and London. He is the former CEO and CFO of Starlite Aviation Group – a diverse, solution driven aviation company, offering a wide range of helicopter and fixed-wing services. The group was recently acquired by a French group which included Oaktree Capital Management, the French Treasury and several banks.

Other listed directorships: None
Committees: Member of the Local Committee
Residency: London
Peter Todd
Non-Executive Director
Chairman to the Board
(Outgoing end June 2025)
Appointed to the board: 14 August 2014
Appointed to position: 12 April 2018

Peter is a qualified attorney and a founder of Osiris Group in the British Virgin Islands and Mauritius which provides international corporate finance and administrative services to global clients. He has significant understanding of the property industry in the UK, South Africa and the rest of Africa.

Other listed directorships: None
Committees: Chairman of the Investment and Member of the Local Committee.
Residency: Mauritius
Nigel
Nigel Nunoo
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed to the board: 19 December 2023

It has been proposed that Nigel Nunoo of Prudential be put forward for election onto the Grit Board. Nigel is based in Ghana and is the current Vice President for Africa and Group Chief Operating Officer for Prudential.

Nigel is an experienced Global Senior Executive with a remarkable 20+ years of tenure at Prudential Financial, Inc. He is known for successfully establishing and expanding the company’s presence in Africa from the ground up.

Nigel is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter-holder who also has an Executive MBA. Nigel’s extensive actuarial and investment experience has equipped him with a unique perspective in driving business strategy and mitigating risks.

Nigel has a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and delivering sustainable profitability in diverse global markets, spanning the United States, Europe, and Africa. He is also fluent in English and several African languages.

Nigel is committed to utilizing his expertise, global perspective, and proven track record to make a transformative impact on organizations seeking sustainable growth and financial success.

Other listed directorships: None
Committees: Chairman of Risk Committee and Member of the Investment and Remuneration Committees.
Residency: Ghana
David Love
Independent Non-Executive Director
Senior Independent Director
Appointed to the board: 4 December 2018
Appointed to position: 4 August 2020

David is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and holds a BCom and LLB (Hons First) in Land Law, Equity and Trusts. He has over 21 years’ experience in the real estate investment sector. David has been instrumental in the completion of several high-profile real estate transactions including IPOs and the formation of a £1.4 bn UK Property Authorised Investment Fund. He currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Compliance Officer of Knight Frank Investment Management.

Committees: Chairman of the Responsible Business Committee. Member of the Audit, Risk, Nomination and Investment Committees, and IT Governance Steering Committees.
Residency: United Kingdom
Bronwyn Corbett
Group CEO

Bronwyn is the CEO and a founding member of Grit. She is a Chartered Accountant and has served on several property company boards. Under Bronwyn’s leadership, Grit has grown its portfolio from two assets valued at US$140m at listing to 33 income-producing assets and investments across eleven countries and seven asset classes, with an attributed value of $785.9 million as at 30 June 2023

Bronwyn spearheaded the optimisation of Grit’s capital structure, which culminated in a step-up to a Premium listing on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2021 and further played an instrumental role in securing a US$306 million refinancing agreement, which at the time was the largest sustainability linked real estate debt refinancing and syndication in Sub Saharan Africa – excluding SA –  setting a new benchmark for African real estate investment.

She further drove Grit’s recent asset recycling programme, achieving US$136 million in disposals at or close to book value and significantly reducing the Group’s number of associates.

Under her leadership, Grit further refined its strategy with the acquisition of African real estate developer, GREA, and its asset management company, as well as establishing fee-income generating channels and solutions through real estate services. 

Bronwyn was recognized as the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year (Southern Africa) in the Exceptional Category, is a past winner of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Top CA(SA) under 35 Award, and has received many other recognitions such as API Top Africa Real Estate CEO in 2020 and 2023.

Gareth Schnehage
Gareth Schnehage
Group CFO

Gareth is a chartered accountant CA(SA) with experience in listed and SME multinationals with specific focus on operations in Africa, including Oil and Gas, Mining and the Aviation sector. He is a highly driven and motivated leader, who has conducted business in several African jurisdictions generating significant return for stakeholders. Prior to his appointment, Gareth was the interim CEO of bespoke IT Management company in Mauritius, that specializes in Infrastructure Design and Project Management as well as audit services. 

He was also an executive and business consultant to Grit Group in both Mauritius and London. He is the former CEO and CFO of Starlite Aviation Group – a diverse, solution driven aviation company, offering a wide range of helicopter and fixed-wing services. The group was recently acquired by a French group which included Oaktree Capital Management, the French Treasury and several banks. 

Greg Pearson
Group MD/CEO of GREA

Greg is a founder member of Grit Real Estate Income Group and has been instrumental in sustaining its rapid growth since inception in 2014. As Founder of Grit, Greg recognised the significant demand from multinational companies looking for quality real estate solutions in Africa and the limited supply of experienced developers to fulfil their requirements. This led to the creation of Gateway Delta Development Holdings Ltd as a development company of which Greg is a co-founder.

​​With his extensive track record and successful delivery of developments on the continent, Greg will be able to further these development opportunities in his new role. His relationships with key global players looking for Real Estate solutions on the continent will place the development business as the go to in the real estate market on the African continent. ​

Krish Kistnen
Krish Kistnen
Group COO

BCom (Hons) Accounting, Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting, CA(SA)

Krish is the Chief Operating Officer of Grit Real Estate Income Group, where he spearheads the strategic alignment and operational efficiency of the Group.

At the core of Krish’s responsibilities is the pursuit of global standards in operational excellence. He champions Grit’s commitment to Responsible Business Practices, with a keen focus on Human Capital development, alongside overseeing the Legal and Communication functions. 

Krish joined Grit’s Family of Partnerships in 2016 as the Chief Financial Officer of subsidiary company GREA. Over time, he also assumed various leadership positions, including Managing Director of Grit Holdings. Before transitioning to Chief Operating Officer, Krish served as Acting Chief Financial Officer of Grit, where he demonstrated astute financial stewardship.

With over a decade of financial accounting expertise, mostly in the real estate sector, Krish brings invaluable insights. His proficiency extends to group restructuring, capital raising, and the design and monitoring of key performance indicators. Additionally, Krish excels in implementing and overseeing internal practices, processes, and controls, ensuring operational resilience and compliance.

OUR AWARDS

OUR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE