David Brown
Chief Financial Officer

ROLE:
David oversees all things financial with responsibility for budgets, funding, cash flow management, accounts and audits.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
David graduated from Christ’s College, Cambridge with a degree in Computer Science, and then completed his professional training as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG.

David spent 17 years in senior finance roles at Greene King, before progressing to CFO roles at property company Market Tech, restaurateur Byron Burger and most recently media business Bonhill Group.

INTERESTS:
David enjoys spending time with his family, endeavouring to wear his two young boys out by cycling them around the City of Cambridge where they live. He can also often be found practicing his punting skills on the River Cam. He is passionate about all things culinary, and obsessive in his desire to make the perfect coffee.  While by no means claiming to be fit, David enjoys rolling around in the mud at silly hours in the morning with his military-fitness club.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Chin Chin Labs – best ice cream in London!

FAVORITE PLACE:
Southwold, Suffolk – great for the boys and the best fish and chips around. Who says you need to go abroad?

 FAVORITE SAYING/S:
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Nelson Mandela

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Jack Black – he’s very funny and his surname is a colour too!

Tom Martin
Chairman

ROLE:
Tom is Chairman of the Board. He has responsibility for holding management to its strategic goals and in ensuring the Board is effective and suitably experienced. 

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
After college, Tom trained as a valuation and development Surveyor with Chesterton. Through his career he has worked both in advisory and principle roles, and has over thirty years of property investment, asset management and development experience. Prior to his current role, Tom was Chief Executive of Grange Management and an Executive Director of Affinity Sutton Group, one of the largest independent providers of affordable housing in the UK.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
The Abingdon

FAVORITE PLACE:
The French Riviera

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
Success is where preparation and opportunity meet

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Rick Blaine

Mike Hussey
Non-Executive Director

Mike is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. He is recognised as one of the key experts in the Central London property market. He is a prolific developer, responsible for a number of the landmark schemes built in the capital in the last 20 years.

Before founding Almacantar, Mike spent seven years at Land Securities plc, the largest property company in the UK, where he was an Executive Board Director with responsibility for the London portfolio and Strategic Land portfolio.

Prior to Land Securities, Mike was responsible for all property transactions at the Canary Wharf Group, as Head of Leasing and Marketing, where his team transacted 9.3m sq.ft (900,000 sq.m).

Mike is a Trustee of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Governor of Southbank Centre Limited. He was an Independent Director of Taylor Wimpey plc between July 2011 and July 2018

Rex Newman
Non-Executive Director

ROLE:
Rex is a non-executive director of Martin’s Properties, sharing responsibility with his fellow non-executives for good corporate governance and oversight of executive management.  He is a member of the main Board, Capital Committee, Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Rex is a solicitor with over 35 years of professional experience in private practice and the long term managing partner of the London law firm, Wallace LLP.  He is a trustee of a number of family and philanthropic organisations.  As well as a solicitor, he is a member of the New York Bar and an accredited mediator. Rex has been associated with the Martin family and business for over 10 years and was appointed as an independent family trustee in 2010.

INTERESTS:
Rex is an enthusiastic walker, a keen skier and a student of political and military history.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
The Beachcomber at Barton-on-Sea – a great place for breakfast after early morning sailing.

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Zermatt, Switzerland to which he returns every year, having learned to ski there aged 10.

FAVOURITE SAYING:
“Brevity is the soul of wit”.

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Jeff Goldblum.

Keith Mansfield
Non-Executive Director

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Keith joined PwC in 1986, qualified as a chartered accountant and subsequently joined the partnership in 1996. He was promoted to London Chairman in 2011 and served in that role for 7 1/2 years. Keith left PwC in December 2018 and now has multiple non executive roles.

INTERESTS:
Golf, walking, nature and conservation

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
Belamy’s. Food that looks like food

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Seville

FAVOURITE SAYING/S:
‘No plan survives contact with the enemy’ – Several sources

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Lieutenant Dunbar in Dances with Wolves

Emma Carlton-Smith
Non-Executive Director

ROLE:
Emma is the Martin family appointed Non-Executive Director on the Board. She is chair of the Martin Charitable Trust, overseeing the Martin family’s philanthropic activities and also chair of the Martin Family Council, the interface between the family shareholders and the business.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Emma graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BA (Hons) in English and Marketing.

Before becoming a Non-Executive Director, Emma worked for Martin’s Properties for over 13 years and was responsible for all areas of marketing and design, including the interior design of the residential portfolio.  Prior to this, Emma headed up the Corporate Sales and Marketing division of Club Med UK.  She also worked in marketing at Scott Dunn for 6 years.

Anisa Ahmad
Purchase Ledger Controller

ROLE:
Anisa is responsible for managing Martin’s Purchase Order system. She is the main point of contact for invoice queries and processes all payments. Working with the Finance team, Anisa also manages the daily banking procedures and bank reconciliation.

