Valor Real Estate Partners, the company set up by former Delin chief executive Christian Jamison and the founders of KTR Capital Partners, has made two senior hires and announced its first UK acquisition.

The industrial specialist has recruited Victor Massias and Cane Napolitano as principals from IDI Gazeley.

Massias will initially focus on southern Europe, including France, Italy and Spain, while Napolitano’s initial focus will be on the UK, Netherlands and Germany. They will be tasked with building up Valor’s portfolio.

“Victor and Cane have an impressive level of deal experience as well as a strong understanding of the evolving occupational requirements within the logistics real estate sector,” said Jamison.

The company has already made its first acquisition, purchasing a 7.7-acre site next to Heathrow Airport, West London from Kidder Graviner.

Valor will now seek planning permission to demolish the existing facility and develop up to 140,000 sq ft of industrial space. Kidder Graviner will continue to occupy the existing premises for approximately 12 months under a leaseback agreement.

The price paid for the site is believed to be around the £15m mark and the gross development value around £35m.

The project will be managed by Valor and its development partner, Canmoor, a UK based developer which specialises in industrial and warehouse development.

Jamison said: “The site is perfectly positioned to service both airport related demand as well as the growing e-commerce market for the Central/West London area. This will be one of few large, high calibre projects to be built in the area over the last decade.”

Hugh Chesterton of Canmoor added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Valor Real Estate Partners on its debut acquisition. This development will deliver the high quality, modern industrial space which occupiers are crying out for in this sought-after West London location.”

After launching this summer, Valor is continuing to build out its team. Alongside Massias and Massias, Layla Powell is joining the company as an executive assistant from Permira.

“Layla brings with her substantial experience of the private equity industry,” said Jamison.

Valor will target the UK and western Europe and has a broad remit to invest in a variety of industrial properties as well as pursue development. It will have a value-add investment style looking for total returns in the mid-teens and above.