We are a firm of independent analysts, commentators and deal finders that deliver wealth creating market intelligence on property investment across Europe.

R esearching, analysing and interpreting long-term property market trends is what we do; translating the facts into useful advice, forecasts and investment deals that help our customers profit from property is our mission.

Property is a long-term investment with no quick and risk-free route to wealth. Prudent analysis, innovative methodologies and the right contacts in the right markets go a long way in making sure that long-term investment generates worthwhile returns, with minimised risk and effort. Making those returns a reality for our customers is our goal.Our market focus is Europe's most dynamic cities and economies.

All of us... always with unyielding integrity..

• Act with transparency and honesty in all financial and other dealings with clients, suppliers and the people we work with
• Are passionately focussed on driving customer success
• Create and redesign our business to deliver higher performance, better reliability and always ensure that the customer is the first to benefit... and that the customer can use it to accelerate his or her growth
• Insist on excellence and are intolerant of bureaucracy
• Act across the business... always searching for and applying best practice ideas regardless of their source
• Prize the teams we work in and the people we work with... built from exceptional individuals located across the world... and connected by technology and shared values.

Alan Forsyth (UK & Overseas Investments Expert) Ask Alan

Alan went to school in Dundee, Scotland before going to Edinburgh University and studying BCom (Hons) Business Studies and Accounting. He bought his first property as a student - a 4 bedroom house in a popular student area.

Over the last 10 years has built up a portfolio of 100 properties in the UK and Overseas, concentrating on cashflow and good local affordability.

Over the last 5 years, since he quit the day job he has carried out over 100 consultations and his team have sourced over 1000 deals for investors. Alan is considered a leading property expert and writer, and his views and articles are regularly sought in the UK and overseas.
He writes regularly for several property publications including www.freshstartmagazine.co.uk, Hot Property Alert, Your Property Network and www.propertytalk.com where he is the UK expert. He is also the Overseas property expert on www.eyeonworldwide.com where he writes a weekly column. He is asked for his views regularly by newspapers, including the Independent, Irish News and the Scotsman and has his own websites.

His article entitled "Why Property?" has been published on property and finance websites throughout the world, such as www.britishexpat.com , www.allmoneytopics.com , www.reidepot.com , www.buyincomeproperties.com and many others.
Other articles can be seen at www.propertytalk.com , www.homestagers.co.uk and www.hotrealestatemall.com
In spare time he plays golf, watches football, travels (although usually to check out a deal!) and spends time with his girlfriend and friends.

Alan will be writing on his views mainly on the UK residential property markets.

Daniel Peacock (IT & CEE Investments Expert) Ask Daniel

Daniel joined the Property Secrets team in October 2009 and immediately took the reigns of website and portfolio's manager. With a history in web design, customer care and direct sales, Daniel's immediate task is to look after the huge PS client list as the company's first point of call.

After leaving school in 1995, Daniel went in to direct home improvement sales and became an instant hit in the industries boom with a number of reputable companies based in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire before setting up his own web business in 1999. Since then, Daniel's portfolio has risen with a small industry dealing all over the UK concentrating on an efficient 'hands on' service with a hugely satisfied client base.

With a varied interest in investment property and good geographical knowledge, Daniel, who keeps a close eye on the European Property Market on a day-to-day basis is a genuine advisor that can always provide an answer.

Outside of office hours, Daniel's affiliation with the local non-league football scene keeps him very busy indeed. Daniel's experience in teamwork,communication and the web industry is pivotal in providing a splendid service to all Property Secrets subscribers.

In his spare time, Daniel runs a number of freelance websites, regularly plays and watches football, enjoys golf, loves travelling, music and writing.

Mark Ryder (UK Buy-to-Let Expert) Ask Mark

After school Mark under took a range of further studies, including a Business Studies Diploma and an MSc in Manufacturing Management and Technology.

Has worked for several blue chip companies in Senior Management roles both in the UK and Europe spending extended periods of time in Italy (Turin) and Spain (Barcelona).

After becoming somewhat disillusioned with the corporate world left full time employment in 2001 and started out on his own delivering a range of training programs and consultancy work for a wide variety of companies.

Purchased first BTL property in 2003 and hasn't stopped since. Mark has focussed primarily on the traditional terraced type properties although he has at times deviated and added a few commercial bargains to his portfolio. Marks portfolio stands close to 100 properties and shows no sign of slowing down.

Mark left the training / consultancy work behind in 2005 and since then has focussed full time on property investing for both himself and a vast range of clients.

Mark is married with one child and lives in the North East of England.

In his spare time Mark enjoys reading business and self-improvement books and trying to keep up with his 5-year-old son!

Nathan Brown (Czech Republic Property Expert) Ask Nathan

Since 2003, Czech Point 101 has provided honest, reliable assistance to foreign investor groups and private individuals looking to profit from a growing Czech real estate market. As owner and managing director of Czech Point 101, Nathan Brown explains in his own words why Czech Point 101's services are so highly valued by foreign investors:

"As a Canadian, speaking the same language as many of our foreign investors has helped a lot.

