Ant Yapi Group

CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLECENTRIC OPERATION

ANT YAPI GROUP

GLOBAL

Construction An international player in the construction industry, we spoke to Ant Yapi Group about its global place at the fore of the sector Writer: Marcus Kääpä | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

H

istorically, construction is one of the sectors that sits at the heart of urban growth across the world. Thoughts of the Roman Empire spring to mind; early uses of cement utilised to create some of the grandest buildings of antiquity, some of which still stand to this day.

Looking away from the ancient Mediterranean and to modern north Europe, in Russia, the strength of the industry has fluctuated, particularly in the past decade.

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CONSTRUCTION

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Classic “RDC” is a dynamically developing company specialized in the design, manufacture and installation of door solutions for hotels, medical centers, sports facilities, mixed-use complexes and other infrastructure projects.

Long term experience of working at project market, the high creative potential of our employees, and the latest technologies allow us to realize the most daring design decisions.

Working with our company will benefit you of a full range of services from our expert advice at the stage of planning of an idea to full realization on construction sites.

Techno

Country

Casual

“Russian industrial group” LLC E-mail: rdc_info@mail.ru Mob.: +7 (925) 000-46-92 Tel.: +7(495) 741-46-67 (доб.101) 6c40 Novoposelkovaja Str., Moscow, 125362

Galaxy

ANT YAPI GROUP After having impressive results between the years of 2010 and 2014, Russian construction wobbled during 2015 and 2016, and registered a decline due to sanctions related to the annexation of Crimea, weak household demand, high interest rates, and a decline in energy prices. However, starting from 2017 the industry showed a trend of improvement thanks to the national government’s new substitution policies to diminish its reliance on oil exports and energy.

Over 2017, the industry has been supported by government plans to complete transport infrastructure, energy and utilities projects, as well as residential buildings in anticipation of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 2018-2020 was largely a turning point for the construction industry. In housing construction, a new concept for the transition from shared construction to project financing was developed and approved. In the medium term this became a

EME OUTLOOK: Can you tell us about your career and explain how you became interested in the construction industry?

MURAT VURAL: I have been living in Moscow for 20 years. Originally, I come from Turkey where I graduated from the highly regarded TED Ankara College thereafter continuing my undergraduate studies at Gazi University, in the Department of Business Administration.

I took my first step into banking part-time in 1994 during my studies as an undergraduate. The attractive and dynamic face of banking had impressed me so much that I stayed in the sector for 23 years since. Throughout the 23-year-old career, I had the opportunity to improve myself in many areas of banking and accumulated significant experience in many industries.

Cut to late 2017, and I received an offer from Ant Yapi. This kind of proposal was challenging for many people in my same situation – the stable comfort zone within banking offered a reliable working environment, and a life without risk. However, throughout my career I had learned to act out of my comfort zone, to embrace change, because the most important aspect of management and leadership, and therefore success, is our ability to adapt and keep up with the latest. Based on this principle, and without hesitation, I decided to switch my international career path into a diverse industry outside that of banking. I would not have considered this unless my mindset and experience had not matched the progressive attitude, growth, and objectives the Ant Yapi Group and its affiliates hold.

And here I am today; currently holding the position of Chief Financial Officer and overseeing the Group’s subsidiaries in Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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determining factor for the industry and has shown a great impact on its development together with the prime support coming from the subsidised mortgage programme at a rate of 6.5 percent in 2020.

Since the second quarter of 2020, industry has been severely affected by the breakdown caused by the COVID19 pandemic. The forecasts predicted the construction industry shrinking by approximately 4.2 percent.

Now, currently recovering from the globally impacting COVID-19 pandemic, Russian construction is on the way up.

“There is a huge range of opportunities to develop and realise in the sector,” begins Murat Vural, Group CFO at Ant Yapi Group.

“Recovering obviously has started giving a new impetus to the development of the construction market. A significant result of 2020 was the final transition of the industry to a project financing scheme due to the change of legislation. By the end of 2020, using escrow accounts, 48 million square metres of housing was constructed, and this tendency is expected to continue in the future.

