EUROPE - Asset manager Duet Group has launched a new independent investment advisory firm called DRC Capital.

The company, which was launched this month, was formed by the Duet European real estate debt team, which includes partners Dale Lattanzio, Rob Clayton and Cyrus Korat.

The firm will operate as an independent investment adviser focusing on the real estate debt sector in Europe.

DRC Capital will provide investment advisory and asset management services for the £300m (€360m) European Real Estate Debt Fund and the Duet Real Estate Finance, a London Stock Exchange listed investment company that raised £76m in 2011.

Through these vehicles, the team has advised on discretionary debt capital available for acquisition or the refinancing of Western European commercial real estate.

DRC Capital's investment team is formed of three investment managers: Philip Moore, Priti Shah and Aksel Lundquist.

In August, the Duet European Real Estate Debt team reached its targeted final capital close of more than £300m for its mezzanine debt fund.

The capital of the fund, which specialises in providing mezzanine loans secured against high-quality commercial property in Western Europe, was raised from institutional investors across Europe and North America, as well as through Duet Real Estate Finance, a Guernsey -based company listed on the London Stock Exchange.

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