GLPG expands capital advisory team

London-based multidisciplinary real estate group GLPG has appointed Johnny Grassick as associate director and Emma Solazzo as senior associate within its capital advisory team.

The appointments support the firm’s continued growth, with the team having completed £240 million of new debt facilities during the first quarter of 2026 across the build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation, co-living, retail and office sectors.

Johnny joins with a decade of real estate finance experience at Investec, where he originated and delivered debt solutions across multiple asset classes. 

He said: “I am excited to be part of the GLPG team, particularly at a time when the real estate finance market continues to evolve and clients are facing increasingly complex requirements across both development and investment transactions.

“GLPG’s ability to maintain strong relationships and create tailored solutions across the lending and investment community makes it a fantastic platform to be part of.

“I am looking forward to bringing my experience across debt and equity advisory to the team, supporting clients through transactions and helping to further strengthen GLPG’s capital advisory offering as the business continues to grow.”

Emma brings expertise in real estate M&A, capital markets and investment advisory, having previously held roles at Newmark and Welltower.

Emma added: “I am delighted to be stepping into this position. 

“It is a particularly interesting and complex environment for funding in the UK real estate market.

“My priorities are to support the continued growth of GLPG’s Capital Advisory team and help further strengthen GLPG’s position as a trusted adviser for debt and equity mandates across the UK real estate market.”

Established in 2020, GLPG’s capital advisory team advises developers, investors and operators on debt and equity raising, refinancing and capital structuring. 

Nick Swerner, director of GLPG, added: ““Johnny and Emma bring a depth of financial, capital markets and investment advisory experience that will further strengthen our capital advisory team. 

“They both understand how capital providers think, how transactions need to be structured, and how to support clients through an increasingly complex funding environment.

“As we continue to grow our advisory work across debt, equity and wider capital structuring, Johnny and Emma will play an important role in helping us deliver thoughtful, commercially focused solutions for clients across a broad range of asset classes.

“We are delighted to welcome them to GLPG.”

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