January brought a flurry of high level moves in the European real estate sector
January proved to be an active month on the ground for real estate, closing the final chapters of 2022 and opening the early pages of 2023. A reshuffle in leadership and governance marked the landscape as major companies faced a year expected to be uncertain yet full of strategic shifts.
Blackstone stood at the center of attention. Its Spanish asset-management subsidiaries Anticipa and Aliseda saw the departure of a longtime Real Estate head, Paco Campos, who had led the division since 2017. Reports indicate that after Sareb transferred a portion of the non-performing assets and the government expanded its stake in the business, Álvaro Areal joined Aliseda/Anticipa to oversee relations with Sareb. These moves align with the groups’ broader effort to recalibrate their portfolios amid evolving public and private sector dynamics.
There was also a notable expansion at Expanded Board of Directors, with the inclusion of two state lawyers on leave, Joaquín de Fuentes Bardají and Cristina Vidal Otero, who will serve as private and independent directors. The governance shift signals a push toward greater oversight and seasoned judgment in a year likely to demand nimble strategic responses.
In other strategic appointments, leadership within Wires (Woman in Real Estate Spain), a key network for women managers, saw new responsibilities take shape. Carmen Panadero assumed the role of managing director for Impar Grupo’s venture-capital arm. Cecilia Espinosa de los Monteros joined Simplifika as a capital manager and will participate on its board, reinforcing female leadership in the sector.
Another high-profile transition involved Mabel Capital, the investment firm led by Manuel Campos and counting Abel Matutes and Rafael Nadal as notable names attached to its growth story. Luis Arsuaga was named chief executive, bringing hotel- market expertise from experiences with CBRE, JLL, and Minor-NH to bear on the firm’s strategic trajectory.
Angelo Gordon and Westmont Hospitality, two well-known investment vehicles, continued to chart a path for Room Mate, with Kike Sarasola remaining as executive chairman after the company went through bankruptcy proceedings.
Altamira doValue completed the creation of a dedicated management department for portfolios acquired through mutual funds, a team now comprising about 150 professionals. Conrado Caviro joined in March to help steer this division as part of the executive team. The move aims to streamline portfolio management and improve coordination across assets.
Allianz’s executive talent pool expanded with Elix adding Alex Gebauer, the former head of Western Europe real estate, to the advisory board.
Grupo Lar announced an alliance with AXA IM to build a nursing-home portfolio and appointed Javier Cámara as director of healthcare, tasked with identifying new investment opportunities and managing existing operations.
On the advisory and services side, Colliers reorganized its leadership. Mikel Echavarren, previously its Spain and Portugal advisor, was promoted to president of the Spanish and Portuguese arm, with further promotions for Joan García, Laura Hernando, and Miguel Martínez.
BNP Paribas Real Estate made strategic hires in January as well, naming Luis Muñoz as deputy director of the capital markets assets division. Muñoz has backgrounds at URW and Cushman & Wakefield; Frédéric Stavraky joined as office rentals and sales director for Barcelona, while Ester Pérez assumed the director of operations role and Benjamín Gómez took charge of office business.
JLL strengthened its housing practice under the leadership of Juan Manuel Pardo, with Max Hap stepping in as the new head of rental housing to collaborate with developers, funds, and property professionals to close new deals.
Savills augmented its capital markets team with Brynn Evans taking the director role to coordinate between investment teams. The firm also launched a new operating management service for shopping centers, led by Tomás Domecq, during the early days of 2023.
Overall, January’s activity underlines a trend of careful governance, strategic hires, and targeted leadership changes aimed at strengthening asset management and portfolio execution across the sector. These moves collectively set the stage for the remainder of the year, as firms adapt to a shifting market environment while pursuing growth and efficiency.
Consultants reorganize their teams
Colliers reshaped its leadership in Spain and Portugal, promoting Mikel Echavarren from advisor to president of the Iberian operation. Additional promotions included Joan García, Laura Hernando, and Miguel Martínez, reflecting a broader emphasis on internal leadership development.
BNP Paribas Real Estate added to its senior team in January with Luis Muñoz, formerly of URW and Cushman & Wakefield, joining as deputy director of capital markets assets. Frédéric Stavraky took the helm as office rentals and sales director for Barcelona, Ester Pérez became operations director, and Benjamín Gómez took charge of the office business.
JLL reinforced its housing team with Juan Manuel Pardo at the helm, and Max Hap was named manager of rental housing, tasked with coordinating with developers, funds, and property groups to finalize more deals.
Savills expanded its capital markets unit with Brynn Evans as director, strengthening collaboration across the firm’s investment desks. The firm also rolled out a new shopping-center management service led by Tomás Domecq early in 2023.
The collective effect of these reorganizations signals a sector intent on improving governance, expanding leadership benches, and sharpening execution across portfolios and markets.