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Management Team

Neil Young - Chief Executive, Young Group

A qualified accountant, Neil has more than 10 years experience in global corporate finance having worked with companies such as Thomson Holidays and British Airways. In 2000 he was appointed European Chief Financial Officer at Highland Partners, before leaving to found Young Group.

Neil works closely with his management team to ensure that Young Group operates effectively to manage clients’ investment assets and to ensure that all Group companies remain focused on delivering excellent service in all areas, whether it be in the realm of financial advice (Young Finance), investment opportunities, property management (Young London) or furnishing (Young Furnishing).

Sylvana Young - Chief Operating Officer, Young Group

A qualified surveyor, Sylvana began her career specialising in commercial property with SEGRO before moving on to focus on residential property in 1993. Sylvana has experience of all aspects of residential development, including valuation, interior design, lettings and management having worked, amongst others, for DTZ Tie Leung in Hong Kong and The UK Valuation Office.

As Young Group’s COO, Sylvana oversees all operational aspects of the group’s companies as well as heading Young London.

David Mackenzie - Portfolio Director, Young Group

A qualified accountant, David began his career with Lloyds TSB before moving to British Airways where he worked for 12 years. In 2000 he joined Hays Plc where he was pivotal to the successful £200 million buyout by Iron Mountain. David was subsequently appointed Head of European Finance before moving to Young Group in 2005.

David heads Young Group’s team of Portfolio Managers, ensuring that landlords’ portfolios are developed to suit their own specific circumstances, in accordance with their individual risk profile and investment holdings in other asset classes.  David is the principal point of contact for landlords who hold a portfolio of properties that are let and managed by Young London, liaising internally with the Young London team.

Michael Oakes - Director of Communications Young Group

After studying for his Doctorate Degree and spending three years as a research academic, Michael forged his early professional career with a boutique London-based Public Relations agency focused on bringing US companies to the UK market for the first time.  Michael has subsequently orchestrated strategic marketing, public relations and advertising campaigns throughout Europe for some of the world’s best known consumer and business-to-business brands.

Following three years working across mainland Europe, Michael returned to the UK to head the Built Environment team at professional services communications agency Spada, before joining Young Group in 2007.  Michael heads Young Group’s research and communications team and is responsible for driving all media, marketing and online activity for Young Group and its subsidiaries, including Young London, Young Finance and Young Furnishing.

Mark Chamberlain – Contracts & Compliance Manager

A fully qualified lettings professional with 18 years experience, Mark manages Young London’s Contracts & Compliance team.  The expertise that Mark has gleaned during a career which has seen him manage a number of letting agencies as well as building two from scratch, together with a head for detail and procedures, ensures that all of our contracts and landlords’ tenancies are fully compliant and legally binding.  The Contracts & Compliance team ensures that our landlords meet the legal and regulatory obligations associated with their tenancies at all times.  In addition, Mark and his team also make certain that each tenant is suitably screened and fully referenced before signing a tenancy agreement and work with landlords’ portfolio managers to proactively manage the process of tenancy renewals at an early stage in order to minimise potential void periods.

Christo Du Plessis – Property Manager

A business graduate having worked in residential property management for more than 8 years, Christo not only brings experience, but also a conscientious and level headed approach to what can be a challenging role.  Christo is responsible for managing Young London’s legal responsibilities and those of our landlords, as well as ensuring that tenants’ are well protected.  In the rare event of a deposit or rental dispute, Christo works to resolve the issues as quickly and amicably as possible.  Christo leads the property management team overseeing the prompt payment of rent, accurate inventories and swiftly organising any maintenance issues.