Former Carlyle Europe Co-Head Robert Hodges Dies After Short Illness

Robert Hodges, co-founder of investment firm Red Tree Capital and former co-head of Carlyle’s European real estate business, died this weekend. He was 49.

Hodges was diagnosed with cancer four months ago. He leaves behind his wife, Emmanuelle, and his two children, Felix and Sasha.

He set up Red Tree in 2013 with Eric Sasson, the partner he first met at LaSalle Investment Management 25 years ago. Red Tree has been an active investor in Paris in recent years.

He and Sasson previously ran Carlyle’s European real estate business. Hodges helped establish the business in 2006.

At Carlyle he set up joint ventures with investor Skelton and student housing company Generation Estates, and developed 3 and 4 Piccadilly Place in Manchester with Argent and 107 Cheapside in London.

But the deal for which he was best known was the acquisition of the White Tower Portfolio in the middle of the financial crisis in 2010. Acquired for £670M, the individual buildings were sold over the next six years for double the acquisition price — the last two being Samson and Ludgate Houses in 2016.

“Rob was one of the most intelligent, straightforward, no-nonsense individuals that I have had the privilege of working with over my career,” said former GVA head Rob Bould, who now runs his own consulting firm. “He has been actively involved in the European commercial real estate markets with the ability to analyse and identify cross-border opportunities which made him an outstanding professional — he will be greatly missed.”

Hodges’ funeral will be held at St. Peter and St. Paul Church, Thruxton, SP11 8NQ on Wednesday, 6 September, at 2 p.m. with a wake in the village hall thereafter.