Meet the Speakers

A broad selection of property, investment and finance topics will be covered within the seminar and debate programme. Sessions will be presented by a variety of speakers – representing a variety of backgrounds.

The list includes the following …

Simon Zutshi has been successfully investing in property since 1995. He became financially independent at the age of 32 thanks to the passive income from his...

...multimillion-pound portfolio. Simon now spends his time helping and educating other investors to achieve the same success as him. Simon is an international professional speaker, regularly asked to share his 2 decades of property investing experience at major wealth creation events organised by the biggest names in the business such as Anthony Robbins, Robert Allen and T Harv Eker. His book “Property Magic” became an instant Amazon No 1 best seller when launched in 2008. In 2007 Simon launched the original “Property Mastermind Programme” specifically designed to help people become professional investors.

Simon at Stand 415

One of the few market commentators who, from 2002 onwards, regularly warned private investors as to the very clear risk factors relating to the purchase of new-build...

...apartments for investment. In early 2007 Richard Bowser emphatically predicted that mortgage lending would quickly become more difficult and expensive and that investors should avoid carrying excessive debt levels on low yielding property. Over the last decade Richard has regularly spelt out to investors the inherent risk of speculative investment strategies based on low yields and excessively high LTV borrowing. A sought-after speaker at many events, Richard’s views are widely recognised and valued - most importantly by the thousands of subscribers to Property Investor News magazine.

Richard Blanco buys, lets and manages properties in six London boroughs. His areas of interest and expertise include buying at auction, managing the development process...

...encouraging positive landlord tenant relations, financing and business strategy. He is a London Representative for the National Residential Landlords Association, has a keen interest in housing policy, press and media and regularly comments on housing matters through talks, blogging, press, radio and TV. He is a regular presenter of House Hunters International which broadcasts in the USA then globally on the Discovery Network and presents the NRLA podcast 'Listen Up Landlords' and 'Inside Property' for Share Radio.

Richard at Stand 310

Less Tax 4 Landlords cofounder Chris Bailey is a landlord, business owner and Chartered Accountant who has been involved in the property industry for almost 30 years.

He runs five award-winning accountancy practices, a tax advisory company and a property Capital Allowance business. Chris has over ten years’ experience of Capital Allowance claims and he has extensive knowledge of the complexities and challenges of property tax law. His first role after qualifying as a chartered accountant was as the group accountant to one of the largest private property groups in Yorkshire. After moving back into private practice, he built an accountancy practice that was eventually floated on the AIM market.

With more than 20 years' mortgage industry experience, Mortgages for Business’ Jeni Browne has an unrivalled knowledge of the buy to let and residential mortgage industry.

She is a frequent speaker at property investment events with a real knack for explaining complex, jargon-filled funding concepts clearly and concisely. A landlord herself, Jeni really understands the challenges the Private Rental Sector faces and regularly advocates for landlords in her contributions to the national and industry press.

With an infectious passion for all things property, James Forrester has over 15 years’ experience in sourcing property investment opportunities, developing investment strategy...

...negotiation and property marketing.

He honed his skills in overseas property & UK BTL investments and, since acquiring City Centre Investments in 2015, his significant involvement in prime city centre property investments and purpose-built student accommodation has made him one of the go-to specialists in this sector.

James advises on the regional, economic, financial and political factors that affect the property investment market and works closely with new and seasoned buy-to-let investors to help them maximise their returns.

Ritchie Clapson CEngMIStructE, has been involved in property development for over 35 years, and as co-founder of propertyCEO, he teaches people how development...

...is not only more lucrative than most other property strategies, but it can also actually be easier to do. Ritchie’s development pedigree speaks for itself. A structural engineer by profession, he’s not only worked on hundreds of new-build, commercial and industrial conversion projects, he’s also trained and mentored countless developers and property professionals during his long career in the industry. Today Ritchie and business partner Ian Child head up propertyCEO, one of the country’s most exclusive property development training companies.

Charlotte Rutter entered the specialist finance sector seven years ago, previously working for a specialist finance distributor before joining Roma Finance.

She is CIM qualified and has worked in marketing and communications for over 17 years across various industries. Charlotte has a passion for finance - particularly the specialist market, where a real difference can be made for so many borrowers. The short-term lending sector is a buoyant and exciting place to be and she thrives on supporting partners and customers to maximise opportunities for all.

Meet

Russell Quirk is well known in the property industry as both an estate agency boss and PR guru – as cofounder of ProperPR.

He’s been round the block a few times having run traditional and online businesses in the sector for over 25 years and is infamous for his opinionated and straight-talking stance on anything and everything property. He takes no prisoners.

