BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 14, 2026--
Walker & Dunlop, Inc. today announced the continued expansion of its hospitality and international capital markets capabilities with the appointment of Patrick Saade as senior managing director, Capital Markets, and co-head of Hospitality Advisory. Based in London, Saade will advise owners and investors on acquisitions, dispositions and capital strategies across Europe, Middle East and Africa.
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Hospitality investment and financing activity is accelerating as operating fundamentals strengthen, and global investors seek opportunities across the sector. The strategic hire allows Walker & Dunlop to meet that demand, expanding its hospitality platform, with Saade working alongside Jay Morrow, co-head of Hospitality Advisory on strategic cross-border mandates. Along with their Walker & Dunlop colleagues in debt advisory, they will drive the growth of the company’s hospitality practice, providing owners and investors with integrated investment sales, debt, equity, and capital advisory solutions.
"Hospitality is an increasingly important part of our capital markets business, and our clients seek advisors who can connect opportunities with capital across markets and geographies," said Kris Mikkelsen, executive vice president and co-head of Capital Markets at Walker & Dunlop. "Pat brings exceptional hospitality expertise and global relationships that strengthen our ability to serve those clients. This expansion reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in senior talent with deep market expertise who can help execute sophisticated investment strategies."
Saade joins Walker & Dunlop with more than 16 years of real estate experience, having advised on more than $15 billion of hospitality transactions throughout Europe and globally. Together, Saade and Morrow will work closely with the firm’s capital markets professionals to connect global capital with investment opportunities across EMEA and the United States.
The appointment underscores the rapid growth and momentum of Walker & Dunlop’s European Capital Markets business. The EMEA team advises leading institutional investors across debt and equity transactions across Europe and the United States. Engagements span multifamily, student housing, data centers, office, and industrial assets ranging in size from $20 million to $1 billion.
"The European capital markets are entering an exciting phase,” said Claudio Sgobba, senior managing director, Capital Markets and co-head of EMEA Debt, Equity and Structured Finance at Walker & Dunlop. “We are building a focused pure play capital markets platform around exceptional people and are attracting some of the market’s best talent. Pat’s arrival further strengthens our ability to advise across the full capital stack and deliver integrated solutions, particularly as demand for sophisticated, cross-border capital markets advice continues to grow. His track record is an exceptional fit for the platform we are building across EMEA.”
Walker & Dunlop's EMEA Capital Markets platform provides debt advisory, equity advisory, and investment sales services across the United Kingdom and the Continent. The team leverages the firm's U.S. platform and global capital relationships to deliver integrated solutions to its clients in Europe and the United States. To learn more about our EMEA capital markets capabilities visit our website.
About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) is one of the largest commercial real estate finance and advisory services firms in the United States and internationally. Our ideas and capital create communities where people live, work, shop, and play. Our innovative people, breadth of our brand, and our technological capabilities make us one of the most insightful and client-focused firms in the commercial real estate industry.
W&D UK Investment Sales Pvt Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Langham Hall Fund Management LLP, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Patrick Saade
ROVANIEMI, Finland (AP) — European leaders were meeting Monday to discuss growing competition in the Arctic, where global warming is opening new shipping routes, governments are vying for vast natural resources and a Russian military buildup is heightening security concerns.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen were among leaders expected for the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, a city perhaps best known for its Santa Claus village.
The two-day gathering that began Sunday comes on the heels of a Norwegian seizure of a Russian vessel earlier this month in the remote Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at the request of Ukraine, drawing the condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters as the meetings got under way that the Arctic was “very important" for European security and prosperity, and a “clear picture” and “common understanding” were needed.
“We have natural resources. We have new sea routes because of climate change. But also we have threats. That’s why we need concrete actions,” he said. “There is so much we can do together.”
The Centres for European Policy Network, a think tank, noted the “extremely dynamic backdrop” for the summit.
It cited factors like accelerating climate change, China's growing trade through the Arctic, and conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, which has raised the importance of the Northeast Passage for maritime shipments.
The meeting serves as a “dress rehearsal” for a looming revamp of the European Union's Arctic policy expected to be released this autumn, with security at the center of the strategy for the first time, the group said.
Climate change has been thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the European bloc has been grappling with its response to U.S. President Donald Trump's persistent pressure over Greenland, a self-governing territory of EU member country Denmark. He has repeatedly said the icy, resource-rich island should be part of the United States. Greenland’s government opposes U.S. designs on the island.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered 200 million euros ($232 million) in EU support over the next two years to help Greenland tackle climate change, boost internet connections and improve hydropower plants, fisheries and education.
Separately Monday, President Alexander Stubb of Finland announced his country was joining France’s “forward deterrence” program that aims to leverage the French nuclear arsenal for European defense. Ten countries have now joined, including Britain, Germany and Finland’s Nordic neighbor countries.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo arrives ahead of the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Members at the First Working Session of The European Arctic Summit meet in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot, from left, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Security Policy Kaja Kallas, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, President of the European Council António Costa, Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal, Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and President of Romania Nicușor Dan pose for a family photo during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Prime Minister of Latvia Andris Kulbergs speaks to the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda speaks with members of the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas speaks to the media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz speaks to media during the European Arctic Summit in Rovaniemi, Finland, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Jouni Porsanger/Lehtikuva via AP)
