Derby Lane Partners launched as a newly formed alternative investment management firm founded by Adam Piekarski with up to $1.8 billion committed across the platform from the strategic anchor partners. Derby Lane will provide capital solutions to the market across asset classes, with an initial focus on the investment opportunity in commercial real estate credit in North America. The firm launches with the support of strategic anchor partners, including BTG Pactual, funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, Koch Real Estate Investments, Liberty Mutual Investments, Silver Creek Capital Management and Stable.
Piekarski, as Derby Lane’s founder, CEO and chief investment officer, brings over two decades of investment experience across public and private markets in commercial real estate credit, corporate credit and private equity. He most recently served as the co-head of real estate credit at BDT & MSD Partners, where he co-founded and led the buildout of the investment team and the deployment of more than $5 billion of capital for commercial real estate credit investment strategies.
“Today’s market presents an attractive opportunity to invest in commercial real estate debt. We have assembled a seasoned team, paired with flexible capital and a differentiated approach to the market, that positions our firm to play offense while others continue to play defense,” Piekarski said. “As we strive to drive value and sustainable performance across market cycles, we will always remain focused on our disciplined credit process and proactive asset management with our partners.”
In addition to Piekarski, the initial senior members of Derby Lane include Kory Klebanoff, partner, previously the co-head of East Coast originations at ACORE Capital, and Urian Yap, partner and CFO, previously the CFO of Madison Realty Capital. Klebanoff will be joined on the investment team by Matt Doneth, managing director, previously at Apollo Global Management, and Heecheol Pak, managing director, previously at Blackstone.
“At Stable, our business is focused on partnering with investment firms to help them build enduring platforms. We manage capital on behalf of leading institutions, including U.S. public pension plans, and seek to back founders who demonstrate investment discipline and a long-term approach to firm building. Adam has built and led investment businesses with a clear focus on execution, and we are pleased to participate in the launch of Derby Lane,” Erik Serrano Berntsen, CEO and founder of Stable, said.
Piekarski concluded, “We are incredibly grateful to our strategic partners for their support and shared conviction in our vision for Derby Lane. With our team’s extensive experience and deep industry relationships, Derby Lane is positioned to invest with flexibility, speed and discipline in a market undergoing generational change.”
