Judges

A founder member and CEO of the NLG, a networking group for social housing property professionals, Alan focuses on improving standards through good practice, engagement, and education. He is also an independent Leasehold Consultant, specialising in training and specialist project work, and has held numerous senior positions within Housing Associations.

In 2017, he co-authored the multi-agency report Working Together, aimed at strengthening relationships between managing agents and housing associations to improve customer experience. He is a Fellow of the TPI.

Bringing valuable insight and perspective shaped by real-life experience as a leaseholder and lessee, Alan is a trusted and respected voice within the sector. He also moderates at TPI’s Annual Conference, contributing informed and balanced discussion on the future of residential management.

Through experience as an RMC Director, former member of ARMA’s Independent Regulatory Panel, and as a TPI trainer, he has a strong understanding of professional standards and governance. His commitment to improving how the sector engages with communities continues to drive meaningful, lasting improvements in residential management.

A committee member of the FPRA for over 15 years and Honorary Chairman since 2008, Bob brings long-standing experience and leadership to the organisation.

He has been a director of his residents’ association since 1992 and Chairman since 1995. Alongside fellow RMC Directors, he led the removal of ineffective managing agents and has successfully self-managed the Worthing estate since 2001, generating savings that have been reinvested into the building.

With over 25 years’ experience in residential property, she leads the SAY team from London, providing strategic operational advice for living assets across the UK, Europe, and the UAE. Debra is also the Founder and CEO of SAY.

Recognised as 2024’s Residential Property Personality by Property Week, she holds non-executive roles and champions sustainable, economically viable community development.

Recently retired, Jeff is a former Chairman and Chief Executive of the IRPM and has spent over 25 years developing professional qualifications, standards and training in the property management sector. He is a Fellow of the RICS with more than 40 years’ experience in commercial and residential property management.

Since 2003 he has run his own consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on leasehold management and training. He has authored key RICS guidance, chairs the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), acts as an expert witness, and is a well-known conference chair and speaker, noted for his wit and irreverence.

Head of Sales for Fixflo’s Block Management sector, Joe brings a strong operational background as a full TPI Member with a decade of experience working as a block manager between 2010 and 2020. During this time, he also led the early stages of resident engagement for one of the UK’s first major ACM re-cladding projects.

Since spearheading Fixflo’s growth in the Block Management sector following the first lockdown in 2020, he has remained focused on developing new technology that simplifies property management and helps keep buildings safe.

A chartered surveyor with extensive experience in the property industry, Julian has played a central role in shaping both his practice and the wider development of building surveying over the past decade. As founder and Group Leader of Earl Kendrick, he has led the business with a practical, entrepreneurial approach, embracing new ways of working while maintaining a strong commitment to continuing professional development.

Under his leadership, the practice has grown into a multi-disciplinary national group, recently celebrating its fifteenth anniversary, known for long-standing client relationships, regular speaking engagements, and his status as a Freeman of the City of London.

Senior Specialist for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in the department for Professional Practice and Development, Mairéad’s remit covers residential agency and management, including regulation of property agents, material information, service charges, commonhold, and leasehold reform.

Mairéad represents RICS on the steering committee of the Home Buying and Selling Group and the Digital Property Marketing Steering Group, among other roles, and is also leading RICS’s work to develop a stock condition survey code of practice for social and affordable rented housing.

A Partner at Brethertons, Mark works closely with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and support them in achieving their strategic goals. His career in property began in estate agency in 1991 before moving into lettings, and he joined Brethertons in 2005, becoming a Partner in 2016.

Mark specialises in the leasehold sector, connecting clients with essential legal support. After five years with a national managing agent gaining frontline experience, he returned to Brethertons in 2023 and is regarded as a well-rounded property professional.

Founder of News on the Block, Nic Shulman leads the UK’s leading publishing and events business for the apartment building management industry. He is also the author of Being a Leaseholder – The Essential Guide to Owning a Flat.

By background, Nicholas is a solicitor and holds law degrees from King’s College London and New York University.

Beginning her career in residential leasehold at the Leasehold Advisory Service, Shabnam worked there for 14 years and qualified as a mediator before moving into private practice in 2015. She is currently a Partner at Russell-Cooke, a top 100 law firm, and brings almost 25 years’ experience in the leasehold sector.

Shabnam works closely with a number of industry bodies, including ALEP, the FPRA, and The Property Institute, is a regular speaker at industry events, and has written extensively on leasehold and leasehold reform for publications including Estates Gazette, The Negotiator, and The Sunday Times.