Contributors

Headshot
Host

Kristjan Byfield

Kristjan Byfield is a lettings expert, industry disruptor, and co-founder of award-winning agency Base Property Specialists and proptech platform The Depositary. With 20+ years in the property world, he’s known for combining ethical lettings with tech innovation—making renting better for landlords, agents, and tenants alike. A passionate speaker, writer, and industry advocate, Kristjan challenges outdated practices and champions transparency, fairness, and real change. Now, on his podcast, he dives into honest conversations with the people shaping the future of housing—cutting through the noise with humour, insight, and a healthy dose of disruption.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristjanbyfield/

Guests

Headshot
Guest

An Deckers

An Deckers is the co-founder and driving force behind Base Property Specialists and The Depositary, bringing nearky three decades of experience, insight, and heart to the London lettings scene. Known for her razor-sharp instincts, legendary spreadsheets, and dry wit, An blends operational brilliance with deep human empathy—building a business that’s as much about people as it is about property.

Originally from Belgium, An’s no-nonsense approach and fierce loyalty have helped shape Base into one of the UK’s most respected independent agencies. She’s steered the company through everything from global recessions to pandemics—always with an eye on service, tech and team. Whether she’s hosting a Viking Chat, mentoring staff, or troubleshooting a tenancy, An brings clarity, calm, and class.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/an-deckers-bb416351/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Ben Madden

Ben Madden is Principal Director at Fine & Country Turnham Green Terrace and a familiar face in the UK property scene. After building and exiting one of West London’s most awarded estate agencies, he stayed in the game by joining Fine & Country’s National Advisory Council and helping shape its future. Never one to sit still, Ben recently launched Digital Sparks—a creative agency helping property pros use video, branding, and AI to grow their reach (and stop being boring online). He’s also the driving force behind The Boys Club, a refreshingly real men’s mental health initiative. Known for being straight-talking, big-hearted, and a little allergic to fluff, Ben’s all about trust, connection, and doing property with purpose. When he’s not leading teams or lighting up LinkedIn, he’s hanging out with his three kids or smashing a 75 Hard challenge. Think: less corporate robot, more real estate rockstar. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-madden-9a8a0417/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Dr. Neil Cobbold

 Neil Cobbold is one of the most recognisable voices in UK PropTech and lettings. Currently Managing Director at Reapit, and formerly the long-standing face of PayProp, Neil has spent over two decades driving innovation, improving compliance, and championing digital transformation across the sector. But he’s far more than just a tech exec. A passionate landlord, regular keynote speaker, and relentless advocate for smarter agency systems, Neil also lives a double life as Dr. Rock—a Drum & Bass DJ and unapologetic rock music superfan. Known for his blend of sharp insights, straight-talking advice, and irrepressible enthusiasm, Neil brings depth, dynamism and a refreshingly human touch to the fast-moving world of property technology. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-cobbold-a5715529/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Mal McCallion

 Mal McCallion is one of the UK’s original PropTech pioneers, with over two decades of experience shaping the property industry through innovation, strategy, and digital transformation. From rolling out PrimeLocation and Zoopla to senior roles at The Guild, GetAgent, and numerous scale-ups, Mal has been at the heart of property’s evolution since the early 2000s. Today, he leads ModelProp—a consultancy focused on demystifying AI and helping agents build future-fit businesses. Known for his razor-sharp insight, warmth and clarity, Mal is passionate about empowering agents to embrace emerging technologies, improve customer experience, and stay ahead of the curve. A sought-after speaker and strategist, he’s dedicated to ensuring estate and letting agents don’t just survive the AI era—but thrive in it. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/malmccallion/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Mark McCorrie

Mark McCorrie is the founder of Made Snappy 360 and the visionary behind GlueDog, a groundbreaking integration tool aiming to revolutionise how PropTech platforms communicate. With a background that spans from coin-operated internet access points to cutting-edge virtual tour technology, Mark is no stranger to innovation—or disruption. Frustrated by the inefficiencies of disjointed CRMs and tech stacks within the property sector, he set out to solve one of the industry's most persistent problems: integration. Passionate, plain-talking, and refreshingly unfiltered, Mark is a staunch advocate for simplifying agency life through seamless tech, without the bloat or buzzwords. When he's not untangling property’s tech mess, he’s usually dreaming up the next digital fix that actually works for agents. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/re-mark-able/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Nick Lyons

Nick Lyons is the founder and CEO of No Letting Go and Kaptur, pioneers in UK property reporting and inventory technology. With a background in global sales and tech startups, Nick entered the lettings industry in 2007 with a mission to tackle its biggest pain points—reliability, accountability, and consistency. He built No Letting Go into the UK’s largest inventory provider, with 90+ offices and over 400 clerks, delivering 10,000+ reports a month. Nick’s tech-first mindset led to the creation of Capture Software—now used by agents and operators nationwide to streamline compliance, automate inspections, and centralise property data. A passionate advocate for operational excellence, risk mitigation, and smart franchising, Nick is at the forefront of AI-driven innovation in lettings—and a firm believer that great tech should make people better, not replace them. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklyonsnlg-kaptur/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Regina Mangan

