James Gray

James Gray is the Managing Director of ARE Capital Advisors, based in London, with over 20 years of experience in real estate and finance. He leads the firm's strategic vision, specializing in sourcing, structuring, and executing equity and debt solutions for clients across the UK and Europe. His primary investment focus is on real estate transactions spanning the full capital structure, particularly in bed-led assets such as residential (Build-to-Rent and Build-to-Sell), purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), hotel & hospitality, and healthcare sectors.

Prior to founding ARE Capital Advisors, James held senior roles including Head of Real Estate at Pepper Group (UK), where he managed the asset management and deleveraging of a £500m non-performing loan book on behalf of AB CarVal and Deutsche Bank. He also served as Vice President at JP Morgan and gained advisory experience at CBRE and Knight Frank, demonstrating a strong track record in real estate financing, investment consultancy, and managing complex transactions.

James is a qualified Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and holds a BSc (Hons) in Real Estate Management & Valuation from the University of the West of England. His expertise includes structuring institutional-grade finance solutions, navigating lender markets, and providing selective buy-side advice on 'off-market' deals. Over his career, he has facilitated over £500 million in real estate funding and successfully executed more than 25 landmark projects in the UK and continental Europe.