Director Clear-Investments | Build to Rent | Specialised In Dealing With High Net Worth Individuals In UK & Internationally

I help investors secure genuine off-market London property with speed, discretion, and clean title — not recycled listings.

Trusted by family offices, HNWIs, and private investors, I specialise in sourcing prime residential and BTR opportunities across Zones 1–3 — from Chelsea to Hampstead — through direct-to-vendor relationships that others rarely access.

My approach is simple: deliver real access and real execution. Every deal is structured with clarity, legal integrity, and investor pace — working closely with trusted lawyers, finance brokers, and planners to make decisions happen fast.

Clients work with me because I value trust over transaction and precision over pressure. Whether it’s a single apartment or a multi-unit block, I’m focused on long-term partnerships, not one-off deals.

Outside of property, I’m a competitive cyclist — and that mindset of discipline, endurance, and focus shapes how I operate in business too.

If you’re allocating capital in London residential property or want boots-on-the-ground sourcing with genuine access, let’s connect.

Iftikhar Ahmed

I’m back after a two-month break from LinkedIn.

And a few things changed while I was away.

First, LinkedIn feels louder than before.
More opinions. More noise. Less depth.

Second, everyone seems to be in a rush to sell something.

Faster pitches. 
Shorter attention. 
Quicker judgments.

And third, genuine conversations feel rarer.
But when they happen, they matter more than ever.

But more than all of that, something else happened.

When I opened LinkedIn after those two months, I saw hundreds of unread messages.

Messages saying:

“Ifti, are you okay?”
“Where did you disappear?”
“Hope everything is fine on your end.”
“LinkedIn doesn’t feel the same without your insights.”

I didn’t expect that.

And that’s when it hit me.

Over the last year, without being loud or trying to impress, I had built something real.

Not just content.
Not just visibility.

A small, loyal community of people who cared beyond the post.

And that means a lot to me.

So yes, I’m back.
But things will be different this time.

This profile won’t be about surface-level updates or chasing attention.

I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned from 25 years on the ground in Central London property,
the realities people don’t talk about,
the decisions that protect reputations,
and the thinking that helps trusted advisors serve their clients better.

I want this space to be about meaningful conversations,

with people who value discretion, long-term thinking, and doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest way.

If you believe relationships matter more than transactions, and clarity matters more than noise,

we’ll get along just fine.

Good to be back.

P.S. - How has the new year been treating you so far?

Director Clear-Investments| Scaling London Property Portfolios | Bulk Acquisitions & Bespoke Sourcing for Global HNWIs |

One thing I’ve never negotiated with in my life is my health.

Not when work gets busy.
Not when travel gets hectic.
Not even when the days get long.

For me, staying fit isn’t about looking a certain way. 

It’s about clarity, stamina, and showing up fully, year after year.

Cycling has always helped me with that. 

Some days it’s the only time my mind slows down. 

Over the years, I’ve realised that if you want to stay sharp in your career, especially over decades, your body has to keep up with your responsibilities.

If you don’t take care of it, everything else eventually pays the price, focus, decision-making, even temperament.

I’ve seen many talented people burn out not because they lacked skill, but because they ignored the basics for too long.

For me, fitness is not a break from work.

It’s part of how I stay sharp, grounded, and dependable.

And In my opinion long careers aren’t built on intensity alone.

They’re built on sustainability.

And that starts with taking responsibility for your own health, before anything else.

A few years ago, a senior advisor called me late one evening.

He wasn’t asking for a deal.
He wasn’t asking for numbers.

He said, “Iftikhar, I have a long-standing client. 

Very particular, Very private. I can’t afford to get this wrong.”

I knew exactly what he meant.

When you sit in that position, private banker, wealth manager, family office principal, the risk isn’t just financial.

It’s reputational.

You’re not judged on effort.
You’re judged on outcomes.

And the truth is, most advisors don’t lose clients because they lack intent or intelligence.

They lose them because they were forced to rely on the wrong execution partner at the wrong moment.

-Generic agents.
-Over-promised access.
-Or someone who understood the price but not the responsibility.

In Central London, that margin for error is razor thin.

This is why, over the years, I stopped thinking in terms of “transactions” and started thinking in terms of protection.

-> Protecting the client from bad decisions.
-> Protecting the advisor from uncomfortable explanations.
-> Protecting trust that took decades to build.

That evening, I didn’t show listings.
I didn’t pitch.

I asked questions.
I explained what was realistic, what wasn’t, and where patience mattered more than speed.

That client eventually invested. Quietly and Correctly.