“Besides, along with the focus on residential building, there is a trend in the development of industrial and infrastructural construction in Russia, and of course such a dynamic developing field is an exciting space to be working in. You learn a lot and are able to see the results and completion of your projects.

“Having the opportunity to provide clients and the public with modern comfortable housing, new innovative factories and plants, increased infrastructure, consequently making their lives easier and more convenient, makes you feel a great sense of fulfillment both personally and nationally.”

Ant Yapi entered 2021 with a large backlog of contracts regarding its international operations, promising positive results for the rest of the year and beyond.

R

ussian Industrial Group (RIG) specialises in the production and sale of doors for medical centres, hotels, business centres, hospitals, sports complexes, schools and other public buildings.

RIG specialises in selling doors for medical centres, hotels, business centres, hospitals, sports complexes, schools and other public buildings.

RIG was established on the basis of Europeanlevel production facilities located in the city of Solnechnogorsk, Moscow region. For several years, the company has mastered and expanded the production of doors using German and Italian technologies. The best materials from the world’s leading manufacturers are a reliable guarantee of the quality of the products.

Today RIG focuses its activity in the project market.

Having its own production, qualified personnel as well as extensive experience and knowledge of the specific features and technical requirements for the interior. RIG builds its work with the clients individually, providing engineering, consulting and organisational support from the design stages, if necessary, to the final stages of installation, construction works and more, carrying out warranty and post-warranty services.

Working on projects in a complex manner, RIG assumes obligations for the complete equipment of the object, from ordinary smooth doors to specialised ones, with high functional and technical characteristics.

or additional properties of the door leaf (sound insulation, strength, fire resistance, etc.).

Today RIG’s assortment includes all kinds of plain doors and panelled doors with different types of coatings (veneer, laminate, varnish). Including specialised doors with advanced technical characteristics in terms of moisture resistance, fire resistance (30 - 60 minutes of burning) and sound insulation (30 - 42 dB).

RIG’s professional work results in long-term cooperation with large commercial companies.

Our customers are: RosKosmos, the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Defense, Sberbank, Lukoil, Strabag, Vneshstroyimport, etc. Over the years of work at the facilities of the HORECA industry, the company has developed partnerships with management companies: ACCOR, HILTON, RESIDOR, INTERCONTINENTAL, HELIOPARK and others.

In recent years, RIG doors have been installed at the following significant sites: • OFFICES AND BUSINESS CENTRES • HOTELS • MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND HOSPITALS • SPORTS FACILITIES We invite you to consider the possibility of cooperation with our company on mutually beneficial conditions.

One of the advantages of our production is the ability to produce and install doors according to individual customer requirements, especially when it comes to non-standard dimensions (up to 3 metres high)

www.rusrig.com

ANT YAPI GROUP

More Contract More Contract is an interior fit-out contractor specialising in hospitality and high-end residential projects. The Turkish company was established in 2006, in Istanbul and the UK company in 2017, in London.

The company runs two furniture production facilities in Istanbul. Having its own factories gains More Contract a significant advantage in fit-out and FF&E works. One of the factories is operated for joinery and loose furniture manufacture. Its premises include 7,000 square metres of enclosed space. The other one is operated for decorative metal manufacture, and its premises include 2,500 square metres of enclosed space. All products manufactured in these facilities are installed in project locations by Turkish experts.

Belgravia gate “With a few exceptions, Ant Yapi can count on a relatively stable market trend this year,” Vural says.

A PAST WITH PROJECTS Ant Yapi Group is an international holding company with 30 years of experience and has maintained a stable position in the ENR TOP-250 of the world’s largest contractors over the past few years. The Group is mainly focused on residential and mixed used projects, as well as infrastructure and heavy construction industries. The company also operates a portfolio of luxury hotel estates, four hotels delivering 506 operating rooms in Turkey, and a hotel under construction in Moscow, as well as actively investing in Moscow’s premium residential market.

