About us

Alan Forsyth

Alan went to school in Dundee, before going to Edinburgh University and studying BCom (Hons) Business Studies and Accounting. He bought his first property as a student – a 4 bedroom house in a popular student area. On graduating, joined a blue chip company, was offered a manager’s role after a year, and stayed for 5 years. During this time he also completed a diploma in Business Administration at Lancaster University.

Sold Edinburgh property, and with the profits bought several properties in Leeds where was based at the time. He then joined a larger blue chip company in 2002 as an operations manager. Around this time read Rich dad Poor Dad, and realised he wanted a different life! He set clear goals, and started investing further on properties.

Quit the day job in July 2004 and soon set up the website, www.property-investment-tips.com, then set up the website www.property-investment-deals.com at the start of 2005.

Since then he has carried out over 100 consultations and his team have sourced over 1000 deals for investors. Alan is considered a leading property expert and writer, and his views and articles are regularly sought in the UK and overseas.

He writes regularly for several property publications including Peter Parfait's www.hotpropertyalert.co.uk, www.freshstartmagazine.co.uk and www.propertytalk.com where he is the UK expert. He is also the Overseas property expert on www.eyeonworldwide.com where he writes a weekly column. He is asked for his views regularly by newspapers, including the Independent, Irish News and the Scotsman.

His article entitled "Why Property?" has been published on property and finance websites throughout the world, such as www.britishexpat.com , www.allmoneytopics.com , www.reidepot.com , www.buyincomeproperties.com and many others.

Other articles can be seen at www.propertytalk.com , www.homestagers.co.uk and www.hotrealestatemall.com

For more details on other Articles written by Alan, click on the following page, which lists them in more detail - Articles

In his spare time he plays golf, watches football, travels (although usually to check out a deal!) and spends time with girlfriend and friends. Key influences - Kiyosaki, Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, and many other successful self made people.

Wayne Houghton - Operations Manager

Following school I studied Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough College whilst training as a Product Design & Development Engineer for a company that manufactured components for the automotive industry. In 1992 moved to a blue chip company, where I worked in several areas of operations and then part of the operations management team. This is where Alan and I met and became more interested in property investment.

Shortly after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad which Alan had recommended reading, I started investing in property. Based in the main office I deal with enquiries from new and current investors on both UK and overseas investments. I also liase with all members of the team, Investors, Solicitors and Finance to ensure your investment completes as smoothly as possible.

Used to enjoy playing football until recently retired where an injury brought an early end to a glittering career! I would also like to say I enjoy golf on a regular basis, but who actually enjoys such a frustrating game?

James Syson - Portfolio Development Manager

Since graduating from Leeds Business School in 1993 I've worked in Sales & Marketing for 10 years in Nottingham & London and also worked for periods of time in the Far East and USA. I quit the day job in 2004 to dedicate myself to residential property investment and have fairly quickly built up a portfolio of 30+ properties in the UK & overseas. During the course of the past four years I have built up a considerable knowledge and experience base in residential property investment and have enjoyed working with Alan Forsyth and investors over the past 8 months helping to advise & provide guidance on how to build a strong & profitable property portfolio. I enjoy travel and (when I'm not looking at property) I ride my bicycle (looking at property) and spending time with my new and beautiful wife!

Abi Trigg - Portfolio Development Manager

Graduated from The University of Nottingham in 1999 with a BSc Hons degree in Geography. From here joined the largest corporate estate agency and became a Branch manager very quickly. Then joined an independent estate agency at Director level working across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Joined Property Investment Deals in Nov 2007 as a "Portfoilo Development Manager", responsible for sales in UK and overseas, helping existing/new investors build up their property portfolios. A keen showjumper in my spare time, competing all over the country at national level.

Richard Thomson - Scotland Buy to Let Manager

From school spent 3 years playing football for Dundee United - one of the top teams in Scotland!(Is there such a thing?)

Left in 1998 to study Pharmacology at Glasgow University and graduated in 2002 with a 2.1 (hons). Has learnt more in the last 2 years than in 4 at university - as Rich Dad advocates your financial education is more important in the age we live.

Lives in the east of Scotland - but travels throughout Scotland sourcing properties - finding over 100 high yielding buy to let deals last year for investors.

Richard is considered an expert in the Scottish property market, and knows the property market and the local markets as well as anyone - and is also a property investor himself, buying regularly - he runs our Scottish sourcing service, co-ordinating deals with investors, lawyers and mortgage brokers.

He enjoys several sports, in particular football, and has been known to pick up a tennis racquet and golf clubs on occasion.

Rachael Shilham - Investor Relations Consultant

After graduating from Nottingham Trent University, my career began in the finance industry. Whilst working for The Melton Mowbray Building Society as a Mortgage Underwriter I got married and had two children. Now my children are both at school I decided it was time for a change.

With the financial experience I had gained, a new position with Property Investment Deals was exactly the exciting and challenging career move I was looking for. 2007 is going to be an exciting time for myself and the rest of the team and I'm looking forward to getting to know all our existing clients and meeting all our new ones - working on the UK and Overseas deals.

Suzanne Harle - Investor Relations Consultant

After 8 years working my way up to Assistant Manager of a travel agent, I was made redundant and decided to change careers. I then worked for a sub-prime finance company for 6 years in a number of roles from underwriting to team manager within the secured lending sector, before joining Property Investment Deals in November 2007 where I deal with the follow-up of both UK deals and some overseas. I enjoy watching football, support Nottingham Forest but also follow Chelsea, as my dad's a lifelong fan. I also like going out for meals and a few drinks with my boyfriend and my friends - I am partial to the odd glass of wine!! I like to travel, try to go on at least two holidays every year, including to Spain where we have an apartment.

Graham Doyle - Investor Relations Consultant

After leaving college back in the late 80's Graham joined the Royal Navy and completed a fair many years service in a multitude of differing roles from accounts and logistic management to NATO advisor and defence diplomacy, he also managed to squeeze in a couple of wars. Graham joined Property Investment Deals in February of 2008, currently engaged in working with investors on a number of key overseas deals. In his spare time Graham enjoys a number of sports providing he doesn't get cold, wet, dirty or injured.

Rest of the Team

We have a team working for us in the UK - with 6 property finders based around the UK who are out in their areas on a daily basis checking on new deals, and seeing current deals through smoothly. Many of you will have met Mark or David at one of our informal evenings or when viewing properties in their local areas.

We have a regional office in the NE - where many of our viewing trips are co-ordinated from. Mark owns over 50 properties himself in the North East, and is one of our key sourcers in the area.

We also have an excellent team of mortgage brokers, lawyers and letting agents who look after our recommended properties.

Overseas, we have joint venture partners in several countries, including Czech Republic, Poland, Spain, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and USA.

We send out a free newsletter every week to over 7000 property investors, with latest deals, tips on strategies, where to buy, recommended books and courses. You can sign up, for free, below - you will also receive our free 7 part property course by email, entitled "7 Fatal Mistakes to Avoid as an Investor"!