BACKGROUND:
Anisa is an Accounting & Finance graduate from the University of Hertfordshire. Before starting at Martin’s Properties, Anisa was an Accounts Payable specialist at Porcelain Tiles Ltd for 4.5 years.

INTERESTS:
Gardening and travelling.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
Royal Nawaab

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Granada, Spain

FAVOURITE SAYING/S:
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Julia Roberts

Anwar Bellot
Facilities & Property Manager

ROLE:
Anwar is responsible for the management and planning of the day to day maintenance and operation of our properties, ensuring that our customers have the most suitable working and living environments possible.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Anwar has over 17 years’ experience in the property industry, having worked across a range of portfolios including Berkeley Square Estate and Chinatown. Most recently, Anwar has served as Head of Facilities Management at Regency Real Estate, where he led a small team and oversaw a portfolio spanning multiple locations across the UK.

INTERESTS:
Traveling, keeping fit and watching football

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Nando’s

FAVORITE PLACE:
Sanibel Island, Florida

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
“Don’t count the days make the days count”

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Denzel Washington

Brook Stotesbury
Head of Commercial Asset Management & Investment

ROLE:
Brook is responsible for setting and implementing asset strategies to maximise the performance of the commercial portfolio. He is also responsible for building on customer relationships; marketing, acquisition, leasing and disposal of assets; minimising leasing voids, reducing property costs and maximising income.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Brook graduated from the University of the West of England in 2004 with a degree in Real Estate Valuation Management. He started his career at Kenningtons where he qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and worked as a Central London Office Agent. He then joined Hoddell Stotesbury Morgan as an investment agent where he spent 10 years specialising in the acquisition and disposal of commercial property. In 2018, Brook joined Martin’s Properties as Commercial Asset Manager.

INTERESTS:
Brook enjoys the outdoors, he’s a (fair weather!) sportsman and particularly enjoys skiing, golf, cycling and fishing.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Hotel Costes (Paris) – A rare treat but worth every penny!

FAVORITE PLACE:
Mallorca – 300 days of sunshine a year, need I say more! The island’s dramatic mountain range and costal scenery offers endless activities all year round!

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
‘A goal without a plan is just a wish’

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Leonardo Dicaprio

Chris Darke
Design Manager

ROLE:
As Design Manager, Chris coordinates Martin’s design strategy as part of the project management team. Working closing with Martin’s Asset Managers and Head of Development, Chris project manages smaller scale projects, whether refurbishment or capitalised repair works, working closely with the design team and contractors from conception to completion and ensuring coordination with Facilities Management and their on-going maintenance requirement. Chris also acts as client representative in the oversight of tenant’s commercial works.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Chris graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA (Hons) in Architecture. He then worked in the film and television industry in both production and AD (directing) roles before taking on the property and facilities management position  at Teddington Studios after purchase from Pearson. Following a successful sale and lease-back of the Studios Chris moved into construction project management full-time, focusing on residential and commercial refurbishment in London and the South East, before joining Martin’s Properties.

INTERESTS:
Cycling almost anywhere in search of good architecture and design, Chris’s enthusiasm also veers towards a perfectly timed overtaking manoeuvre at Silverstone or a centimetre perfect assist at Stamford Bridge, with that modulated by a Beethoven string quartet or any French Impressionist. That soft focus extends to a well shot film but sharpens at the theatre.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
La Delizia, in Chelsea Manor Street – the perfect Italian restaurant. And La Colombe D’Or, once in a blue moon.

FAVORITE PLACE:
Venice’s appeal never tires, Hong Kong’s work ethic never ceases to enthrall, but the development of Portugal’s modern architecture firmly places Porto on the map. Japan is also on the cards.

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
“That’s intriguing” to my family’s (and now others) consternation!

 WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Robert Donat’s role in the original 39 Nine Steps

Gary Lewis

Senior Development Manager

ROLE:
Gary is responsible for overseeing all development activities across the business, helping drive value through careful site selection, planning, development and project management, to leasing and sale.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Gary is a chartered surveyor with over 30 years experience in development and asset management roles at a diverse range of organisations including property companies, advisory, recovery, funding and banking.
In recent years he has focused on working across the UK repositioning large town centre assets including shopping centres and high street retail, growing and developing a Central London office portfolio for flexible workspace, obtaining planning for anything from supermarkets to aircraft hangars as well as consents for hotels and Build-to-Rent residential towers.

