The UK’s luxury property market, once dominated by billionaires from China and the Middle East, is now being led by British entrepreneurs, according to leading wealth expert Islay Robinson.
Founder of ENNESS Global, the 44-year-old entrepreneur reveals that the people who enquire about high-value UK property has drastically changed.
“Brits are investing in Britain again,” stated Robinson. “Our fastest-growing area of enquiries is from entrepreneurs who have built their own business in AI and tech, as well as crypto and private equity finance.”
Robinson also revealed that many of his clients have turned their hobbies into lucrative businesses. “One of my high-net-worth clients is a British entrepreneur who designs furniture. As a business owner myself, I find it inspiring to see these clients’ journeys,” he said.
He also added that the property landscape is now beginning to see investments from those who’ve made their money across social media, including influencers and creators. He said: “[We] will loan money against their digital income to afford their dream home.”
According to Robinson, London continues to be a hotspot for high-value properties, but the focus is shifting. Hampstead and Marylebone are rising in popularity, while Bayswater is attracting interest due to new developments.
Knightsbridge and Mayfair maintain their status as prime locations for heritage properties. Schools such as Westminster and St. Paul’s are major attractions for families, while the Elizabeth Line is making areas like Canary Wharf more appealing for City workers. For football enthusiasts, the proximity of Chelsea to luxury homes is always a bonus.
Although Islay has noticed a spike in wealthy UK individuals seeking his company’s services, he says there is still plenty of interest from across the globe in people looking for mortgage and business finance.
Robinson’s company specialises in high-end properties with an average value of £20 million, with recent transactions going even higher. He has been involved in deals such as selling a €13 million mansion in the Balearic Islands and facilitating a UK client to raise £5 million for investment purposes.
He’s also assisted a tech tycoon in securing £5 million using bitcoin for a real estate venture. Yet, despite the glamour of supercars and private jets, certain challenges remain constant.
“For anyone with complex assets, navigating finance is still a challenge,” explains Robinson. It seems regardless of wealth, whether it be billionaires or furniture designers, Britain’s financial elite prefer keeping their interests local.