strategies

The manager’s head of real estate debt investment research argues several factors are drawing investors to the asset class.

James Jacobs, head of real estate for Lazard’s private capital advisory group, says the easing of restrictions on both sides of the Atlantic is changing institutions’ appetite for risk.

The UK consultancy appointed former JLL and CAPRA property credit specialist Chris Holmes to spearhead a new branch of its debt advisory business.

Large pools of capital have been raised for distressed strategies, but thanks to government support schemes, finding a home for it is proving a challenge.

Alternative debt providers are increasingly willing to fill the void left by banks in the European sector, but financing mandates remain scarce.

Market sources say non-bank lenders dominate the financing of such schemes as they look for returns in parts of the market underserved by traditional banks.

Following its acquisition of debt manager DRC Capital, Savills IM’s global chief executive says there is huge potential in credit strategies as banks retrench from real estate.

Louise Gillon, head of hotel finance at lender Leumi UK, says she is confident in long-term demand for high-quality accommodation in city centre locations.

An investor in each major region talks about what real estate debt means to their respective organisation.

The real estate manager has hired Isabelle Brennan from M&G and Michelle Liu from CIT to expand its debt platforms on both sides of the Atlantic.