Who We Are
The story and journey behind GLPG.
Who We Are
The story and journey behind GLPG.
Our journey
Adecade ago, Dean Leslie and Matt Glazer founded GLPG with a clear aim: to build an independent real estate advisory business combining specialist expertise with an entrepreneurial approach.
Launched in January 2016, the business initially focused on Investment and Development Agency.
In January 2020, Nick Swerner joined as Partner to establish Capital Advisory, followed by the launch of Affordable Housing in March 2025.
Today, based in Marylebone, London, our three specialist teams work together to advise clients on transactions, funding and affordable housing. We have completed over £2.5 billion across hundreds of transactions, with industry recognition including Commercial Agency of the Year and Financier of the Year.
We continue to invest in our people and technology to strengthen the advice and service we provide.
Continue for our timeline, or meet the people behind it.
Meet the teamOur journey
Adecade ago, Dean Leslie and Matt Glazer founded GLPG with a clear aim: to build an independent real estate advisory business combining specialist expertise with an entrepreneurial approach.
Launched in January 2016, the business initially focused on Investment and Development Agency.
In January 2020, Nick Swerner joined as Partner to establish Capital Advisory, followed by the launch of Affordable Housing in March 2025.
Today, based in Marylebone, London, our three specialist teams work together to advise clients on transactions, funding and affordable housing. We have completed over £2.5 billion across hundreds of transactions, with industry recognition including Commercial Agency of the Year and Financier of the Year.
We continue to invest in our people and technology to strengthen the advice and service we provide.
Continue for our timeline, or meet the people behind it.
Meet the teamOne trajectory.
From a specialist investment and development agency to one of the UK’s most active independent real estate advisory groups, GLPG has grown through new teams, new service lines, industry recognition and £2.5+ billion completed across hundreds of transactions.
2016
Founded
GLPG is launched in January 2016 by Dean Leslie and Matt Glazer, with an initial focus on Investment and Development Agency and an entrepreneurial approach to advisory.
2017
First growth
The team expands and the client base broadens, with repeat instructions across investment and development mandates in London and the wider UK.
2018
Mandates scale
Larger mandates and a rising volume of transactions establish the pattern the business is built on: senior throughout, commercial, agile and highly effective.
2019
Wider reach
Activity deepens across core markets as the business builds relationships with developers, investors and funders on both open and off market opportunities.
2020
Capital Advisory
Nick Swerner joins as a Partner in January 2020 to launch Capital Advisory, adding debt and equity expertise and creating a more connected platform around the transaction.
2021
Debt and equity
Capital Advisory grows quickly, placing structured debt and equity alongside agency so the same team can finance the deals it sources.
2022
Deeper markets
New hires join across the group and specialist teams develop around each core service line, adding depth across the development lifecycle.
2023
Platform maturity
Investment and Development Agency and Capital Advisory operate as one integrated platform, with clients advised end to end rather than division by division.
2024
Industry recognition
Progress is recognised by the industry, with awards including Commercial Agency of the Year and Financier of the Year.
2025
Affordable Housing
GLPG launches Affordable Housing in March 2025, adding a third dedicated service line and further extending the group's reach across the development lifecycle.
2026
£2.5 billion completed
GLPG has now completed more than £2.5 billion across hundreds of transactions, and continues to invest in people and technology from its Marylebone headquarters.
One trajectory.
From a specialist investment and development agency to one of the UK’s most active independent real estate advisory groups, GLPG has grown through new teams, new service lines, industry recognition and £2.5+ billion completed across hundreds of transactions.
2016
Founded
GLPG is launched in January 2016 by Dean Leslie and Matt Glazer, with an initial focus on Investment and Development Agency and an entrepreneurial approach to advisory.
2017
First growth
The team expands and the client base broadens, with repeat instructions across investment and development mandates in London and the wider UK.
2018
Mandates scale
Larger mandates and a rising volume of transactions establish the pattern the business is built on: senior throughout, commercial, agile and highly effective.
2019
Wider reach
Activity deepens across core markets as the business builds relationships with developers, investors and funders on both open and off market opportunities.
2020
Capital Advisory
Nick Swerner joins as a Partner in January 2020 to launch Capital Advisory, adding debt and equity expertise and creating a more connected platform around the transaction.
2021
Debt and equity
Capital Advisory grows quickly, placing structured debt and equity alongside agency so the same team can finance the deals it sources.
2022
Deeper markets
New hires join across the group and specialist teams develop around each core service line, adding depth across the development lifecycle.
2023
Platform maturity
Investment and Development Agency and Capital Advisory operate as one integrated platform, with clients advised end to end rather than division by division.
2024
Industry recognition
Progress is recognised by the industry, with awards including Commercial Agency of the Year and Financier of the Year.
2025
Affordable Housing
GLPG launches Affordable Housing in March 2025, adding a third dedicated service line and further extending the group's reach across the development lifecycle.
2026
£2.5 billion completed
GLPG has now completed more than £2.5 billion across hundreds of transactions, and continues to invest in people and technology from its Marylebone headquarters.