Clayton Holdings Adds Merrill Lynch Veteran to Commercial Real Estate Group

Risk analysis provider Clayton Holdings added 15-year industry veteran Brian Clark as senior managing director and business development officer for the company’s commercial real estate (CRE) business. Clark will work with the Clayton CRE team, headed by Ed Robertson, to help financial institutions, CRE owners and investors with portfolio and property valuation services. “Over the past few years we’ve seen a vast change in the commercial real estate market with a drastic tightening of credit and record amounts of commercial real estate debt coming due,” said executive vice president for business development Tom Donatacci, in a press statement. “As the traditional debt markets shift, adding a business development leader with the breadth and depth of experience that [Clark] has, will enhance Clayton’s ability to provide valuable solutions to its CRE clients.” Clark previously served as head of real estate hybrids at Merrill Lynch‘s alternative assets group and its global CRE principal investment group. He also led a distressed commercial whole loan desk at ING. Within his role at Clayton, he will report to Donatacci. “There are many opportunities in the commercial real estate market, but to succeed you need a clear picture of the market,” Clark said. “Investors and capital providers need the type of data, analysis and due diligence that Clayton provides.” Write to Diana Golobay.