"But more importantly, we share the same business culture. Communication, transparency, meeting deadlines, responsiveness, customer service -- these are all expected standards of business -- whether the investor is British, American, or western European. Coming out of communism less than a generation ago, these values are not commonly found in Czech companies. In fact, it's often quite the opposite -- many current customers of Czech Point 101, before finding us, have had less-than-positive experiences with local firms.

"I moved to this country several years ago, and it wasn't easy in the beginning. It took me a long time to learn the system, build a strong team, and find competent lawyers and accountants.

"It's been a long journey, but I am convinced our company is the most qualified in this country to assist foreign and local investors."

Nathan's years of corporate and entrepreneurial success are an essential asset to any client investing in the Czech Republic, regardless of their previous experience in this country. Czech Point 101 is a composite team of customer service -reminded people, with offices in the major Czech cities.

In a country where customer service standards are different than what Westerners have come to expect, each associate in the company is carefully chosen. This is supplemented by regular group training sessions which ensure that the same high standards, values and procedures are implemented in each of our offices.

Hadley Barrett (Renewable Energy Expert) Ask Hadley

Hadley Barrett is CEO and major shareholder of the Oxford Sustainable Group. The Oxford Sustainable Group is the leading investment, renewable energy and sustainable development company in the CEE/North region with around 2.5bn GDV of projects under management, over half of these invested using own capital. The Group has developed the Oxford 360 degree Sustainability Index, providing industry thought-leadership through the assessment and implementation of its investments.

Hadley graduated with a BA in Economics, and read an MBA degree at Oxford University. He has successfully managed nine investment opportunities generating excellent returns and currently directs five stock market listed renewable/sustainable funds focused on CEE/North and Near Asia.

Hadley has lead trainings, presentations, position papers and advisory talks on generating high profits through sustainability in various European capitals to major banks, governments, institutions and global real estate companies. He leads companies which are founding members of the Romanian Green Building Council, World Sustainable Development Council, CarbonNeutral organisation, inter alia. Hadley speaks English, Dutch and Russian, with an interest in cultural developments in Eastern Europe. Hadley has been involved with many team sports and currently has a regular gym schedule.

Laura Davey (Property Insurance Expert) Ask Laura

Laura Davey is one of Alan Boswell Groups landlord insurance experts. She started her career at Wensum Insurance Brokers, dealing with both personal insurance and commercial insurance before joining the Alan Boswell Group based in East Anglia in 2002. Since then she has built up a wealth of technical underwriting and product knowledge together with knowledge of the property insurance market for both residential lets and owner occupied properties.

She is the point of contact for a number of different insurance introducers and corporate partners, managing both their new business and renewal enquiries. She is also very knowledgeable with additional products like legal expenses, rent guarantee and home emergency.

In her spare time, Laura enjoys horse riding, travel and music.

Nigel Hodges (Financial Expert) Ask Nigel

Nigel Hodges is the resident currency expert at Currency Solutions, a London based foreign exchange firm.
Having graduated from Leicester University in 2002, Nigel quickly moved into foreign exchange and has worked with Currency Solutions since its inception in 2003.

With over six years experience in the industry, Nigel is a wealth of information on all things currency related. Specialising in private clients and the international property market, Nigel has worked closely with Property Secrets helping hundreds of clients save money and avoid the risks associated with making foreign currency transfers.

Nigel's expert knowledge and personal service have seen his clients return again and again. The information he provides enables clients to make an educated decision as to how and when to make transfers. You can find his market insights on the regular blog Nigel writes for Property Secrets or contact him on n.hodges@currencysolutions.co.uk.

In his spare time, Nigel loves travel, football and competes regularly in Iron Man competitions.

Antony Tilney (Polish Property & Finance Expert) Ask Antony

Having worked as an IT consultant for 15 years at a number of sites around the UK and most recently for 6 years at an investment bank in the City, Antony quit the day job 5 years ago to concentrate on his property investments.

Antony bought his first BTL property in 1997 and gradually added a few more in the UK until seizing the opportunity in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) created by the Euro accession countries in May 2004, buying 30 properties over the following 3 years.

Having spent the last few years managing and fine tuning his property portfolio in CEE (predominately in Poland and Czech) organising such things as finance, developer handover, final finish, kitchen installations, initial rental and ongoing property management.

Building on this extensive experience with a host of local contacts Antony can now assist clients with all aspects of the post completion process, providing quotes for fitout, kitchens, rental & resale for your unit. Able to recommend tried and tested providers and oversee the whole process, always happy to discuss different options and the best way forward utilising his extensive and varied experience built up over the last 5 years.

After personally encountering constant hassle, bureaucracy and poor feedback and communication in trying to obtain Polish mortgages Antony now offers a mortgage service.

Clients will have the opportunity to discuss the different finance options with an experienced English property investor who understands the market. There any many banks all with different lending criteria and their own products aimed at different segments of the market, additionally there are several different loan currencies available. Antony can talk you through the various options and discuss your personal financial situation along with your investment aims and investment timeframe, all this has a bearing on which products will be right for you.