He’s a regular pundit on housing matters for TalkRADIO, LBC and the BBC and is a founder panelist for TalkRADIO’s 'Plank of the Week’.

George Scott arrived at Progressive Property in his overdraft and quickly went on to completely replace his income through Deal Packaging!

George now packages entire property portfolios and freehold blocks to investors and helps others to do the same through delivering training and mentoring at Progressive.

Kam Dovedi is the founder of The Premier Property Group and has over 30 years of property experience. He is regarded as one of the UK’s most influential and most respected property...

...investors and developers because of how active he is in the UK Property market. Kam has implemented and still does implement a variety of property investing strategies successfully, such as: buy to lets, HMOs, Permitted Developments, New Builds, and Commercial Conversions, which means he has built up a significant multi-million-pound property portfolio. Kam has trained many property investors, developers, and entrepreneurs over the last decade to help them to take their property investing to the next level, whether they are new to property or experienced.

Property Deals Insight was born because of problems and pain points faced by Nitin Aggarwalalong with 1000s of other property investors - when buying their first home...

...investment properties, development projects, HMOs and BTLs etc. Nitin realised that the property investment life cycle is way too slow, as even today the property industry is still using archaic techniques and manual processes that slow down the property investment cycle. Coming from a technology background and having lead industry change initiatives worth 100s of millions of pounds, Nitin decided to create a solution to help every party involved in the overall property journey - and Property Deals Insight was borne.

Based in the South West, Verto were the UK’s first housebuilder to specialise in the design, build and sale of smart homes which produce zero carbon emissions

Marc invested in his first property during his "year off" before going to university. He continued to invest during his career in the City, when he worked in the US, across...

...Europe and in Asia. Marc joined Benham and Reeves Lettings in 1996. His banking background providing a unique perspective into property investment from a financial and logistical perspective, as did his personal history of investing in properties from London to Dubai to Malaysia and Brazil. He joined the board in 2001 and spends a lot of time developing relationships with investors across the world.

David Sandeman purchased his first property at auction in 1984 and has been involved in auctions ever since. In 1990 he set up the Essential Information Group...

...to report on every auction held in the UK. E I Group provides its clients with information on every property coming to auction by way of database searches and email alerts – plus it holds full information on past lots as well. David is highly respected as one of the UK's auction specialists and is regularly interviewed by the national media for comment on the property auction market. He works closely with Auctioneers to promote the industry.

Jane Simpson is a highly experienced financial services professional who has worked in the buy-to-let and commercial sector for 16 years...

...holding a number of senior positions in sales and operations before being appointed Managing Director at TBMC in 2015. TBMC is a buy-to-let specialist, providing expertise and support to place complex cases in a challenging lending environment. Jane’s focus is on shaping the TBMC proposition for brokers and landlords to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the market.

Simon Howitt's family are private landlords with over 45 properties and understand the journey and the pressures landlords today are on.

Simon is also a senior partner at Acuity Professional, a top 200 UK professional services firm where his teams specialise in property tax planning with our HQ in London and staff located across the UK.

They've helped over 4000 landlords to make the most of their assets and provide cost-effective solutions which offer a great return on investment for you. They currently specialise in Section 24 (the Landlord tax), Capital Gains Tax and inheritance planning and our more comprehensive team offer services in accountancy, mortgages, Pensions wills and trusts and financial planning.

With over a decade in Senior Roles, Adam Ross brings a wealth of experience to the IPG Management team.

His experience has led him to work with some of the UK’s leading property developers establishing effective routes to market and launching several projects globally. Originally starting his career living and working in The Middle East, Adam has amassed a vast knowledge of investment markets here in the U.K and overseas. With Integrity and at the forefront of the business’s sales operations, Adam will ensure new and returning customers will continue to benefit from IPG developments for years to come.

Ashish Saraff has been an investment professional for over 20 years and comes with extensive experience in securities, investment banking, real estate finance...

...energy finance, equities, and commodities markets. He is an MBA alumnus of London Business School. He has previously served in corporate roles as Managing Director - South Asia and Middle East at AVG America Investments LLC and Director of India at LCR Capital Partners LLC. Ashish lives in Cambridge, with his wife and son.

A familiar face on the Portsmouth property scene and the force behind the growing Pro Pods collection of contemporary co-living rental properties for professionals.

Daryn Brewer has been a property agent for two decades, has extensive experience in property renovations and consults on property investment. Daryn won ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ and Pro Pods was named ‘Overall Business of the Year’ at The News Business Excellence Awards 2022. Daryn’s current focus is to press the VOA to investigate the fundamental flaw in the residential council tax valuation process that adversely affects co-living renters with regards to paying a fair and affordable tax bill.