And the advisor kept his relationship intact.

This is the part of the business that rarely gets discussed publicly.
But it’s the part that matters most.

If you’re in a position where your name is attached to every recommendation you make, you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about.

Because in the end, access is important.

But judgement is everything.

What’s the biggest risk you try to protect your clients from, a bad deal or a bad experience?

After all these years, one thing still surprises me.

The most difficult part of this work is not finding opportunities.

It’s knowing when not to act.

Early in my career, I believed speed was an advantage.

Respond quickly. Move fast. Close efficiently.

With time, I learned something different.

The best decisions often come from restraint.

From saying, “Not yet.”
From walking away when something doesn’t feel right, even if it looks good on paper.

When you’re advising people who’ve taken decades to build wealth, haste becomes a liability.

And patience becomes a form of respect.

Some of the strongest relationships I’ve built didn’t start with a transaction.

They started with an honest conversation where the answer was no.

No pressure.
No urgency.
Just clarity.

This approach doesn’t make noise.
But it builds something far more valuable over time, trust.

And trust, in this world, compounds quietly.

There’s something about working with very successful people that no one really tells you.

The money isn’t the hard part.
The emotions are.

When someone has spent decades building wealth, every decision carries history. 

Past wins. 
Past losses. 
Family expectations.
Fear of making a mistake.
Regret. 
Pride. 

And all of that walks into the room with them.

As advisors, we’re often expected to be calm, confident, and certain. 

But behind that, there’s a lot of listening that needs to happen before anything sensible can move forward.

I’ve learned over time that the most important thing you can offer in those moments isn’t a solution.

It’s composure.

The ability to slow things down, to read what isn’t being said, and to know when reassurance matters more than action.

This part of the work doesn’t show up in numbers or reports.

But it’s where trust is either built or quietly lost.

If you’ve ever sat across from someone who had everything to gain and everything to lose, you’ll know exactly what I mean.

One thing that surprises people outside this market is this:

Most Central London deals don’t fall apart at the start.
They fall apart after everyone thinks it’s done.

Price agreed.
Hands shaken.
Client excited.

And then the real work begins.

This is where assumptions surface, expectations clash, timelines stretch, and small misunderstandings quietly turn into big problems.

At this stage, it’s no longer about negotiation skills.

It’s about judgement, patience, and knowing how these situations usually unravel if not handled carefully.

Over the years, I’ve learned that closing a deal is rarely the hardest part.

Protecting it through the final stretch is.

That’s why experience matters most when things slow down, not when they move fast.

Because in this market, confidence is built not on how quickly you agree, but on how calmly you handle what comes after.

P.S- Where do you see deals break down most often, early excitement or late execution?

Everyone talks about off-market property.

Very few understand what it actually means.

In Central London, off-market is not about secrecy or special listings. 

It’s about trust, timing, and long-standing relationships.

Developers don’t “release” inventory quietly by accident. 

They do it because they know 

-> Who can execute
-> Who won’t waste time
-> Who understands the responsibility that comes with introducing the right buyer.

After 25 years on the ground, I’ve learned this:

Access is built long before a deal ever exists.

That’s why relying on generic agents or last-minute sourcing often puts advisors in uncomfortable positions with their best clients.

The real work happens much earlier.

In conversations, credibility, and consistency.

P.S- Do you think off-market is about information, or relationships?

Most difficult conversations in my work don’t start with numbers.

They start when someone says,
“My client wants this… but I’m not sure the market will allow it.”

That gap is where things usually get uncomfortable.

Over the years, I’ve learned that my real role isn’t to push ambition or defend the market. 

It’s to sit calmly in the middle and make sure neither side loses trust in the process.

Clients don’t mind hearing no.
They mind being surprised later.

Advisors don’t mind slowing down.
They mind having to explain things after the fact.

When expectations and reality are aligned early, decisions age well.

They make sense today, and they’re still easy to stand by years later.

That’s the kind of outcome I care about.

Reposting because this one made me smile (and reminded me how many hills I’ve suffered on 😂).

Proof that some of the best professional relationships don’t start in boardrooms — they start in lycra, bad weather, and long conversations halfway up a climb.

Really grateful for the friendship, the miles, the laughs, and the trust that came long before any “business chat” ever did. 🚴‍♂️🤝

Some of the strongest professional relationships start nowhere near an office. 

Mine with Iftikhar Ahmed started on a bike.

We got to know each other through riding for Mearns Cycling Club, where Iftikhar is the club captain, and spending long hours together on the roads. 

