Colony NorthStar cites market perceptions of a conflict of interest behind sale. : The company is being sold by the recently merged Colony NorthStar and will bolster Aon’s offering in alternative private market assets. Terry Ahern, chief executive of Townsend, will lead the expanded real estate and real asset investment services of Aon. Townsend advises on $175.7bn in assets and manages $14.5bn. Aon, one of the largest providers of outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services to pension funds, advises on $4.2trn of assets and manages more than $100bn.