Wendy Whittaker-Large’s journey began in 1996. With a small pot of inheritance money and took her first step into the property world with a student HMO.

With no real knowledge of the industry, little did she know she was heading onto a very steep learning curve. It was not an easy ride and she spent the next decade focusing on single buy-tolets, whilst juggling employment and growing family commitments. Realising that more could be achieved from a property portfolio by investing in HMOs, it dawned on her that it was time rekindle her relationship with houses of multiple occupancy and to secure her future. She worked hard to develop her knowledge and today holds a multi-million-pound portfolio in Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent.

Alan Murdie is a specialist in council tax, housing and debt law issues dating back to 1989, including many test cases in the lower and higher courts.

He is director of Council Tax Legal Services and Nucleus Legal Advice in Earl's Court, London. He has been involved with the Council Tax since its inception in 1992, editing eight editions of the Council Tax Handbook since 1998 and co-author of The Enforcement of Local Taxation (2001) with Ian Wise QC.

An expert in HMOs and Co-living, Matt Baker found his calling as an investor and developer in early 2015 and has been passionate about converting houses and commercial...

...buildings into shared living accommodation ever since. Originally a professional piano player and teacher, Matt has always been interested in, and had a knack for, setting up and running successful businesses. With his first venture, Thame Institute of Music, in South Oxfordshire; being sold in 2018 after 6 years of operation. Matt is well placed to help others build and excel their own businesses especially in property. With business partner Niall, he began Scott Baker Properties. Here they have grown a successful property investment and development business with a substantial portfolio.

Toyan St Hilaire is a senior investment consultant at Aspire Property Group. Having started with the company over 3 years ago, Toyan has helped 100's of people...

...like you, grow their wealth through investment property. With Aspire, Toyan has sold over £39 million of property, and is eager to share what he and founders Dan Buchan & Jamie York have learned about the market at the property investor show.

Before becoming Franchise Director at Sourced Chris Kirkwood had his own property portfolio covering multiple strategies and had a property training business and...

...mentorship programme. Now, with just below 200 franchisees Chris has the responsibility of growing the franchise side of Sourced, including helping to grow the success within the franchise, and overseeing planning, sales and marketing, support structure, operations and technology in the business.

Meet Toyan at Stand 325

Meet Chris at Stand 215

Richard Payne has worked in all aspects of the property industry including residential and commercial agency in Brighton and Hove for over 25 years...

...and conducted his first auction in 2007. He had a brief hiatus for five years to study Language Teaching at Brighton University and worked overseas in Barcelona, Spain and Poland for the British Council.

Richard joined Clive Emson in 2015 having previously been the principal auctioneer for a local firm of Chartered Surveyors for 15 years. Richard lives in Mid Sussex with his wife and two daughters and enjoys cycling and running in his spare time.

Oliver Sherlock has over 15 years of experience in the lettings industry - from working as a lettings negotiator for multiple well-known brands, to his current role at Goodlord...

...responsible for the insurance and protection needs of landlords and agents.

Oliver has an expansive understanding of all aspects of the sector and the challenges landlords face. He has worked with multiple thought leaders in the private rented sector to help promote a fairer PRS for agents, landlords and tenants.

With 25 years’ experience working for bank and non-bank market leaders in the SME finance industry, Damon Walford is a highly regarded executive in the alternative...

...finance sector. Damon joined CrowdProperty from financial services firm Swoop, where he was responsible for business strategy and overall commercial development in his role as Chief Commercial Officer. From 2016 to 2020, Damon was Chief Development Officer at ThinCats. Prior to this, he held a number of senior positions including Managing Director – Invoice Finance at Aldermore Bank and Regional Director at RBS Invoice Finance.

Cyril Thomas is the founder of multiple property and software related businesses - including Property Investors Bureau and The Property Investors Awards.

He has been investing in property since 2006. Cyril is also a dedicated member of the Colchester Round Table who raise funds for worthy local charitable causes.

With more than 18 years of experience dealing with all aspects of property sales and purchases, Jay Howard is a trusted property expert.

Jay is co-author of Amazon #1 seller Before the Hammer Falls: The Insider’s Guide to Property Auction Success, which provides you with the tools and information you need to find success at auction. Jay also used to be an Auction Manager of one the top London auction houses and formed part of the judging panel for the Property Investors Awards, a testament of his respected opinion and authority within the industry.

Meet Jay at Theatre 5 | Friday at 15.30

While those around her have learned the hard way that successful property investing is more than just guesswork, Helen Chorley has been quietly forging her own...