What followed was cycling trips overseas, plenty of shared miles, conversations, challenges and laughs.

Over time, that shared passion for cycling and property turned into a genuine friendship. Anyone who cycles knows it has a way of breaking down barriers quickly, you learn a lot about people when you’re suffering on hills together!

At the time, there was no thought of business. But that foundation of trust, respect and shared values eventually made it natural for our paths to cross professionally.

Photo credit: Akbar Mufti 📸

Most of the work I do never shows up in a headline or a listing.

It happens in quiet conversations, usually when someone says,
“I need to get this right.”

At this level, the pressure isn’t about finding something quickly.

It’s about knowing that one wrong move can change how a client looks at you forever.

That’s why I’ve learned to value judgement over speed, and discretion over visibility.

The people I work with aren’t chasing opportunities.

They’re protecting relationships.

And when trust is the real currency, how you move matters just as much as what you deliver.

If you’ve ever felt that weight, you’ll understand exactly why this process exists.

UAE Business Structuring | Corporate Banking Advisory | Regulatory & Compliance Specialist | 1,500+ Businesses Established | 15+ Years UAE Banking Experience

Establishing a company in the UAE is straightforward.
Establishing one that is bankable, compliant, and operational at scale is not.

For over 15 years, I have worked within the UAE banking ecosystem, advising entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate groups on business structuring, regulatory alignment, and corporate banking approvals—the areas where most otherwise-viable ventures face delays, rejections, or long-term risk.

I work with international entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and CEOs who require more than a trade license. My focus is ensuring that every entity is structured to meet banking, AML, and compliance expectations from day one, allowing clients to operate confidently and scale without friction.

Professional Focus
● UAE Mainland & Free Zone company structuring
● Corporate & investment-grade bank account approvals
● AML, KYC, and regulatory compliance alignment
● Freelance, Investor & Golden Visa pathways
● Offshore structures for asset protection and cross-border operations


Track Record
● 1,500+ businesses successfully established across the UAE
● Corporate bank accounts approved within days, not months, including complex profiles
● Advisory experience across trading, consulting, fintech, e-commerce, real estate, and holding structures
● Trusted by founders operating across Europe, the UK, Asia, and the Middle East

What Sets My Work Apart
I do not offer “packages.”
I design structures that banks approve, regulators accept, and businesses can grow on.

My background inside UAE banking allows me to:
● Anticipate compliance objections before they arise
● Structure applications aligned with internal bank risk frameworks
● Reduce rejection rates, frozen files, and post-setup compliance exposure

The outcome is not just incorporation—it is operational readiness, regulatory confidence, and long-term sustainability.

If you are:
● Launching a UAE entity with serious capital or growth plans
● Facing repeated banking rejections or compliance delays
● Restructuring an existing setup for better banking and tax efficiency

I welcome a discreet, strategic discussion.
📩 Direct Message: “SETUP”
 🌐 www.hersconsultancy.com

Khushnuma Naqvi

He took my money and stopped replying to WhatsApp.📱🚫

I hate our industry sometimes.
I met a lady yesterday who paid AED 15,000 to an "Instagram Consultant" in December.

She got her license.
But now, she needs her Company Stamp and her Immigration Card to apply for her visa.
The consultant? Gone. Number disconnected.

She has a license, but she is legally stuck. She can’t hire, she can’t travel, she can’t open a bank account.

We had to do a "Takeover Request" with the Free Zone to legally remove the old agent so I could access her portal.
It cost her extra money and 2 weeks of stress.

My promise to you:
I am not here for the "Setup Fee."
I am here for the renewal in 12 months.
If I don't answer your call, I don't deserve your business.

Stuck with an unresponsive agent? I can take over your file legally. DM me "Rescue".

Khushnuma Zehra Naqvi

UAE Business Structuring & Corporate Banking Advisor | 15+ Years UAE Banking Experience | 1,500+ Companies Established | Regulatory & AML Expertise

You don't need AED 2 Million in cash to get the Golden Visa. 

I met a couple yesterday who were saving up to buy a property cash.
They thought: "We can't get the 10-Year Visa until we pay off the full amount."

This is a myth.

The rules have evolved.
As long as the Property Value is AED 2 Million+ on the title deed, you can qualify even if it is mortgaged.

You don't need to wait until you pay off the bank.
You just need a letter from the bank showing the value and the amount paid so far.

This couple was living on 2-year renewable visas, stressed about expiry dates.
They were sitting on a Golden Ticket (their house) and didn't even know it.

