About
Building the urban future, together
Urban Partners is a platform of vision-aligned, differentiated, investment verticals shaped around urban problem solving. We exist to power the progress of cities and citizens by investing to help solve the most pressing urban problems. We do this by uniting insights, stakeholders and capital within the urban ecosystem. We bring capital that is not only fit for profit, but truly fit for purpose. For everyone.
With investments across 15 countries and close to €20bn under management, we invest in assets, companies, technologies, and solutions. We have four active verticals that work independently based on a shared set of core values, towards the same vision of a future in which the urban environment universally contributes to the wellbeing of humanity and the welfare of the planet.
We are united by our aspiration to make a positive, lasting difference, and guided by a strong set of Nordic values, centered around a caring, curious and trusting culture.
United by vision and values
Founded in 2005 to improve the built environment as Nrep, we are grounded in a solid track record of execution and trust with urban stakeholders and investors. As accelerating urbanization has put cities at the forefront of our greatest social, economic, and environmental challenges, we have extended our impact over time to tackle these issues holistically and individually through our verticals – investing in sustainable urban tech solutions through 2150, providing financing solutions to advance the green transition through Velo Capital, and backing ready-to-scale-companies with a focus on materials and tech through Luma Equity. Nrep remains our ESG-focused real estate investor at scale, and these four verticals make up our vision-aligned investment platform. Launched as a uniting platform in 2023, Urban Partners brings real solutions to real urban challenges – making cities a benefit, not a burden, for people and the planet.
Management
Meet our leadership
Our team is comprised of +700 experienced professionals located across eight countries, from diverse backgrounds, including real estate, public sector, technology, private equity, venture capital, architecture, finance and sustainability.
Claus Mathisen
Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Claus oversees all efforts within strategy, partnership, capital, and business development. Claus joined Nrep in 2008 and became CEO in 2018.
He is a firm believer in the constructive role private equity can play in addressing urban challenges. Claus is personally involved in The Railway District, a large-scale urban development area in Copenhagen based on the green and thriving urban thinking in the 15-minute city concept.
Jens Stender
Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Jens is responsible for the organization, leadership and governance set-up. He joined in 2021 after 14 years at Egon Zehnder, a global leader in C-Level executive search and leadership advisory. Jens oversees our Executive Leadership Council.
His focus is to help individuals, teams, and verticals to realize their full potential and he is known as a strong proponent for how leadership comes down to being purpose-led and values-driven.
Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby
Chairperson, Board of Directors
As Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Mikkel supports the Urban Partners leadership on setting the strategic direction for the company. Mikkel laid the foundation for Urban Partners when he co-founded Nordic Real Estate Partners in 2005. He also served as CEO of Nrep until 2019 and co-founded 2150. Mikkel is passionate about problem solving and a firm believer in the positive force of entrepreneurship and human ingenuity.
Board of Directors
Urban Partners A/S
• Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby, Chairperson, co-founder
• Jim Hagemann Snabe, Vice Chairperson
• Rasmus Nørgaard, board member, co-founder
• Morten Jørgensen, board member (Novo Holdings)
• Celia Francis, board member (external)
Executive Leadership Council
Urban Partners
• Claus Mathisen, Co-CEO
• Jens Stender, Co-CEO
• Henrik Bender, COO
• Colin Throssell, CFO
• Didde Kristensen, Head of IR
• Amin Amirian, CPO
• Rune Kock, CEO, Nrep
• Jani Nokkanen, CIO, Nrep
• Christian Hernandez, Managing Partner, 2150
• Emanuele Bena, Managing Partner, Velo Capital
• Stefan Wallander, Managing Partner, Luma Equity