THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
array of investments including over 22 broad- acre cropping & livestock holdings in Australia encompassing in excess of 450,000 hectares, over 80,000 hectares of land in Argentina via LIAG, an array of commercial property assets across Sydney as well as stakes in mineral exploration companies across the World. The next evolution in the history of the Kahlbetzer Family is equally as interesting and forms the basis of today’s discussion - eldest son Johnny joined Twynam in 1991 as Chief Operating Officer and was instrumental in a number of deals including the acquisition of Colly Cotton in 1991, the divestment of a significant shareholding in AAco in 1995, the divestment of part of the firm’s irrigation entitlements in 2009 and the sell down of the family’s agricultural assets across Australia between 2009 and 2018. More recently in his role as Chief Executive Officer of Twynam, Johnny has diversified the firm’s investment mandate, incorporating holdings in renewable resources, sustainable agriculture and venture capital, as well as significant property development activities via Jemalong Property Group - all of which are explored in greater detail throughout our conversation. Born in California though spending much of his early life in Argentina, Markus Kahlbetzer moved to Sydney in 2001 and completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Sydney before joining the family business as an Executive Director in 2004.
Markus was instrumental in a number of key deals during his five years at Twynam before utilising funds raised from the divestment of water entitlements and a large portfolio of Australian agricultural assets to launch BridgeLane Group in 2009 - his private family office that boasts a remarkable track-record of investment success including in such ventures as Amaysim, Airtasker and BrickX to name a few. Over the course of the past decade in particular, both Johnny and Markus have carved out their own career pathways and interests whilst simultaneously supporting each other’s growth along the journey - the sale of the family’s Argentinian agriculture business, LIAG, in late 2022 in a $300m transaction provided even greater opportunity for the pair to deploy capital & signalled the beginnings of a new chapter in their storied careers. Our exclusive discussion with special guests Johnny & Markus Kahlbetzer delves into the family’s legacy, the major successes & challenges they’ve encountered alongthe journey, analysis of key deals and transactions across their respective businesses and the sectors & industries within which they see opportunities for investment in the years to come.
June / July 2023 – 7
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