...slow and steady investment path of tireless due diligence and capital preservation. A former investment banker, Helen is now in high demand by cash-rich investors and developers alike – all keen to have her seal of approval before committing to deals.

Meet Helen at Theatre 5 | Friday at 15.30

Karl Griggs is Director at commercial finance brokerage, CPC Finance. CPC Finance sources and packages a range of property-based finance, including HMO, commercial...

...BTL, and auction finance.

During a career spanning over 35 years, Karl Griggs has extensive knowledge of the mortgage industry. Beginning his career as a Secured Lending Manager at a finance company in Harrow, he then joined a brokerage in Hendon to run operations across the company. Karl set up his own business in 2003, CPC Finance, which focuses on the investor, portfolio and commercial mortgage space.

Over the last 2 decades Barry Winter has regularly shared his wealth of knowledge within the property market of Cyprus with perspective investors who are looking for a 2nd Home...

...or looking to relocate to Cyprus. A sought-after speaker at many property investor events and seminars, his views are widely recognised and valued - most importantly by the clients he has already helped by making their dreams of owning a property overseas a reality. Barry has been responsible for establishing offices for Pafilia Property Developers in China, Vietnam and is now focusing on the UK Market where the company is seeing a renewed interest. He is happy to share his professional opinion and also his personal experience of being an investor of overseas property.

James Hutchison is a chartered town planner of nearly twenty years’ experience working within local authority planning departments in London and the South-East...

...as well as in private practice for a large London practice before setting up his own company Corbil Estates & Planning Ltd in 2016. James has taken the planning lead on a wide range of public and private development projects across the country from small residential and mixed-use schemes through to large urban extensions of in excess of 2500 homes. As the director of Corbil Planning, James gives advice to a wide range of clients and utilises his considerable knowledge and experience of the planning system to advise and direct developers towards securing the best possible results for their sites.

Ben is the Chief Executive of the NRLA, the association created by the merger of the NLA and RLA. A landlord for 15 years, Ben has had a lengthy career in housing...

...holding senior roles at Touchstone, part of the Places for People Housing group, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and TDS Northern Ireland. He is responsible for fusing the two organisations together and delivering great services to customers, growing the business to ensure the association has an even greater voice to influence housing policy, for the benefit of members.

Andy Haynes is a full-time professional property investor and he now focusses on inspiring others to achieve financial independence through their own property portfolio.

Andy is well known on the networking circuit and regularly presents at p.i.n's Property Mastermind programme and also their annual flag-ship events.

For many years Andy worked as a producer and presenter for the BBC and he has since invested in property related businesses which all support investors, including owning his own solicitor company, Bradley Haynes Law, which specialises in "talking the language" of the property investor.

Jon Rimmer has lived his whole life in the county town of Maidstone and following a foundation diploma in Graphic Design joined Clive Emson as a Trainee Negotiator in 2014.

He has since passed his NFOPP Level 3 award in Real Property Auctioneering and is a member of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers. Beginning his auction life carrying out viewings across the county he has now progressed to become an Auction Appraiser predominantly dealing with east Kent covering areas such as Swale, Thanet and Dover.

Mike Bristow is the CEO and Co-Founder of CrowdProperty, the UK's leading specialist property project lending platform, with 18 years’ experience as a strategy...

...consultant advising leading international companies and private equity funds on M&A and corporate strategy. He holds an MBA from London Business School, the FT Non-Executive Director Diploma, a Masters in Mech Eng and is a Chartered Accountant. He also sits on the Pi Labs Investment Committee as a voting member for Fund III, is an LP investor in Funds I, II & III and a mentor to portfolio businesses.

Zafer Mehmetoglu is a prominent figure in the Turkish real estate market, best known for co-founding FIBO Property in 2020.

Under his leadership, the company has quickly gained a reputation as a leading player in the industry, thanks in no small part to his vast knowledge of the field, including the various legal requirements that come with real estate purchase in Turkey. He co-founded a real estate agency with his brothers that has become one of the most successful agencies in Istanbul. This experience provided him with invaluable insights into the inner workings of the real estate market and helped him develop a keen sense of what clients are looking for.

Jamie York is a property investor, public speaker and business owner. At a young age, Jamie York co-founded Aspire Property Group and, as managing director...

...Jamie has grown the business from strength to strengthhaving sold over £100 million in property and helped 100's of investors build their portfolio.

Jamie also runs his property investing Youtube channel with over 85,000 subscribers, and through Aspire Education has educated 1,000's in property investing & successfully building their own property business.

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Integritas Property Group’s David Johnstone has a wide range of business experience ranging from advertising, marketing, direct sales and 20 years in property investment.