“Ant Yapi’s business spans Russia, the US, the UK, and Turkey, and the Group employs more than 18,000 employees across the world,” Murat Vural tells us.

In each of these countries Ant Yapi maintains the provision of high quality and professional construction, 8 | EME Outlook issue 40

infrastructure and residential services.

“In Russia, Ant Yapi and its affiliates have a high brand awareness and reputation due to the large and important projects we have developed to completion. Group revenue in four countries is expected to exceed $1.1 billion and the performance is backed up by almost six billion active contract volume which will allow the current level of revenue to be sustained for at least the next four years. ” he tells us.

“Russian business is the main revenue contributor (almost 80 percent) and demonstrates consistent growth in recent years. The Group’s various companies have implemented a number of landmark projects in Russia such as: Federation Tower, Capitals Towers, OKO Tower, Grand City, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Bvlgari Hotel and Resorts, T-2 Terminal at Domodedovo Airport, Paveletskaya Square, Sberbank Headquarters on Kutuzovsky Avenue, Amur residential complex for the Amur gas processing plant in the town of Svobodny, construction

The quality of design coordination, value engineering, R&D, shop drawing and construction management are enhanced by a technical team of more than 80 people.

Some of More Contract’s previous projects are: Harcourt House in Marylebone, London; Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul; Quasar Fairmont Hotel, Istanbul; and The Luxury Collection Cesme, Izmir.

More Contract recently delivered three projects in London – 25 high-end residential units in Harcourt House, Marylebone, two high-end residential units in Belgravia Gate, Belgravia and two mock-up rooms in The Park Tower Hotel, Knightsbridge.

More Contract’s current projects are: Aman Hotel New York; The Peninsula Hotel, Istanbul; Park Modern Hyde Park, London and Missoni Baia, Miami.

The scope of typical projects includes joinery, loose furniture and marble packages.

www.morecontract.co.uk

QUASAR FAIRMONT HOTEL Istanbul

THE CROWN BUILDING AMAN New York

REGES A LUXURY COLLECTION CESME

Throughout undertaken projects, More Contract maintains an active role in the design management of M&E and all other disciplines created by world known designers such as Denniston Architecture, GA, Kengo Kuma and Associates, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) and Wilson Associates. Such active role places the company in a triangle of employer, architect and

operator. The company’s team always aims to please all corners of this triangle by delivering projects on time, on quality and on budget, while also preserving the cooperative and constructive approach at all times without compromising the health and safety precautions, and environmental concerns.

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+90 (0) 212 269 95 89 Istanbul office +44 (0) 20 3176 6998 London office info@morecontract.co.uk morecontract.co.uk

ANT YAPI GROUP of airport runway of Mirny Airport (Saha Republic), the reconstruction of the airport Tolmachevo, Radisson Hotel, Sulphate Ammonium Plant and reconstruction of heating furnaces with walking Beams in Cherepovets, and many others.”

Ant Yapi’s service excellence is replicated abroad. In the US, the company’s first project was strategically formed out of a joint venture with the key market player Gilbane Construction, undertaking prestigious general contractor (GC) work at the famous Crown Building located on the 5th Avenue in New York City. The Crown Building project was a mixed-use hotel and residential project. Following this, the Group penetrated the Florida real estate

market with another GC contract at Missoni Baia; to work on 50-story high rise residential condominiums.

After establishing its reputation in New York and Florida successfully, the Group was awarded with a further three contracts and as of now have built a backlog of contract volume keeping its US operations busy and expecting sustainable revenue share contribution from USA, more than 10 percent for the next three years.

Ant Yapi’s UK operations mirror this consistent demand for company services.

“Since its existence in the UK, the Group has concluded £250 million worth of contracts, among which £179 million has been delivered,” Vural informs us proudly.

EME OUTLOOK: What makes Ant Yapi Group stand out in the industry?

MURAT VURAL: Ant Yapi has established itself in the world as a reliable partner in the implementation of construction projects and continues to strengthen its position in the national and international construction market.

