Meet our leadership
Co-CEOs and Chairman
Claus Mathisen
Partner, Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Claus is overseeing strategy, partnerships, capital, and business development. Since joining in 2008 and becoming CEO in 2018, he has led the firm’s transformation from Nrep’s €4bn AuM in real estate into Urban Partners, a multi-asset manager with €21bn AuM across credit, venture, private equity, and real estate. Previously, Claus worked at J.P. Morgan in London and later at BCG, advising large infrastructure clients. He is a strong advocate for private capital’s role in tackling urban challenges and is personally involved in The Railway District, a sustainable urban development in Copenhagen. Claus holds an M.Sc. in Economics from Copenhagen Business School.
Jens Stender
Partner, Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Jens is fully responsible for the leadership of the global organization, building a world-class team driving investment performance. Since joining in 2022, he has played a key role in transforming the firm from a Nordic real estate-focused business into a leading international multi-asset manager. A strong advocate for purpose-led leadership, Jens believes values are the foundation of long-term success. Before Urban Partners, he spent 14 years at Egon Zehnder as Senior Partner and Global Co-Head of Technology & Communications. He previously held leadership roles in M&A and founded MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland. Jens holds a Ph.D. in Law and an MBA from London Business School.
Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby
Partner, Co-founder & Executive Chairman
As Executive Chairman of the Board, Mikkel works with Urban Partners’ leadership on strategic direction and key initiatives aimed at making the firm a leading investor in the urban value chain, with a focus on green and thriving cities. Mikkel co-founded the firm in 2005 and served as CEO until 2019. He is a strong advocate for transition capital and long-term stakeholder capitalism, co-chairing Bloomberg’s Dynamic Cities Coalition and LOTUF. Beyond Urban Partners, he supports both nonprofit and for-profit ventures addressing systemic challenges. Mikkel holds a B.Sc. from Copenhagen Business School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Executive Leadership Council
Amin Amirian
Partner, CPO
As Chief People Officer, Amin is responsible for People & Culture and Office Services. Amin joined Urban Partners in 2023, bringing with him extensive international experience from the investment banking and private equity sectors in London. In his role, Amin oversees People & Culture, ensuring that these areas align with Urban Partners’ vision and values. With a strong academic background that includes an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Business and Communication from Roskilde University and a Certificate in Management from London Business School, Amin’s expertise will be instrumental in optimizing organizational development, incentivization structures and establishing new businesses.
Christian Hernandez Gallardo
Partner, 2150
As Head of Venture Capital, Christian leads the technology investment strategy 2150 with the priority to identify innovations across the globe that can tackle the greatest challenges of our cities from cement and concrete to cooling to biodiversity and urban adaptation. A technologist and investor, Christian has held leadership roles at Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, contributing to major platform evolutions. Before 2150, he co-founded White Star Capital, a global VC firm managing over $1 billion in assets. He holds a BA in Economics from Duke University and an MBA from The Wharton School and is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum.
Claus Mathisen
Partner, Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Claus is overseeing strategy, partnerships, capital, and business development. Since joining in 2008 and becoming CEO in 2018, he has led the firm’s transformation from Nrep’s €4bn AuM in real estate into Urban Partners, a multi-asset manager with €21bn AuM across credit, venture, private equity, and real estate. Previously, Claus worked at J.P. Morgan in London and later at BCG, advising large infrastructure clients. He is a strong advocate for private capital’s role in tackling urban challenges and is personally involved in The Railway District, a sustainable urban development in Copenhagen. Claus holds an M.Sc. in Economics from Copenhagen Business School.
Colin Throssell
Partner, CFO
As Chief Financial Officer, Colin leads the finance team, overseeing Group Finance, Fund Finance, Tax, and related functions. He joined the company in 2022 and is committed to optimizing financial outcomes while upholding the firm’s values of trust and making a difference. Prior to Urban Partners, Colin was Head of Real Estate for Europe at Nuveen, managing €30bn in assets and a team of over 200 people. He also served as Global CFO at Nuveen Real Estate and held senior roles at Eurohypo, Erste Bank, and Lehman Brothers. Colin qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young and holds a BA from Bristol University.
Didde Maria Trachsel Kristensen
Partner, IR
As Head of Investor Relations, Didde oversees capital formation efforts, including business development, communication, client services, and investor relations. She joined the firm in 2015 and took responsibility for Investor Relations in 2019. She is also a member of the Executive Leadership Council. Before Urban Partners, Didde spent five years at Ørsted as an M&A Transaction Manager, focusing on divestments and long-term partnerships with institutional investors for offshore wind projects. She also has experience in mortgage financing from Nykredit. Didde holds an M.Sc. in Economics and Business Management from Aarhus University.
Emanuele Bena
Partner, Velo Capital
As Head of Credit, Emanuele is responsible for the alternative credit strategy Velo Capital, overseeing strategy, fund management, and transactions management. Since joining in 2020 as the firm’s first London-based colleague, he has played a key role in establishing its local presence, while developing Velo Capital into a cross-national team focused on cooperation and innovation, with a strong emphasis on sustainability-driven debt investments. Before Urban Partners, Emanuele spent 17 years at JP Morgan, where he led Real Estate and Hospitality Investment Banking across EMEA. He holds a degree in International Finance from Bocconi University in Milan.
