Listed property valuation firm LandMark White is setting up a new investment management arm that boasts industry heavyweights Linden Toll, president of ADPIA, and ex-Investa fund manager Michael Este at its helm.

LandMark White has traditionally been a property valuation and consultancy firm, but its latest venture, LMW Invest, marks its first foray into the funds management space with a property twist.

The venture has the backing of Este and Toll, who joined the firm respectively as executive director funds management and director of marketing and distribution.

Este is a listed and direct property expert, with a career spanning 20 years across the two sectors. Prior to his appointment, Este was a fund manager with Investa Property Group.

Meanwhile Toll, president of the Australian Direct Property Investment Association, will be leading the distribution and marketing activities of the fund. Toll was previously with Orchard Funds Management and Multiplex Capital, among others.

Although Brad Piltz, chef executive of LandMark White Group said that the firm's new funds will be property-centric and targeted towards the retail investor, he has yet to confirm if the product will be a listed or unlisted offering.

But the key differentiator of the fund would be its low gearing levels, significant risk mitigation and conservative strategies, said Piltz.

"As valuers we are traditionally conservative. I think what the market needs right now are property people managing property funds, people who understand and mitigate against risk. We are in the business of mitigating risk, so going out there and making a property fund is a natural step for our [business]," said Piltz.

"At the moment we're about harnessing our value add - which is the business itself and bringing our expertise to the table. We'll be looking at opportunities, whether they are arbitrage ones between unlisted and listed sectors, or a listed property fund, but we'll be looking for ones that would best suit our clients depending on the market cycle," said Toll.

LMW Invest is expected to unveil its offerings officially on the 1st of October.