Judges

Alan is a founder member and CEO of the NLG, a networking group for property professionals in the Social Housing Sector which aims to improve standards through sharing of Good Practice, Engagement and Education. He is also an independent Leasehold Consultant specialising in training and specialist project work. In 2017, Alan was co-author of a multi-agency report "Working Together" aimed at improving the relationship between Managing Agents and Housing Associations in order to improve the experience of all customers on residential developments. Alan is a Fellow of the IRPM and Honorary Consultant to the FPRA, in which capacity he regularly advises members on all matters Leasehold.

Alan has over 20 years experience in sales and business development roles working in the UK, Germany and Austria. He is currently working on international fund distribution for an asset management house and European sales for a media and PR evaluation agency. He first lived in a leasehold property in 1999 has been a lessee since 2001 - he has built up 20+ years combined experience as an RMC Director across two boards, including time on each serving as Chairman. Alan's experience also includes membership of the ARMA Independent Regulatory Panel.

Belinda Bagnall is the founder of Flat Living and specialises in assisting many leaseholders and Directors with a range of issues they need assistance with. The recent relaunch of the Flat Living Magazine is recognised by many contributing industry professionals, and each month is focused on a new topical area within the leasehold sector.

With over 26 years of experience within the industry, Belinda is focused on contributing and supporting the sector with information, events and support and is also an honorary consultant for the FPRA (Federation of Private Residents’ Associations).

Bob Smytherman has been a committee member of the FPRA for over 10 years and became chairman in 2008, following the resignation of Muriel Guest-Smith after many years at the helm. He is currently a director of his own residents' association and has been since 1992, taking over as chairman in 1995 and was instrumental in removing a number of ineffective managing agents and along with his fellow RMC Directors has self-managed the Worthing estate since 2001 saving on agent's fees, which has enabled them to spend more on the block itself.

Callum is a Director of Macfie & Co. Management Services in Glasgow, a long-standing firm in Scotland with its roots dating back to its establishment in 1870. The firm has provided residential property management services for its clients over those 155 years. Callum joining the board of Directors in 2022.

In 2023 Callum joined the board of the Property Management Association of Scotland (PMAS) taking on the role as Director.

PMAS is the leading trade association for Factors in Scotland, promoting high standards of property management and professionalism though advice, training and guidance to all its members across the nation.

Caroline is the CEO of property marketing and communications agency, The Oracle Group. Oracle works on behalf of a variety of property related clients across London and the Home Counties, including some of the UK's top twenty house builders, leading housing associations, niche developers, landlords and property management companies. They are also involved with providing the PR and social media support for a number of trade associations, industry events and award ceremonies.

Award-winning solicitor Cassandra Zanelli is a leading light in the property management sector. The CEO of Property Management Legal Services is widely recognised for her expertise in, and contribution to, both the industry and the specialism of building safety.

Her industry qualifications include being a fellow of The Property Institute (TPI) and an associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). She is a member of The Property Institute’s Leasehold and Commonhold Expert Group, and an honorary consultant to the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations.

Cassandra is also a proud recipient of the prestigious ACE Award’s Honorary Industry Award, which she received in June 2023. Cassandra is a regular speaker at conferences, events and seminars. She has worked with leading organisations including TPI, ARMA, IRPM, RICS, the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), the FPRA and many more. She is a top authority in Tribunal matters and is regularly called upon to advise and represent her national client base in complex matters.

Cassandra is passionate about sharing knowledge within the rapidly changing property
management sector. As part of this commitment, she is the primary author of www.legallyspeaking.co.uk, which is a free online resource hub for property management professionals. For more details on Cassandra’s work visit: www.pmls.co.uk.

Debra, Founder and CEO of SAY, has 25+ years in residential property. Based in London, she leads the SAY team providing strategic operational advice for living assets across the UK, Europe, and UAE. Honoured as 2024’s Residential Property Personality by Property Week, Debra also holds non-executive roles and champions sustainable, economically viable community development.

Recently retired, Jeff is a previous Chairman and Chief Executive of the IRPM and, for the last 25 years, has been heavily involved in developing professional qualifications, standards and training within the property management sector.

He is a Fellow of the RICS with 40+ years’ experience of both commercial and residential property management.  Since 2003 he has run his own consultancy assisting with all aspects of leasehold property management and training for clients in both the public and private sectors.

He was the lead author of the RICS Good Practice Guide on Mixed – Use Property Management and the property management section within the RICS UK Residential Property Standards and is currently the lead author of the RICS Service Charge Residential Management Code (4th edition). 

He is a Valuer Chairman of the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), often acts as an expert witness and is a regular chairman and speaker at conferences with his own inimitable style of wit and irreverence.

Mairéad is a Senior Specialist at RICS where she leads on work relating to property agency and management. With a long career in residential real estate Mairéad has previously worked in the housing association sector in policy and external affairs and on the Board at Innisfree Housing Association. Currently reviewing the framework of the RICS property standards, Mairéad also represents RICS on a number of groups including the Technical Support Group to the Commonhold Council, the steering group for Homebuying and Selling Group, the Construction Industry Council’s Housing Panel and the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team Material Information Steering Group.

Mark is a Partner at Brethertons working closely with clients and stakeholders alike to completely understand and support them in achieving their strategic goals. With many years’ experience in property related fields Mark began his working life in estate agency in 1991 before moving into lettings. In 2005 Mark joined Brethertons, rising to Partner level in 2016. He focused on the leasehold sector, connecting clients with much needed legal support. Mark spent five years working for a national managing agent gaining essential experience on the front line before returning to his role at Brethertons in 2023. Mark is considered to be an all round property professional.

Nic Shulman is the Founder of News on the Block (www.newsontheblock.com), the UK’s leading publishing and events business for the apartment building management industry. He is also author of Being a Leaseholder - The Essential Guide to Owning a Flat. By background, Nic is a solicitor and holds law degrees from King's College London and New York University.

Theo Plowman is Assistant Director of Housing Policy at the British Property Federation, a membership organisation that is the voice of the property sector in the UK. Theo’s work focuses on Build to Rent, Affordable Housing, Residential ESG policy areas, as well as on Student Accommodation and Healthcare policy. He has previous experience in built environment policy from roles at the NFU and the Landscape Institute, as well as politics, having spent time working in the USA and the Texas legislature.