He has been involved in the BTL market in UK (being involved in the purchase or sale of over 100 properties), overseas property development, high end portfolio building and raising finance for UK property projects. While working with Assetz Group based in Manchester, David set up a global network of property agents investing in UK property and had numerous trips to South East Asia region.

...must raise their game to take on the plethora of hurdles facing them and still succeed in a difficult PRS.

Auction specialist solicitor Julie Condliffe is an award-winning property investor and advisor with almost 20 years of experience in property matters.

She is the managing partner at Creative Legals, a specialist auction law firm dedicated to helping investors navigate the auction terrain. Julie has authored 4 property investment booksthree of which are about auctions. She has been featured on various high profile media platforms and spoken at countless landlord events.

Meet Julie at Stand 16

Paul Bridgeman joined Clive Emson in 2014 and is the Regional Director & Auctioneer for the Essex office. From school he started working in estate agency as a YTS...

...apprentice working his way up to senior negotiator, five years later joining the auction profession in 1997. He first took to the rostrum in Glasgow in October 2006 and then went on to sell in various locations around the UK. Paul is a past president of the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers (NAVA) and is very passionate about our profession and pushing for higher standards in the industry. Paul will be well known to viewers of the popular TV programme Homes Under The Hammer - on which he has appeared many times.

Bryan Baxter has been in the property industry for over 40 years establishing himself as a leading property auctioneer. He is a founding director of the national property auction...

...franchise Auction House which was established in 2007. Auction House is a nationwide business operating across England, Scotland and Wales and is responsible for selling nearly a fifth of all unconditional lots via in room, livestream, and online auctions. Bryan has a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of land and property sales and has advised many businesses on establishing or growing their property auction businesses.

An unashamed advocate of the Northeast, Denis Shail believes Teesside and the surrounding area is the best place to invest in the UK. Involved in property investment since 2006...

...he began building his portfolio and refurbishing properties. In 2013, he began working in the financial services market as a mortgage broker. His experience means he understands the needs of property investors. Horizon works closely with select clients helping them build successful and profitable property portfolios. On a day-to-day basis Denis works closely with those clients and is involved across all divisions of the group, ensuring client needs are met.

Meet Denis at Stand 242

Rupert Lowe brings over 25 years’ experience in the property sector - including establishing his own surveying business providing services to clients such as Taylor Wimpey...

...Golding Estates and Atticus Land & Development - to CrowdProperty. His previous positions include working at First Title Insurance plc, The SLH Group, Dunlop Heywood, Bellrock and Keppie Massie.

Based in Liverpool, Rupert has built an extensive network in the North West and across the UK. His appointment at CrowdProperty marks a period of growth for the Birminghambased company, providing a local point of contact to further develop relationships with SME developers looking for property project funding in the region.

Meet Rupert at Stand 322

Bola Aderemi Bayewumi is the Chief Executive Officer of FdiAfrica Integrated Resources. A Broadcaster and Public Relations Consultant, with over 20 years’ experience...

...in Corporate Branding and Product Promotion, he developed a unique concept of adequately providing vital information and networking platform to showcase investment opportunities in Africa as means of attracting Foreign Direct Investment. Through partnership with Property Investor Media, FdiAfrica has been able to champion the creation of awareness among Africans, particularly Nigerians in Diapora, about the opportunities available in the property sector.

Karan Mansukhani has extensive experience of Dubai, matching clients to properties and exceeding expectations for the past 7 years.

He has extensive experience of Dubai, matching clients to properties and exceeding expectations for the past 7 years. With strong market knowledge and known within Sobha Realty for going above and beyond to help his clients get what they need from their property investment.

Debbie Prekebena is the Head of Operations of FdiAfrica. With over 10 years of Marketing Experience in the Property Development sector, Debbie has been able to develop...

...a workable blueprint to cater for the housing needs of various classes of people who are keen to become homeowners. She is conversant with field operations and the practical aspects of Property Investment – and boasts a wealth of experience in the Nigerian residential property market.

Dan Buchan is a property investor, public speaker and business owner. At a young age, Dan Buchan co-founded Aspire Property Group...

...and as a director Dan has grown the business from strength to strength - having sold over £100 million in property and helped 100's of investors build their portfolio. Through Aspire Education, Dan has educated 1,000's in property investing & successfully building their own property business.

With a career spanning over 20 years in both the London and International Property Markets, Paul Newman has extensive experience at matching clients to properties...

...and exceeding expectations. With relationships built over his career directly with developers across the world, he really can find you what you need. Paul is supported by a hardworking team of real estate professionals across the globe with offices in London, Dubai & Istanbul with the peace of mind that your best interests are being looked after when making a purchase.

Meet Paul at Stand 82