Germany's WGF Financial Group has hired Hans-Dieter Martin and Walter J. Helbach to operate WGF Immobilien Investment, its new affiliated capital investment company.

Martin, who has extensive experience as a managing director in the insurance sector, joins from LB ImmoInvest, where he previously held the position of managing director. Helbach, with experience in the funds and asset management sector, worked for ECE Projektmanagement and previously held various managerial positions at Deka Immobilien Investment.

WGF was granted permission from the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) to operate WGF Immobilien Investment. With the move, WGF Financial Group aims to enhance its spectrum of products for institutional real estate investors in the segment of real estate special funds. The Düsseldorf-based company said the new company will be designed as an investment tool for the individual investment targets of institutional investors, such as insurances, pension funds, welfare institutions or church organisations.

'With our special real estate fund we will cover a number of asset classes and align the funds to the yield and security requirements of our investors,' said Hans-Dieter Martin, chairman of the WGF Immobilien Investment. 'The decisions regarding the individual investments are made by the investment committee, which is composed of both investors and management.'