Ant Yapi’s brand image is built by the quality of our project results, the ability to construct within the set and agreed terms, through the implementation of the latest technology, and through bringing to life the vision of our clients.

TK Elevator CEO TK Elevator in Russia, Thorsten Elsaesser: “There is nowhere else in the world with more TWIN elevators than in Moscow. Why? TWIN elevators save space and Moscow is one of the most expensive locations. Consequently the capital counts in sky-scrapers, which mainly include our unique highspeed TWIN elevators. In this system, two cabins move up and down independently in a single shaft. Less shafts need less construction and save remarkable floor space.

Moving by high speed state-of-the-art elevator systems is enjoyable. Their outstanding performance results of thousands of ingeniously coordinated single decisions, orders, interactions and timelines.

Overviewing and controlling them needs mastery in communication, finance, planning, installation, and personnel selection. This is the empire of TK Elevator company, which always trys to meet customer requirements”.

TKE - Move Beyond

The great amount of collective experience held by the company owners, top management, and skilled employees of the entire organisation allows the Group to solve problems and reach our clients’ desired results with efficiency and quality.

The presence of our growing portfolio of both regular and new clients is built on the basis of our high quality of work and timely fulfilment of obligations. These, coupled with our reliable business relations with industry partners, and cooperation with large and financially stable credit institutions, are the base elements making up our competitive yet stable place in the dynamic field of the construction and development market. www.tkelevator.com

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TK Elevator

(formerly: thyssenkrupp Elevator) With customers in over 100 countries served by 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around €8 billion in the fiscal year 2019/2020. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world’s leading elevator companies and became independent since its sale by thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company’s most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians.

The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TK Elevator in Russia: tkelevator.ru

ANT YAPI GROUP “Client base covers multinational names such as Grainger PLC, Centreland, the Fenton Whelan and Wainbridge estates. Completed distinguished projects include central prime locations such as Belgravia Gate, 13 Eaton Place, 20-22 Eaton Place and Harcourt House.

“As of today, the Group focuses on delivering two projects: Park Modern in Bayswater, and Apex House on Seven Sisters, London. At the same time during 2016 we made our first land purchase in Maida Vale, London, for residential development and acquired a certain share in Belgravia Gate investment which provides a clear sign for the creation of longterm business in the UK. However, due to the recession relating to Brexit, there are concerns regarding the construction industry and a decline in household demand - this put us in stand-by mode.”

Throughout this year, Ant Yapi is expecting to sign another two new contracts with well-known developers for £150 million, which will increase the contribution of the company’s UK revenue substantially. And looking towards Vural’s home nation, the company’s 30 years of experience in Turkey enables the Group to play a dominant role in development and GC. “The mainstream in Turkey is to focus on developing our projects,” he tells us.

“However, current uncertainty disrupted this ambition. Now, we are developing a resort estate in the southernmost point of the Bodrum Peninsula, Anthaven, which is a mix-use project of Hotel Radisson Collection Bodrum, Retail and Residential.”

Over the years the Group has demonstrated a strong performance in Turkey that offers to its clients the trust to invest in real estate.

Ant Yapi has completed numerous significant projects in Istanbul such as Anthill Residence (Antriva), Antasya 12 | EME Outlook issue 40

Residence (Antteras), Antplato and Antwell.

In addition to this, Ant Yapi has partnered with strong developers such as, IS GYO to build Manzara Adalar project, and Dogus GYO and Bilgili Holding to build Galataport Istanbul, in both cases in the capacity of general contractors.

Having an established root in development, the Group has also invested in hospitality and actively operates four hotels. During 2021, the Group will continue focusing on luxury segment hospitality properties with stable operating margins.

“In our development operations, we have a good quality project portfolio,” Vural informs us.

“I expect a high amount of activity and a continued increase in value during 2021-2023. There is currently some uncertainty about FED policies, but the underlying demand for new residentials remains strong in Moscow which over time should create good potential for our development operations. This year we therefore have a good starting position in terms of both customer demand and the project portfolio.

