The first day of the Spain Real Estate Summit 2025 will feature an essential discussion on the current state of real estate financing, exploring how market conditions have shifted over the past year and what the future holds for equity, bonds, debt markets, and NPL portfolios.
Taking place on May 6th and 7th at La Finca UZalacaín in Madrid, the Summit gathers over 350 global leaders and investors to analyze Spain’s position as a premier investment destination. Organized by Iberian Property in collaboration with CBRE and JLL, the event serves as a platform for industry professionals to examine key economic trends and financing strategies shaping the real estate landscape.
Opening the event will be James Seppala, Head of Real Estate Europe at Blackstone, with a keynote session titled “A Financier’s View of Real Estate”.
Mr. Seppala will share his perspective on the evolving global property landscape, drawing from his role leading real estate investments at Blackstone, the world’s largest real estate owner. The session will be introduced and moderated by Adolfo Ramírez-Escudero, Chairman of Capital Markets EMEA and CEO in Spain of CBRE.
A roundtable discussion will follow to delve into financing cycles, the evolving debt market, and the growing role of alternative capital sources. The panel brings together leading voices in real estate finance: Edward Boots, Head of RE Finance Continental Europe at M&G Investments; Stefano Lombardo, Head of Debt Funds Europe at Generali; and Omar El Glaoui, Managing Director, Co-Head of EMEA RE Finance at Citi.
Edward Boots, who recently joined M&G’s Real Estate Finance team, brings extensive expertise in commercial real estate lending. Based in Amsterdam, he is responsible for expanding M&G’s European real estate credit portfolio. With a background that includes leadership roles at HSBC Continental Europe and Deutsche Bank AG, Edward has a deep understanding of real estate loan origination and the strategic shifts in financing. His insights will shed light on how alternative lenders like M&G are capitalizing on the retreat of traditional banks from refinancing commercial loans.
Stefano Lombardo leads Generali’s debt fund activities across Europe, focusing on senior debt financing. With rising interest rates and economic uncertainty redefining risk assessments, Stefano will offer perspectives on how Generali has adapted its pricing, loan-to-value ratios, and covenant structures. Additionally, he will address the competitive landscape for senior debt providers and the trends shaping financing structures over the next two years.
Omar El Glaoui, Managing Director and Co-Head of EMEA Real Estate Finance at Citi, has nearly two decades of expertise spanning loan underwriting, distressed acquisitions, and structured debt solutions. Having joined Citi in 2014 after starting his career at J.P. Morgan, Omar brings a global perspective on the financing outlook, highlighting how banks are navigating the complexities of senior and mezzanine debt markets across Europe.
By offering a comprehensive view of financing dynamics in today’s evolving market, this session will provide attendees with strategic insights into the opportunities and challenges defining real estate finance.
The Spain Real Estate Summit 2025 continues to be the go-to forum for industry leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, shaping the future of the real estate market in Spain and beyond. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with key decision-makers and gain valuable perspectives on the forces driving investment strategies. Learn more about the event HERE.