London real estate consultancy GLPG has strengthened its Capital Advisory team with the appointments of Johnny Grassick as associate director and Emma Solazzo as senior associate as it looks to build on growing demand for debt and equity advisory services.
The appointments follow a strong start to 2026 for the business, with GLPG arranging £240 million of new debt facilities during the first quarter across the build-to-rent, purpose-built student accommodation, co-living, retail and office sectors.
Grassick (main picture, left) joins from Investec, where he spent a decade originating and delivering real estate finance solutions across multiple asset classes. He will advise clients on debt and equity funding, capital structuring and transaction execution.
Solazzo (main picture, right) joins after roles at Newmark and Welltower, bringing experience in real estate capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and investment advisory. Her role will focus on debt and equity raising, refinancing, acquisition finance and supporting developers and investors through funding transactions.
TAILORED SOLUTIONS
Grassick says: “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.”
And Solazzo adds: “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.”
COMPLEX FUNDING
Nick Swerner, director at GLPG, says: “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.”