INTERESTS: 

Gary enjoys spending time with his kids and particularly taking them to gigs as he is passionate about music. He is also trying very hard to learn to play bass guitar.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:

Hollywood Brown Derby, Orlando

FAVORITE PLACE:

Portmeirion

FAVORITE SAYING/S:

Not all those who wander are lost – JRR Tolkien

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:

Rupert Graves

Gary Sherwin

Head of Transactions

ROLE:
Gary focuses on our investment strategy – as we look to grow and diversify the portfolio. This includes the identification and co-ordination of new investment opportunities and leading on acquisitions.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Gary graduated from South Bank University with a BSc(Hones) in Estate Management and then qualified as a Chartered Surveyor. Gary has 30 years experience in the UK property market. Almost 17 years were at Land Securities as Investment Director/ Head of Retail Investment where he led some of the REITs largest transactions including creation of several join venture partnerships plus sales and acquisitions of major shopping centres. He then moved to Aviva Investors where he was Head of UK Investment Transactions for 5 years and created a dedicated investment team, responsible for all UK real estate fund sales and acquisitions. The team completed over £7bn of transactions during this time. He was part of the real estate Senior Leadership Team and voting member of the Real Estate Global Investment Committee. Gary also spent 7 years as a member of the Investment Property Forum, Operational Board.

INTERESTS:
Cycling, running and yoga to various degrees of competency! Watching football now more than playing. He also enjoys watching great films and is keen to support the education of future generations being Governor of a secondary school.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Vasco & Piero’s – most authentic Italian restaurants!

FAVORITE PLACE:
Cote Sauvage.

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving – A Einstein.

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan.

Graham Walsh
Office Manager & Team PA

ROLE:
Graham is responsible for assisting the team in a secretarial and PA role, handling various tasks from inbox and diary management, organising travel and itineraries, assisting with reporting and the preparation of committee papers, event planning, assisting with marketing materials, and also ensuring that the office runs in compliance, and efficiently on a day to day basis.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Graham moved to London in 2013 and began working as an office administrator for various companies. In 2017, he began working for Dunsin Surveyors as the EA to the Managing Director, assisting him in complex diary and inbox management, and preparing extensive court reports for expert witness tribunal matters. Graham also managed the company’s IT needs, HR & recruitment, social media, and the company’s social calendar.

INTERESTS:
Interior design, creative design, photography, travelling

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
Ta Ke, Ealing

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Sitges!

FAVOURITE SAYING/S:
Environment dictates design

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Cillian Murphy

James Hall
Investment Manager

ROLE:
James is responsible for portfolio analysis, producing portfolio strategies and identifying future areas of investment and development. He is involved in investment origination and acquisition due diligence, portfolio performance and research-led elements of the business.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: 
James graduated from the University of Exeter with first class honours and has an MSc in Real Estate from Cass Business School. He began his professional career at APAM in 2015 as an Investment Analyst focusing on acquiring regional commercial assets across the UK. He then joined Northridge Capital in 2017 where he was an Associate targeting UK office and student opportunities and residential developments in London.

INTERESTS:
In his spare time, James is a keen sportsman and enjoys golf, tennis, skiing and cricket.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
Chez Dany in Verbier – great Swiss food and views of the Alps.

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Verbier, Switzerland.

FAVOURITE SAYING/S:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts”

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Bruce Willis…

Linda Fenn
Property Administration Manager

ROLE:
Linda provides full support to the property team. She performs various property management, facilities management and administrative tasks and is responsible for the coordination of maintenance works

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Linda graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BA Hons degree in Urban Town Planning. She went on to work as a Property Manager for Rubicon Estates, followed by Winkworth as Head of Property Management for eight years. Linda first joined Martin’s Properties as Residential Lettings Manager and has returned after a period away to look after her young family, to take up the position of Property Administration Manager.

INTERESTS:
Travelling, interior design, walking in the country with my family and gardening.

FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
Thai Tho

FAVORITE PLACE:
Hong Kong, where I grew up.

FAVORITE SAYING/S:
“Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen.”

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Emily Blunt

Sophie Betts
EA to Chairman & CFO

ROLE:
Sophie is EA to Tom Martin and David Brown. She is deeply involved in all of their roles, helping them coordinate their schedules, meetings and output. She also coordinates the work of the Family Council and its activities including the Family Council and charitable trust and is a key link between the shareholders and the business.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND:
Sophie has over 20 years’ experience in the Property and Finance sectors supporting all levels of seniority. Having started out her supporting career as a receptionist within a PR/ Sales & Marketing consultancy Sophie has developed her skill set as an Office and Facilities Manager and Personal Assistant within property investment and construction most recently, providing her with an array of diverse experience.

INTERESTS:
Sophie loves keeping active, going for long walks in the countryside, gym and has even taken up golf. She loves spending time with her family and friends.

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT:
Sophie’s Steakhouse – best steak in town!

FAVOURITE PLACE:
Mexico

FAVOURITE SAYING/S:
It is what it is

WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:
Rebel Wilson