Living for students
DIRECTORS
Our three directors have seasoned experience in the European PBSA market.
WILLIAM FFORDE
william.fforde@domatiaitalia.com
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Oxford graduate, FCA (KPMG)
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Worked in all sectors of UK real estate, leading to pioneer entrepreneur in UK PBSA
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Founder director of Varsity Funding (incl. the UK’s first HE PFI; exited with the UK’s first AAA-rated multi-university bond issue)
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Founder director of UniLodge, the UK’s first privately-owned, direct-let, nationwide PBSA chain, sold to Unite in 2001
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20+ years’ experience in Continental Europe
Operations &
Corporate
MARK SWALLOW
mark.swallow@domatiaitalia.com
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Graduate & Chartered Surveyor
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The equity partner who established and ran the Student Team at Knight Frank
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Strong relationships: site finders, developers, universities, owners and key agents
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Numerous positions in PBSA for 30 years, (incl. lead agent for UniLodge)
Acquisitions
& Funding
JOHN WOOD
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Retailer from behind the counter to creation of spending spaces in UK/EU.
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Development Director taking The Mall Fund to £3bn+, and other retail projects.
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Founder, The Other Retail Group.
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Development Director, The Gates Shopping Centre, Durham, including 200+ PBSA rooms.
Development &
Asset Management
OUR TEAM
A comprehensive team of local directors and in-house consultants
supports our operations, including, in Italy:
ALESSANDRA ROSSI
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Graduate in Languages
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Florentine native
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Fluent in Italian & English
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Experience studying abroad
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20+ years' experience with international education
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10+ years' experience coordinating cultural activities and weekend excursions
Operations & University Relations
CHRISTY
SMOLENSKI
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Graduate in Italian language and Fine Arts & Design
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10 years' experience in international education and university student housing coordination
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Experience with Italian real estate and student housing agencies
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Specialises in development & market analysis and research.
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Californian native, now a resident in Florence for over 16+ years
Acquisitions &
Market Research
DOREEN
CHAN
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Graduate in Business & Management
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Retail Development Manager/Associate of The Other Retail Group
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Experience with Development Management & Investment Coordination
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Specialises in global management & operations
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New venture creation
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Managed commercial development of £30million with complete rebranding
Development Executive
MARIAGIULIA
BENNICELLI
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Master degree in architecture
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PhD in Technology of Architecture
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Fluent in Italian, English & French
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17+ years experience in architectural practice and research
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Born in Liguria and based in Umbria after 30+ years in Tuscany
Development Coordinator
PROFESSIONAL TEAM & ALLIANCES
We work with a strong network of local professional re-development teams, including real estate agents, lawyers, architects, project managers, etc. to deliver projects, utilising local contractors & suppliers for construction and refurbishment. We also have a long-standing corporate alliance with:
CRM is the largest UK operator of PBSA, also active in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Poland and Italy. Established and grown by Keith White, Domatia’s Operations Director and CRM’s Chairman.
With over 15 years’ experience in student accommodation management, beyoo is an established provider with a dependable reputation and a wealth of shared expertise. They are passionate about delivering the service and support needed to make, and keep students happy.
SHAREHOLDERS EMERITUS
We also benefit from ongoing interaction with retired directors, who remain shareholders. Their seasoned experience greatly adds to our strategic decisions.
SPONSORS
We work with Sponsor Groups of investors, typically with substantial assets under management including a focus on private equity and real estate. They deploy their capital across the traditional and alternative segments of the real estate market.