Value-Add Entry Strategies for Italian Real Estate

Mr Federico Bianchi joined Ho Bee Land in February 2025 as the CEO in the United Kingdom. He is responsible for overseeing the Group’s operations in the UK.

Carlo Matta is the CEO of Nido Living, a leading European student accommodation platform, a role he assumed in May 2024. He is instrumental in driving the company's growth strategy and expanding its investment and development focus across key European markets. With over 25 years of extensive experience in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and real estate, Matta previously served as President and Head of Europe at CA Ventures. During his tenure there, he spearheaded the development of 4,500 PBSA beds and managed 6,000 beds across continental Europe and the UK. Carlo is a registered architect, holding an MBA in Real Estate Finance from the Texas McCombs School of Business and an MS in Architecture from Politecnico di Torino.

Paola Ricciardi is the country managing director and chairman of the Board at Kroll Real Estate Advisory Group (REAG) based in Italy. In addition to supervising the primary main service lines (Advisory, REAG4loans, Technical Services, Transaction Advisory and Debt Advisory Services), Paola also coordinates business operations in Italy. Previously, as European Coordinating Manager, she was responsible for supervising pan-European projects and cross-border projects with the U.S. Paola regularly takes part as a speaker at real estate events and conferences and collaborates with prestigious Italian universities. In 2006 she helped to found Real Estate Ladies Italian Association (AREL).

Rob has over 29 years of experience working across the UK and Continental European markets holding executive roles with a focus on transactions, fund management and development. He was previously a founding Partner of MC Property and Head of Investment for Europe at Cromwell Property Group, where played a lead role in the €1.3bn IPO on the Singapore stock exchange of European REIT. Rob has an BSc in Estate Management, is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and holds a IMC qualification.

Stefano Facciuto serves as Senior Vice President and Country Head for Italy at Colony Capital, a leading global investment management firm. With extensive experience in real estate and investment management across European markets, he oversees Colony Capital's Italian operations and strategic initiatives. Facciuto brings deep expertise in commercial real estate, asset management, and cross-border transactions. His leadership role involves identifying investment opportunities, managing key client relationships, and driving business development throughout Italy. Prior to his current position, he has built a distinguished career in international finance and real estate investment, contributing to Colony Capital's expansion and success in the Italian market through his strategic vision and industry knowledge.

Valeria Falcone serves as CEO of Colliers International Italy, leading one of the country's premier commercial real estate services firms. With extensive experience in the Italian property market, she oversees strategic operations across office, industrial, and retail sectors. Under her leadership, Colliers Italy has strengthened its position as a trusted advisor for corporate occupiers, investors, and developers. Falcone brings deep expertise in market analysis, investment advisory, and client relationship management, driving innovation in Italy's dynamic real estate landscape while maintaining Colliers' commitment to excellence and professional service delivery.