David Hunter, who recently stepped down as Managing Director of £6.5bn Arlington Property Investors, this week revealed exciting plans to create a new business.

As an initial step, he has established Hunter Advisers Limited, a Property Fund Consultancy, as a platform for a broad spectrum of activities. Hunter Advisers will offer support to businesses contemplating launching property funds in the UK and internationally, including structuring advice and fund raising. It will also consider taking a long term role and stake in funds.

“Property Funds are a central part of the global property market and will increasingly dominate the market place. The establishment of REITs in the UK will accelerate the process” commented David Hunter, founding director of Hunter Advisers. “My extensive experience as a fund manager – as a creator and manager of vehicles and as an investor into funds for my clients – has given me an insight into the keys to success. This new business will capitalise on that knowledge and play a leading role in the establishment and management of new funds.

“Selectivity will be crucial to the success of the business and we will only become involved with funds which we believe have the ingredients to succeed for investors and for the promoters. We are already involved with two significant projects – one in the UK and one overseas – which undoubtedly fit this requirement.”

Parallel to the advisory business, Hunter is also planning to assemble a property portfolio focusing on problem assets where his renowned lateral thinking and innovation can reap rewards. “I have my first £100m of capital lined up” said Hunter, “and although many parts of the market are now fully priced I have already seen deals which I think have plenty of scope in them”.

The Hunter Advisers business will be headquartered in Glasgow but with a London base. “I have been successfully balancing this cross-border existence for many years”, explained Hunter, “so I see no reason to change now!”