Fiera Real Estate has appointed Ignacio Ruíz Gallego as Investment Associate in its European Real Estate Debt team, marking a key move in expanding the firm’s private credit footprint across Iberia. The appointment underscores the ambitions of parent company Fiera Capital, which manages over €104.5bn (US$112.3bn) globally and is building a robust platform for private market investments across Southern Europe.
Based in Madrid, Ruíz will originate and execute debt investments in Spain and Portugal. He joins from CBRE, where he was Associate Director in Capital Advisors, bringing extensive experience in structuring and placing real estate debt across the region. Fiera’s European Real Estate Debt Strategy, launched in 2023, has already committed capital to projects in Valencia and Alicante, totalling €36.3m for over 500 PBSA beds. These deals highlight Fiera’s sharp focus on emerging demand in sectors like student accommodation, where structural undersupply offers clear opportunities.
“With alternative lenders continuing to comprise a fraction of the funding landscape, the Iberian market presents a compelling opportunity for well-positioned players to capitalise on structural dislocation,” said Richard Howe, Managing Director and Co-Head, European Real Estate Debt. “Ruiz's in-depth experience will prove invaluable in accelerating our real estate debt drive in Spain and Portugal, focused on the sweet spot of senior-secured loans to best-in-class sponsors.”
The move also aligns with Fiera’s strategic expansion across private markets, with the €5bn global private credit platform now spanning real estate, infrastructure, agriculture and timberland. The firm is also bolstering local distribution through Manuel Dalla Corte, SVP and Head of Southern Europe, who has played a pivotal role in building a strong regional investor base.
“Fiera's European debt platform has carved out its presence in the Spanish market, buoyed by a significant supply/demand imbalance in the PBSA sector,” said Ignacio Ruíz Gallego. “As alternative lenders look to take up a growing share of a space once held near exclusively by banks, and borrowers become increasingly accustomed to working with non-bank sources, I look forward to further cementing Fiera’s presence in the Iberian market.”
Charles Allen, Head of European Real Estate, added: “Our European Debt Platform has already established itself as an early mover in the Spanish market, and Ignacio’s appointment will help us build on that momentum. It also reflects our ambition to deepen our presence in key European real estate markets and capitalise on the compelling opportunities we see across the region.”
People mentioned:
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Ignacio Ruíz Gallego, Investment Associate, Fiera Real Estate
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Richard Howe, Managing Director and Co-Head, European Real Estate Debt, Fiera Real Estate
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Manuel Dalla Corte, SVP, Head of Wholesale Switzerland and Head of Southern Europe, Fiera Capital
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Charles Allen, Head of European Real Estate, Fiera Real Estate
Companies mentioned:
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Fiera Real Estate – Investment management firm specialising in real estate
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Fiera Capital Corporation – Global asset manager and parent company of Fiera Real Estate
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CBRE – Global real estate services and investment firm
IMAGE: Ignacio Ruíz Gallego
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