“The market outlook also appears relatively stable even though there is some uncertainty in individual markets and sectors. Despite this, our financial position remains strong in the industry.”

PEOPLE-CENTRIC OPERATIONS Ant Yapi Group’s success comes down to more than its professional project results. Its people, both in-house and external, are the base from which the business operates at such a high level.

“We practice a philosophy of Back to Building, focusing on getting the job done with the best quality, we are not a general construction management contractor,” Murat Vural explains.

“We maintain control over as many aspects of the supply chain, we engage directly with labour and

M-Tech Engineering Established since 1994, M-Tech Engineering is one of the UK’s most trusted staircase specialists.

A professional and reliable partner of construction, architectural and design companies across the globe, M-Tech continues to offer support to Ant Yapi across a multitude of collaborative projects.

Based in Nottingham, UK, M-Tech are specialist engineers and suppliers of bespoke staircases, balustrade, handrails and Architectural metalwork to both the private and commercial sectors.

M-Tech covers every element in the process of staircase development, from initial consultation and design (including 3D drawings), to the fabrication from its skilled engineers and in house Joinery department that then follow through the process.

www.mtechengineering.co.uk

extend our existing supply chain to every market we work. With direct control we have flexibility to react and accommodate some of the unpredictability that is inherent in our industry, enhancing productivity, solving problems and maintaining a firm hand on quality.

“A strong attribute that we bring to each market is our existing supply chain and our long-standing relationships with key suppliers, specialist sub-contractors, designers and a very strong 3D / BIM design capability. These long-standing relationships allow us to extend the flexible approach to problem solving through our entire supply chain.”

Within this chain Ant Yapi can rely on specialist experts for joinery, marble, mechanical and electrical, and our facade specialists. These business relationships have been established for many years and contribute to the company’s success as a “family.” Ant Yapi achieves cost competitiveness

CONSTRUCTION

We are UK bespoke staircase specialists. We manufacture and install precision engineered staircases for clients from across the UK. M Tech Engineering takes bespoke staircases to the next level - from spiral staircases to helical staircases, to contemporary floating staircases and even traditional oak staircases, all our designs emulate prestige and style.

Our staircases are constructed from timber, steel, glass which are at the forefront of contemporary and staircase design. We have an abundance of experience, skill and talent when it comes to the craftsmanship of our staircases.

DISCOVER OUR RANGES

WWW.MTECHENGINEERING.CO.UK

bvlgari

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ANT YAPI GROUP by repeat business and close working relationships with the suppliers. Its approach to each market is the same it works to utilise the high-quality skills and lower cost base of our established supply chain and then bring materials.

On top of maintaining reliable and efficient supply chain partnerships, the Group employs around 18,000 employees both directly and indirectly across its four countries. Ant Yapi’s teams are qualified and well

EME OUTLOOK: Can you tell us about your current projects based in Moscow?

MURAT VURAL: Of our many projects, Poklonnaya 9 and Victory Park Residences are two of the most vital with regards to both volume of investment and stepping into the Moscow luxury real estate market.

These projects represent a new and exciting journey for Ant Yapi.

Poklonnaya 9, Moscow The grandiose and graceful building rises impressively above its surroundings. Panoramic windows in the style of famous Moscow skyscrapers and those of New York City provide living spaces with generous lighting, and residents with picturesque views of Vorobyovy Gory, Moscow City, and Victory Park. Within its walls there is an extensive infrastructure with five-star service from one of the best lifestyle and luxury hotel brands, four restaurants, a bar, a spa complex, swimming pool, and business lounges. Its exclusive location guarantees the residents of Poklonnaya 9 a comfortable stay in the centre of the developed infrastructure of an elite area.

View terraces, efficient layouts, large glass area, abundance of natural light, premium designer finishes, multi-level underground parking perfectly meet the status and needs of apartment owners in Poklonnaya 9 residential complex. 32-storey building owns 99,000 metre-squared construction area and expect to be delivered in 2023.

