Living for students
DIRECTORS
Our four 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
ALASTAIR BELL
alastair.bell@domatiaitalia.com
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Graduate & Chartered Surveyor
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Property fund manager and administrator, Imry, JER
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Extensive retail and hotel experience in UK & EU
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Founder, The Other Retail Group
Finance &
Asset Management
OUR TEAM
A comprehensive team of local directors and in-house consultants
supports our operations, including, in Italy:
ALESSANDRA ROSSI
alessandra.rossi@domatiaitalia.com
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Graduate in Languages
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Florentine native
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Fluent in 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
University Relations &
Marketing
CHRISTY SMOLENSKI
christy.smolenski@domatiaitalia.com
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Graduate in Italian language and Fine Arts & Design
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Californian native, now resident in Florence for 13+ years
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10 years' experience in international education and housing coordination
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Experience with Italian real estate and student housing agencies
Acquisitions &
Market Research
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.
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.