You can see some examples of fitouts and details of finance options via Antony's new website www.ceeproperty.co.uk

Antony is married with 2 children and lives in the South East of England.

In his spare time Antony enjoys running, mountain biking and competing in adventure triathlons.

Andras Patkai (Hungarian Property Expert) Ask Andras

Andras Patkai is the founder of CE Invest Group, managing real estate investment portfolios for foreign investors in Hungary and Slovakia. Since 1996 Andras has worked with property investors in Eastern Europe, helping them locate and negotiate promising deals, connecting them with lawyers, accountants and financial professionals.

A Hungarian, growing up in Africa, having studied and worked in a number of countries worldwide, fluent in several languages, Andras is able identify with the international investor working in a foreign environment.

Andras has an MA in English Literature, History, and Linguistics, as well as a teacher's degree in psychology and education. Extensive experience with IT infrastructure and Internet marketing lead to the launching of the first online company database in Hungary, which brought a flood of investment inquiries as the Eastern Bloc was bracing for integration with the European Union. During these years Andras developed and successfully sold a series of property businesses with the various waves of foreign investment in the region: German, Israeli, Irish, British, and Spanish, respectively. His current involvement in homeland security, the energy sector, and assuming the role of CEO in the country's second largest commercial television news channel for two years, has enabled him to develop a valuable network of contacts to the benefit of his clients.

Martin Melisko (Slovakian Property Expert) Ask Martin

Martin Melisko, co-founder of CE Invest Group, focuses on revenue consolidation for investors who own property in Slovakia. He was able to steer the company effectively through the rapid transformation of the financial and economic landscape in 2008-2009, as a result of which the business doubled in size, significantly reduced vacancy rates, and created a structured system for controlling work flow as well as income and expenses in the survival game of property management.

Educated in Slovakia, Hungary, and the United States, fluent in three languages, Martin graduated from the College of Management in Bratislava, Slovakia. He is a certified appraiser and real estate specialist with wide-ranging experience in selling new-built property, fitting out old classical apartments, negotiating large commercial deals, implementing tailor-made furniture packs for entire buildings, and investments in the hotel industry.

Based in Budapest and Bratislava, as professional consultants, Andras and Martin aim to create an absolutely transparent business environment for corporate groups, property syndicates, investment funds, and the private buy-to-let investor coming to Central Eastern Europe.

Colin Davison (Tax & Business Support Expert) Ask Colin

Colin Davison, property accountant specialising in tax and business support for property investors has an interesting background.

Whilst working as a Chartered Accountant was the main drive, to avoid just having accounting interests, he qualified at Reading Uni in 1994 with the BSc Regional Science, studied the property and regional market from an economic angle. Property and investment was not part of an accidental stumble which forms part of many people's stories. Whilst at Grant Thornton where he qualified he specialised in accounts, tax and audits of property businesses from family run companies to larger establishments like Bradford Property Trust.

Breaking away from the norm in offering bespoke consulting support as well as conventional tax returns for a whole range of growing businesses, Cranleys Consulting was formed in 1998, now in it's 12 year has seen many of those investors start and develop over the last decade. Colin is an avid investor with over a £4million portfolio with over UK, residential and commercial, offshore companies, funds, trusts and syndicates holding property investments. Whilst writing over 3 books for Property Secrets and 6 books for himself covering Property Tax Secrets, Property Business Secrets being the best sellers. Colin still manages to find time for his wife and three children and has an interest in running a Dragons Den style business investment club based in Basingstoke.

Mark McLaughlin (Tax Consultant) Ask Mark

Mark is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation and a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. He is the Editor of Bloomsbury Professional's 'Core Tax Annuals' series, and a co-author of the Inheritance Tax Annual' from that series. Mark is the Editor of the 'Tax Planning Annual', and co-author of Ray & McLaughlin's Practical IHT Planning (Bloomsbury Professional), and is also a contributor to other tax publications. He has written numerous articles for professional journals, including Taxation, Tax Advisor, Tolley's Practical Tax, Tax Journal and Simon's Weekly Tax Intelligence.

Since January 1998, Mark has been a consultant in his tax practice, Mark McLaughlin Associates, which provides tax consultancy and support services to professional firms throughout the UK.

Ross Lindsay (Financial Advisor) Ask Ross

Ross offers innovative and leading edge tax and estate planning advice to clients throughout the UK, primarily business owners, their key executives and their families. Lazy pensions to SIPP’s would be a specialty.

A fully qualified and authorised financial planner, Ross’s career spans 30 years during which he has run and owned advisory and financial services firms including direct sales, estate agency and mortgage services.

A Certified Member of the Personal Finance Society and Chairman (West of Scotland) in 2000, his knowledge is invaluable. Ross relates well to business owners of all sizes and in all sectors, from successful sole traders to businesses with 50 or more employees. He understands that Westwood’s varied client base all have common objectives: to grow existing assets; preserve existing wealth and mitigate against taxation.