Our Team

Maria’s passion for real estate finance and particularly financial modelling is built on specialist roles in the highly quantitative fields of property derivatives, renewable… Maria’s passion for real estate finance and particularly financial modelling is built on specialist roles in the highly quantitative fields of property derivatives, renewable energy and listed Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) analysis With global consulting and leadership experience, Maria is an internationally recognised authority, speaker and thought-leader on the organisational benefits of best practice financial modelling and diversity in real estate. Maria is the CEO and principal trainer of Cambridge Finance, which she founded with the aim to bring top-quality real estate finance education to the property industry. Maria also founded in 2012, the diversity group for real estate, Real Estate Women (RE:WOMEN), with the objective to advocate for equality and more representation of minorities in senior positions.

As Head of Growth at Cambridge Finance, Binta oversees the marketing data that underpins our decision-making, alongside client management and training delivery. Her background is… As Head of Growth at Cambridge Finance, Binta oversees the marketing data that underpins our decision-making, alongside client management and training delivery. Her background is a bit of a mixed bag: She came up through recruitment, primarily in the student space, before training in interior architecture. This is an unusual combination, but one that’s shaped how she thinks about both people and structure in her work. Binta likes long walks; a beach is always better! Traveling and spending time with family.

As Executive Assistant, Natalie provides administrative support to the team and assist with our marketing to help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Before… As Executive Assistant, Natalie provides administrative support to the team and assist with our marketing to help keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Before joining the team, she has spent many years working in international law firms, where she developed strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced, professional environments. That experience has given her a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities while providing high-quality support. Natalie enjoys being part of a collaborative team and take pride in helping the business operate efficiently while supporting our marketing efforts and delivering excellent service.

Bernd Kerner is a financial services consultant, specialising in credit risk management, European real estate structured finance (including CMBS structures) and investments. He… Bernd Kerner is a financial services consultant, specialising in credit risk management, European real estate structured finance (including CMBS structures) and investments. He has worked for more than 20 years in the financial services industry, and in particular as – Investment Director for Man Group in London on the private debt side with the main focus on the setting-up of a European whole loan real estate fund and – Head of Credit Risk of one of J.P. Morgan’s German legal entities and previously as Head of Underwriting of the Structured Real Estate Finance business in both the UK and Germany. The roles required Bernd’s engagement at Senior Management/ Investment Committee level for the private debt activities and at Board and Supervisory Board level and with German regulators and auditors for the banking activities. Bernd holds a BSBA of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management.

Dr. Pereira is a leading academic and practitioner in the property finance markets in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Ricardo founded In Prop Capital LLP in 2008, a UK… Dr. Pereira is a leading academic and practitioner in the property finance markets in the United Kingdom and worldwide. Ricardo founded In Prop Capital LLP in 2008, a UK commercial property fund which focuses on real estate derivatives as a way to deliver synthetic property returns to investors Prior to InProp Capital, Ricardo was a Real Estate Strategist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s where he developed the property derivatives trading strategies for the bank’s clients. Ricardo’s innovative views on risk management and property derivatives meant that he has published in high-impact academic journals, such as The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics (2007 & 2009), Econometrics and Risk Management (2008) and international property conferences. Ricardo earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Universidade do Minho, Portugal and his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK. Ricardo speaks Portuguese and English fluently.

Dr. Xu is a Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at the University of Manchester. She was an Assistant Professor at the Capital University of Economics and Business and a researcher at… Dr. Xu is a Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at the University of Manchester. She was an Assistant Professor at the Capital University of Economics and Business and a researcher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, having completed her PhD at the University of Hong Kong. Sherry’s research interests lie primarily in various fields of real estate economics and finance, for example, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Retail Real Estate Asset Management, Market Efficiency and Expectations, and Term-Structure of Interest. More recently, her research has expanded to Blockchain Applications in Real Estate, Sustainability, PropTech and ESG investing. She has expertise in data analysis, financial modelling, asset pricing, and investment appraisal.

Justin Mason is a highly experienced valuer of prime and super prime property in London and in prestigious areas beyond. Listed in the Spear’s 500 as “Top Recommended” for… Justin Mason is a highly experienced valuer of prime and super prime property in London and in prestigious areas beyond. Listed in the Spear’s 500 as “Top Recommended” for Property Investment, Finance, Management and Private Office Services, he is also a respected expert witness, providing reports for Court purposes and facing cross-examination at High Court level. Justin’s entry into property began in 1989, before qualifying as a chartered surveyor and building a career in well-respected firms. He spent over a decade with Knight Frank, much of it as a partner, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of London’s premier postcodes as well as a natural ability to connect with clients.

Romney is a Senior Investor Director at Abrdn plc, with 19 years experience as a REIT analyst and investor. He manages the Abrdn UK Real Estate Share and Abrdn European Real… Romney is a Senior Investor Director at Abrdn plc, with 19 years experience as a REIT analyst and investor. He manages the Abrdn UK Real Estate Share and Abrdn European Real Estate funds. Romney is a CFA Charter holder, and has a BA Hons in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Oxford University, and a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) from City University.

Nikodem is an Associate Professor at UCL – University College London and the Director of the Bartlett Real Estate Institute, housed within the world’s top-ranked… Nikodem is an Associate Professor at UCL – University College London and the Director of the Bartlett Real Estate Institute, housed within the world’s top-ranked faculty of built environment according to QS 2023. Nikodem previously worked at the London School of Economics after completing his PhD at Cambridge University. He also holds the position of an academic visitor at the Bank of England and serves as a Research Affiliate at the UCL Centre for Finance. In addition to being published in leading academic outlets, his work has been featured in leading non-academic outlets such as the Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, World Economic Forum – Strategic Intelligence, the Guardian, Bloomberg Businessweek or IPE Magazine.