Enterprise Land strengthens European presence through partnership with Spanish firm Optima Global Services

Enterprise Land, the UK and European real estate investment company founded by Andrew Thornton, has established a business in Spain through a strategic partnership with Madrid-based asset management firm, Optima Global Services.

Optima specialises in complex, operational and value-add real estate assets, particularly in the retail sector. It has more than 20 years’ experience and a highly professional team focused on institutional and international clients. As part of the partnership, Iñigo Taboada, Head of Asset Management and Business Development at Optima, will assume the leadership of the venture as team director.

Iñigo brings more than 28 years’ experience across the European real estate sector, having held senior roles at leading companies, including Principal Asset Management, Internos Global Investors, British Land and Vastned Retail. He previously worked alongside Andrew Thornton for 11 years at Principal Asset Management, where he was Head of Asset Management Europe and a member of the Investment Committee.

The partnership with Optima, which is led by joint managing directors,  Luis Vila and Javier Alcalde, marks the next step in Enterprise Land’s European growth strategy, following the recent appointment of Paul Rutte to lead its expansion into the Netherlands.

Both Iñigo and Paul will focus initially on the rollout of Casa, the new purpose-built student accommodation platform launched by Enterprise Land and Capital Assured. Casa aims to set a new standard for student living across Europe, targeting cities in Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, France and the Netherlands with strong academic reputations, large international student populations and favourable market conditions.

Andrew Thornton, founder and chief executive of Enterprise Land, said:

“Our partnership with Optima Global Services and the creation of our Spanish subsidiary represent a significant step in our European expansion. I am especially delighted to be working with Iñigo again. The deep knowledge of the Spanish market, track record in asset management and long-standing relationship with Enterprise Land make Optima an ideal partner as we scale our platform across Iberia. With Iñigo and Paul driving the rollout of Casa, we are well placed to deliver on our vision of creating a leading pan-European student accommodation platform”.