Victory Park Residences, Moscow This is a mixed-use elite class project. There are eight low-rise buildings with a private inner area available only to residents. The modern and elegant architecture of Victory Park Residences was designed by Sergey Skuratov’s bureau. Panoramic glazing of the apartments provides high insulation and offers unforgettable views of Victory Park Plaza and Poklonnaya Gora.

The advantages of the project are low number of stories, spacious planning solutions, a unique own infrastructure as part of a shopping centre, excellent transport accessibility, a kindergarten and three styles of “turnkey” design finishing at the client’s choice.

Ant Yapi’s projects are backed by Sberbank with a credit limit of over $500 million indicating the bank’s financial confidence in the Group and the realisation of its capacity.

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experienced, and work to develop, implement, and promote new projects.

Knowing their value, the company places them at the highest priority.

“Ant Yapi recognises the importance of employing people with local knowledge and experience in each region it operates,” Murat Vural elaborates.

“There are a number of professionals engaged within the senior management of the business that have specifically regional experience, this ensures that the work is undertaken with efficiency, with control, and compliance with particular focus on local conditions, regulations and health and safety.

“Whether sharing our resources

CONSTRUCTION or professional expertise, we encourage and support every single team member to get involved with the ultimate goal of collaboration throughout the world. We are a diverse and connected group of professionals. No matter the market, service or geographic region, we create efficiencies for our employees by expertise and knowledge. Having a workforce with diversified people, it enables us to deliver the best solution to our customer.”

Ant Yapi operations are dependent on these dedicated and proficient individuals. In light of this, the company actively works to attract, recruit, develop, and retains these employees, including managerial staff, to realise the growth and ambitions of the company.

Construction is one sector that has been rapidly evolving over the past decade. With a growth in actively implementing sustainability practices, the environmental effort is now a must-have in industries across the board. In this new decade, developers cannot maintain a positive reputation if social and environmental components are not met.

“Ant Yapi’s projects meet all environmental quality standards,” Vural assures us.

“The company has obtained its BREEAM certificate; the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment. BREEAM rated developments are more sustainable for the environment, they enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources, and make for more attractive property investments.”

The organisation also encourages the support of various institutions and bodies that aid several causes, both charitable and cultural.

“Ant Yapi encourages the

Mandarin oriental participation of the employees in charity events, campaigns and companies, such as the participation in the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF),” Vural says.

“Additionally, through our subsidiary Ant Development, we engage with art galleries and curators in Moscow to help our employees and clients to stay up to date in Art World. Providing them free entrance or helping them to see the new exhibitions up front.”

INTO THE FUTURE For the rest of 2021 and beyond, Ant Yapi plans to maintain and expand its position as a key player in the international market.

“An important element of our business plan is to work proactively to create safer work sites,” Murat Vural elaborates.

“This is something that we at Ant Yapi Group have focused on extensively for many years, and we compare well with the rest of the construction industry in the countries where we operate. One of the key priorities for the Group is to bring work site accidents, environmental incidents and ethical breaches to a complete zero. Turning these visions into reality will of course require focus, training, individual dedication, incentives, follow-ups and good leadership. We are continuing to

improve in all these areas to achieve this.”

With regard to development, the company’s goal is to consistently improve the technology and design involved with its projects. This is so that the company can continually provide its clients with the latest and best services and results they can possibly receive.

“We are now in the process of creating a new aspect of the company: Ant Community, where we will meet with each client, listen, and understand their needs in entirety. We believe that communication carries high importance as to understand the expectations of management, employees and clients alike,” Murat Vural tells us, and ends on a positive note.

“We look back at 30 years of successful operations at Ant Yapi.

Overall, I have a very optimistic view of the future of the Group, both with regard to 2021 and in a longer perspective.”

Tel: +44 (0) 203 892 56 30 info@antyapi.co.uk www.antyapi.co.uk

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ANT YAPI GROUP 173- 176 Sloane Street, 3rd Floor, London SW1X 9QG Tel: +44 (0) 203 892 56 30 info@antyapi.co.uk www.antyapi.co.uk PRODUCED BY EME OUTLOOK MAGAZINE