Private equity firm Art Capital appoints former JP Morgan executive to head fresh European commercial real estate back leveraging division

Art Capital, a leading advisory firm in the real estate industry, has announced the establishment of a new division - Art Capital Structured Finance (ACSF). The division will be headed by Alexander (AJ) Storton, a former executive at JP Morgan Chase.

Storton, who joined Art Capital as its fourth partner in late August, brings with him a wealth of experience in the field. Prior to his tenure at JP Morgan Chase, he spent more than six years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he held roles in origination, underwriting, syndication, and securitization across the UK and Europe. At JP Morgan Chase, Storton established one of Europe's largest back leverage platforms.

Tim Vaughan, a partner at Art Capital, stated that back leverage can enhance debt funds' pricing competitiveness and open up opportunities to match bank-level margins. He added that establishing ACSF will allow Art Capital to expand its offering in an under-served part of the advisory market.

ACSF's initial focus will be on advising clients on Commercial Real Estate (CRE) back leverage and loan-on-loan financing. The division aims to expand into wider structured finance activities in the future. Art Capital expects to have closed £1.5bn in transactions by the end of the third quarter of 2025.

Storton's appointment comes at a time when Art Capital is actively working on more than £3bn of live mandates across the UK and Europe. The firm's commercial real estate advisory services cater to loans ranging from £20m to over £500m.

Stuart Blieschke, another partner at Art Capital, previously led KKR's private credit business in Australasia and North Asia. Blieschke also established Pacific Alliance Group's first special situations and direct lending funds.

The launch of ACSF is a strategic move by Art Capital to strengthen its position in the real estate advisory market. With Storton at the helm, the division is poised to make significant contributions to the firm's growth and success.

Private equity firm Art Capital appoints former JP Morgan executive to head fresh European commercial real estate back leveraging division