Jani Nokkanen
Partner, Nrep
As Chief Investment Officer for the real estate equity strategyat Nrep, Jani chairs the Investment Committee and serves as Fund Manager for Nrep Nordic Strategies Funds I, II, and III. Since joining in 2008, he has played a key role in shaping Nrep’s Finnish operations, building the team, and executing investment strategies. He has led numerous property and portfolio transactions across the Nordics in various real estate segments. Before Nrep, Jani spent five years at BCG, focusing on strategy, corporate finance, and operations, and held roles in M&A at JP Capital, Nordic Advisor Group, and Morgan Stanley. He holds an M.Sc. in Economics (Finance) from the Helsinki School of Economics.
Jens Stender
Partner, Co-CEO
As Co-CEO, Jens is fully responsible for the leadership of the global organization, building a world-class team driving investment performance. Since joining in 2022, he has played a key role in transforming the firm from a Nordic real estate-focused business into a leading international multi-asset manager. A strong advocate for purpose-led leadership, Jens believes values are the foundation of long-term success. Before Urban Partners, he spent 14 years at Egon Zehnder as Senior Partner and Global Co-Head of Technology & Communications. He previously held leadership roles in M&A and founded MFD Mobiles Fernsehen Deutschland. Jens holds a Ph.D. in Law and an MBA from London Business School.
Rune Kock
Partner, Nrep
As Chief Executive Officer for Nrep, Rune leads the real estate equity investment strategy. Since joining in 2012, he has played a key role in sourcing and executing transactions, asset management, and shaping Nrep’s investment strategies. He also serves on the Investment Committee and oversees Nrep’s residential-focused funds. Prior to Nrep, Rune was Head of Investments at ATP Real Estate and spent nine years at Catella Corporate Finance, where he executed transactions worth over €1.8 billion. He holds an M.Sc. in Economics from Copenhagen Business School and is MRICS-certified by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
Xavier Himmer
Partner, COO
As Chief Operating Officer, Xavier is overseeing all operational aspects of the firm, leading the Operational Management Team, including functions such as IT, Finance, Tax, Sustainability, Legal, Compliance & Risk Management. Xavier is committed to driving Urban Partners’ ambitious growth agenda while ensuring an unchanged commitment to our purpose and people through our values. Xavier joined in 2023, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in alternative asset management, including roles as COO at CVC Credit Partners, Cheyne Capital, Stigma Partners, and Altedge Capital, which he co-founded. He holds a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Geneva and is a Swiss Certified Public Accountant.
Board of Directors
Mikkel Bülow-Lehnsby
Partner, Co-founder & Executive Chairman
As Executive Chairman of the Board, Mikkel works with Urban Partners’ leadership on strategic direction and key initiatives aimed at making the firm a leading investor in the urban value chain, with a focus on green and thriving cities. Mikkel co-founded the firm in 2005 and served as CEO until 2019. He is a strong advocate for transition capital and long-term stakeholder capitalism, co-chairing Bloomberg’s Dynamic Cities Coalition and LOTUF. Beyond Urban Partners, he supports both nonprofit and for-profit ventures addressing systemic challenges. Mikkel holds a B.Sc. from Copenhagen Business School and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jim Hagemann Snabe
Vice Chairman, Non-Executive Director
Jim is a Danish business leader with extensive industry experience. His distinguished career includes 25+ years in global technology companies, primarily with SAP AG where he served as Co-CEO, driving growth in cloud computing and emerging markets. He is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG, a Board Member at C3.ai and at Temasek, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees at the World Economic Forum. He was previously Chair of A.P. Moller Maersk and Vice Chair of Allianz SE. On Urban Partners' Board, Jim is a strong advocate for sustainability, digital transformation, and responsible leadership. He holds an MSc in Operations Research from the Aarhus School of Engineering.
Celia Francis
Board member (external)
Celia is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive in the tech and climate industry, with a track record of founding and leading successful companies through to exit. She currently serves as CEO and co-founder of Ponterra, an organization that restores nature by developing and operating quality carbon projects in partnership with local farmers. She has served as CEO three times and brings the Urban Partners Board deep industry expertise, an extensive global network, and decades of experience in strategy, commercial execution, leadership, and stakeholder engagement. She is a Harvard graduate and holds an MBA from MIT.
Morten Jørgensen
Board member (Novo Holdings), Non-Executive Director
Morten is Managing Partner at Novo Holdings, one of the world’s largest privately held investment firms, wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and a shareholder in Urban Partners. He has been on Urban Partners’ Board since Novo Holdings’ 25% investment in the company and is member of the Board of Bagger-Sørensen & Co A/S. Prior to joining Novo Holdings, Morten held roles at Novo Nordisk and Nordea Markets. He holds an MSc in Finance and Accounting from the Aarhus School of Business and an EMBA from IMD, Switzerland.
Rasmus Nørgaard
Board member, co-founder, Non-Executive Director
Rasmus is a co-founder of Urban Partners (formerly Nrep) and served as CIO for 13 years before joining the Board. As a seasoned real estate investor and urban entrepreneur, he has built multiple successful platforms centered on sustainability, communities, and user experience. With deep expertise in urban development and ESG-driven investing, he founded Home.Earth in 2021 to create sustainable, inclusive homes and communities. Rasmus brings extensive experience with real estate investing and sustainability across the ESG spectrum to Urban Partners’ Board. He holds an MSc in Economics from Copenhagen University.