Walker & Dunlop, one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally, has expanded its London-based brokerage and capital markets advisory team.
Javier Villanueva becomes managing director and will report to Claudio Sgobba, senior managing director and head of EMEA capital markets.
Villanueva will be responsible for leading the structuring and execution of capital solutions across all property types and jurisdictions throughout Europe and the Middle East.
Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, he was a managing director, acting as head of investment management, at real estate investment advisory platform Martley Capital.
The company described Villanueva as an Eastdil Secured veteran after he spent nearly a decade at the firm in London, joining in 2014 as the firm was setting up operations in EMEA.
Focusing on debt solutions, he helped grow the nascent platform into the top advisory firm in EMEA. Previous roles include positions at LNR, Wachovia and Deutsche Bank in London and Nomura and MUFG Securities in New York.
Sgobba said in a statement: "We are bringing together a group of financial professionals, true global citizens and bankers, driven by an unwavering dedication to exceed client expectations. Javier is a perfect representation of our team and brings along with him deep expertise and a great network.
"Villanueva brings 25 years of experience and over $55 billion of deal activity in commercial real estate, having worked at premier firms focusing on investment banking, advisory, investment management, lending, and structuring. He will be a true asset as we continue to grow our Walker & Dunlop footprint in this part of the world."
Walker & Dunlop established its London office at 49 Grosvenor Street in Mayfair earlier this year. Its current EMEA leadership includes former heads of debt and equity capital raising desks, from firms such as ING, RBS, KKR and Standard Chartered Bank.
Villanueva said in a statement: "I am thrilled to join Walker & Dunlop at a pivotal moment in its growth. Having been in a similar circumstance previously in my career, I appreciate the ‘secret sauce that is vital to international expansion in this region.
"As former investors and lenders ourselves, this team of deal makers possesses decades of experience that transcends mere advisory roles."