© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
© 2025 News On The Block. All rights reserved.
News on the Block is a trading name of Premier Property Media Ltd.
For the first time ever, the most influential people in the residential leasehold property sector are identified. The list contains a mix of leasehold campaigners, Parliamentarians, trade and professional bodies, managing agents, building owners, investors, developers, valuers, and lawyers amongst others.
Entries have been gathered subjectively according to our knowledge and experience of the industry and are arranged in alphabetical order by name.
Neil has 27 years’ property experience across all property asset classes having qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1986. He supervises Braemar Estates’ operational estate and facilities management functions across a portfolio of c. 9,000 ground rent and block residential units. Neil is a co-opted Director of Contour Property Services, part of Liverpool’s Symphony Housing Group.
Paul is Managing Director of Midway Insurance Services Ltd who are the parent company to 1st Sure Ltd, winners of “Block Insurer of the Year” for the last three successive years. Paul is passionate about ensuring flat owners are treated fairly and are provided with insurance products that provide appropriate protection for an reasonable price.
Rob is responsible for the day-to-day operational functions of the property management business which has over 17,000 individual units within its portfolio mainly spread across London and the South East. Rob aims to deliver Crabtree’s mission: to be recognised as the market leader in property management.
Deep, an experienced management consultant and non-executive director, is appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government as Chair of LEASE. LEASE provides free legal advice and other services about residential leasehold in England and Wales.
Duncan, a qualified Chartered Surveyor, is responsible for Dorrington’s residential business, comprising a portfolio of over 4,000 units. He serves on the residential committee of the British Property Federation and several other working parties. He is well known in the residential investment market.
Ian is a Chartered Surveyor with over 20 years’ experience in Estate Management. He spent 10 years with the Grosvenor Estate and in 2009 moved to the Howard de Walden Estate where he currently manages all of the Leasehold Enfranchisement matters for the Estate. Ian Sands has been involved in training graduates and is also an APC Chairman.
Neil (Solicitor, Landlord, Tenant) is passionate about the sector, its requirement for professional integrity, improved service delivery, innovation, income generation and risk free legal services that support management professionals, investors and leaseholders. Neil’s award winning conceptual legal services delivery extends to accountancy, insurance and credit control. Other passions include vineyards, Newcastle United and various charitable associations.
In its 14th Year, Trinity is currently managing in excess of 40,000 homes nationwide. Jonathan has been at the forefront of implementing controls and efficiency at Trinity and is working closely with industry colleagues on necessary regulation changes and is committed to continuing the evolution of the industry.
Bob Smytherman is the Chairman of The Federation of Private Residents’ Associations, which provides impartial advice to over 500 Residents’ Associations. Bob is a passionate campaigner and advocate for leasehold rights, and since 1992 has been a director of his own residents’ association.
Do you think we have missed someone who should have been included in this list? Email editor@newsontheblock.com with your comments and suggestions. We’ll put all responses received by 14th July 2013 into a prize draw to win a bottle of champagne.
To view a pdf of the full 100 please