Aviva poaches Barclays London lending head

Aviva has hired Barclays’ head of London real estate, Gregor Bamert, to lead its commercial finance origination team.

Bamert will be responsible for Aviva’s origination business across the UK real estate market.

“Gregor brings a considerable wealth of experience in commercial finance origination and is a well-known figure in the real estate finance market,” said Barry Fowler, managing director at Aviva Commercial Finance.

“We are firmly committed to the UK real estate market and his knowledge of the sector will be a great asset as we continue to expand our coverage in the market.”

Bamert will join Aviva later this year from Barclays where he has been responsible for origination and managing the bank’s London-based property clients. He joined the bank in 2001 from Tempest Consultants where he worked in strategy consultation in London and New York.

Aviva has been on an aggressive recruitment drive this year as it seeks to expand its £13bn real estate lending book. It is seeking to add around a dozen staff to its origination, relationship management and credit teams.