 Regina Mangan is the Founder and Managing Director of Liberty Blue Estate Agents, a trailblazing agency based in Waterford, Ireland. With over 28 years in the property industry, Regina is known not just for her sharp business acumen but for leading one of Ireland’s most forward-thinking and tech-enabled agencies. A passionate advocate for transparency, continuous improvement, and customer happiness, Regina has embraced digital transformation while staying rooted in strong values and community impact. Through mentorship, mastermind groups, and fearless collaboration, she’s built a culture of openness—believing that knowledge shared is success multiplied. Regina is also a published author, speaker, and champion for raising standards across the property profession. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamangan/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Sian Metcalfe

Sian Metcalfe is the Operations Director at Inventory Base, a leading property technology platform revolutionising how agents and landlords manage inspections and reports. With a background in lettings and a deep understanding of operational challenges within the property sector, Sian is passionate about using technology to streamline processes and elevate customer service. She’s a strong advocate for human-first innovation, believing that automation should empower agents—not replace them. Known for her strategic mindset and hands-on leadership, Sian is driving change in the PropTech space with a focus on empathy, efficiency, and progress.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianhemmingmetcalfe/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Simon Whale

Simon Whale is a prominent figure in the UK property industry, renowned for his dynamic contributions to estate agency technology and supplier relations. As a former director at Reapit, he played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a market-leading CRM provider before its acquisition in 2017. Subsequently, Simon founded Kerfuffle, a platform dedicated to bridging the gap between estate agents and suppliers, offering insights, reviews, and consultancy to enhance business operations. Known for his candid commentary and industry acumen, Simon continues to influence the property sector through thought leadership and innovation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonwhale/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Tim Frome

Tim Frome is a seasoned legal and regulatory expert in the UK property sector, currently serving as Head of Government Schemes at HFIS Group. A qualified solicitor with over 12 years of experience, Tim has played a pivotal role in the development and management of key government-authorised schemes, including the Property Redress Scheme.

At HFIS Group—a leading provider of specialist insurance and redress services for the private rented and aesthetic sectors—Tim oversees operations that support landlords, letting agents, and tenants across the UK. His work focuses on enhancing compliance, transparency, and dispute resolution within the private rented sector.

He is also a respected industry educator, delivering training on the Renters Reform Bill and tenancy deposit disputes. Tim’s blend of legal expertise and practical insight continues to shape the evolving landscape of UK housing regulation.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfrome/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Toby Martin

Toby Martin is a dynamic consultant, speaker and former lettings director with a deep-rooted passion for helping estate and letting agents modernise, stand out, and succeed. With over a decade in the industry—most notably as Director of Operations at Reside in Bath—Toby has a proven track record in streamlining operations, elevating marketing strategies, and driving meaningful change across property businesses.

Now the founder of Toby Martin Consultancy, he works with agencies across the UK to enhance brand identity, adopt new technologies (especially AI), and refine customer journeys. Toby’s approach is creative, hands-on, and refreshingly jargon-free—blending strategic insight with a strong belief in authenticity and human connection. Whether he’s delivering training, auditing processes, or helping teams find their voice, Toby brings energy, expertise and empathy in equal measure.

https://www.tobymartinconsultancy.co.uk/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Tom Durrant

Tom Durrant is the visionary force behind DCTR, a creative powerhouse redefining property marketing. As Managing Director, Tom leads a multidisciplinary team that transforms homes into compelling narratives through striking CGI, immersive branding, and cutting-edge digital experiences .​

With a background in estate agency and a legacy inherited from his father, John Durrant—founder of the pioneering Doctor Photo platform—Tom blends deep industry insight with bold creativity . He champions storytelling over standard listings, urging the industry to move beyond transactional marketing and embrace emotion, imagination, and authenticity .​

Under Tom’s leadership, DCTR has become the go-to creative partner for developers, agents, and brands seeking to stand out in a crowded market. Whether it’s crafting scroll-stopping visuals or building full-scale campaigns, Tom’s mission is clear: to make properties irresistible and marketing unforgettable.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-durrant-63b818a/

Guest appearance on:

Headshot
Guest

Vicky Bibiris

Vicky Bibiris is the Managing Director of Location Location, a multi-award-winning estate agency based in North London. With over 20 years of industry experience, Vicky is known for her people-first leadership style and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service. Under her guidance, Location Location has become a standout example of how clear processes, strong values, and community focus can drive business success. Passionate about professional development and raising standards across the sector, Vicky is a respected voice in UK estate agency and a champion of meaningful change.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-bibiris-35723454/

Guest appearance on: