Avison Young expands UK Capital Markets platform with new Head of Debt Advisory

Global commercial real estate advisor Avison Young has announced the appointment of Richard Day as Head of Debt Advisory in its Capital Markets team in the UK. Richard will be based in Avison Young’s London headquarters and will leading the growth of debt brokerage and advisory teams, as the firm continues to invest in its global Capital Markets platform.

With a strong background in London offices and other asset classes across the UK and Europe, Richard joins from Laurus Property Partners, a real estate finance boutique where he served as Managing Director for five years, having previously held senior positions at CBRE, Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo.

Richard will be responsible for growing Avison Young’s debt offer, building expertise across asset class and geography and providing the firm’s clients with full optionality and best-in-class global advice to maximise returns.

His arrival coincides with a wider restructure of Avison Young’s Capital Markets business, leveraging its core London and national expertise and utilising its debt and equity platforms in North America to deepen relationships with, and deliver a market-leading offer to, its existing clients in the UK.

Richard will also focus on actively pursuing new UK and international mandates, including working closely with institutional investors and responding to the growing influence of private high-net-worth capital, ensuring the firm is well positioned to advise across a diverse and global investor landscape.

Chris Pilgrim, Principal, Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets UK at Avison Young, said:
“Richard’s appointment is an enormously positive step as we build a fully integrated Capital Markets business operating across the entire capital stack. This is part of a wider growth story for Avison Young, as we reshape our platform into a single, cohesive offering that allows clients to tap into our national expertise while benefiting from the scale of our global business.

“We are investing heavily in top-tier talent and selectively expanding the team as we strengthen our advisory capabilities, while ensuring close alignment with our Capital Markets teams across key international markets. As we elevate our proposition for clients, Richard’s expertise, coupled with the depth of our debt and equity platforms in North America, will be invaluable in driving growth for the business.”

Richard Day, Head of Debt Advisory at Avison Young, added:
“This is an exciting time to be joining Avison Young. As capital markets become more complex and more connected, clients increasingly need advice that is both deeply local and genuinely global to unlock the right opportunities. Avison Young’s collaborative culture, coupled with its expanding Capital Markets platform, presents the opportunity to deliver smarter, more flexible financing solutions.

“My focus will be on shaping a best-in-class debt advisory offer that helps existing and new clients to navigate shifting market dynamics, unlock capital and execute with confidence across sectors and geographies. I’m looking forward to working with Chris and the wider team to grow our platform and proposition.”

Scott Singer, Principal, Co-Lead of Tri-State Debt & Equity Finance at Avison Young, added:
“We’re extremely excited to further strengthen the connection between our New York and London debt and equity teams. As capital becomes more global and increasingly complex, it’s essential that our debt and equity platforms are closely aligned across regions.

“Richard’s appointment reinforces our ability to deliver coordinated, cross-border advice, bringing together local market expertise with deep global capital relationships to help clients execute with confidence.”