Binyamin Ali

The secondaries specialist has rolled up Timberland Funds VI, VII and VIII into the Stafford International Timberland Continuation Fund.

The firm exited the assets from its Dasos Timberland Fund II vehicle, which closed on €234m in 2014.

The vehicle has been backed by investors including CalSTRS, Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund and Environment Agency Pension Fund.

Paine Schwartz Partners – last year’s top firm – takes second place as the top five in our Agri-Food and Forestry 20 remain unchanged.

McWin’s structural commitment to invest in restaurants as well as the venture tech they need to evolve may be giving the firm an edge in the journey towards commercialization.

Our 2025 Global Awards are now open and close to submissions on 31 December 2025.

From Burger King to vertical farming and cultured meat, McWin’s portfolio spans the food value chain – and the firm is making its network pay by using its distribution channels as a testing ground for prospective investments.

The vehicle held a €75m first close in June 2024 and has surpassed its €150m fundraising target.

The firm intends to return to market with the second fund in its regenerative agriculture series in 2026.

The firm achieved a 15.5% IRR after a near five-year hold of the afforestation property, with buyers attracted by the development work that has already been done to de-risk the asset.