Stop renting your residency.
If you own a home, you likely own your freedom.

Do you own a property worth AED 2M? DM me today and get your Golden Visa!

"Where is the PRO? Where is the Manager?"
They looked at me. Then they looked behind me. 👩‍💼

When I started as a Business Consultant in Dubai, I was often the only woman in the Typing Center.
I was the only woman in the queue at the Immigration Office.

This industry (Government Liaison, Setup, Legal) has traditionally been a "Man's World."
I faced the hurdles:

The subtle doubts: "Can she handle the tough negotiations?"
The dismissive comments: "Let me speak to your boss."
The societal pressure: "Is this environment right for you?"

For a while, I let it shrink me. I tried to act "tough."

But then I realized something powerful in 2026:
The details matter more than the volume of your voice.

While the men were shouting to get things done, I was reading the fine print.
While they were using "connections," I was mastering the new Compliance Laws.

Today, my gender isn't a hurdle. It’s my superpower.
My female clients trust me because I understand that for a woman, a business isn't just money.
It’s Independence. It’s Safety. It’s Voice.

To every woman sitting on a business idea in Dubai, scared to enter the arena:
We are building a new table. pull up a chair.

I am dedicating 5 slots this month specifically to help female founders launch their dream.
Ladies, DM me "Power" and let’s get you licensed.

Do I really need to give 51% of my company to a stranger? 🚫

It is 2026, and I am still getting this question.

Let me be crystal clear:
The days of the mandatory "Local Sponsor" (where you had to give 51% ownership to a UAE National) are largely behind us.

For 95% of commercial and professional activities, Foreigners can now own 100% of their Mainland license.

You do not need a "sleeping partner."
You do not need to sign risky side agreements.
You do not need to split your dividends.

Whether you are opening a marketing agency, a consultancy, or a tech firm, the license belongs to you.

If a consultant tells you otherwise in 2026, they are either outdated or trying to sell you a more expensive service than you need.

Your Free Zone license is holding you back.

I did a consultation with a successful E-commerce founder.
He sells fitness gear.
He is set up in a Northern Emirates Free Zone because it was "Cheaper."

But now he wants to:
1. List his products in retail stores (Carrefour, Spinneys).
2. Rent a warehouse in Al Quoz for faster delivery.

Problem: His Free Zone license legally restricts him from trading directly on the Mainland.
He has to hire a "Distributor" (Middleman) who takes 15% of his margin.

To save AED 5,000 on the license, he is losing AED 50,000 a year in distributor fees.

I told him: "Switch to Mainland."

100% Foreign Ownership.
No Middlemen.
Better Banking.

Don't step over dollars to pick up pennies.
The Mainland is where the real market is.

Are you stuck in a Free Zone that limits your growth?
Let’s calculate the cost of switching to Mainland. It’s cheaper than you think.

He thought the "Emiratisation" email was spam.
It cost him AED 96,000. 

In January 2026, the fines for small businesses (20-49 employees) kicked in.
If you didn't hire 1 Emirati in 2024 and another in 2025, the system automatically issued fines.

My client owns a logistics company. He has 25 staff.
He ignored the notifications. He thought: "I'm too small. They are looking for the big corporations."

He went to renew his trade license this week. Blocked.
He had to pay the fine upfront to unlock his company.

AED 96,000 is not a small amount. That is the salary of two employees.

The Lesson:
In the UAE, the laws apply to everyone.
The "Grace Period" is over.
If you have more than 20 staff, check your portal today.

The numbers for the "2025 Millionaire Migration" are finally official, and they are shocking.

According to the latest wealth reports, over 16,500 high net worth individuals left the UK last year.
Where did the majority go?
Dubai.

I sat with a British founder this morning. He moved his marketing firm here in December.
I asked him: "Was it just the weather?"

He laughed and showed me his math on a napkin:

In the UK (2026):

Corporate Tax: Up to 25%
Dividend Tax: Up to 39.35%
Capital Gains: 20-24%
The Result: He was working January to June just to pay the government.

In Dubai (2026):

Corporate Tax: 9% (Only on profit above AED 375k)
Personal Income Tax: 0%
Capital Gains: 0%
The Result: He keeps what he builds.

But he told me the real reason wasn't just the money.
"In London, I pay 45% tax and I can't get a GP appointment. In Dubai, I pay 9% and I get an MRI in 2 hours."

It’s not just about "Tax Avoidance." It’s about Value for Money.

Are you tired of working for the tax man?
I help UK businesses relocate to Dubai seamlessly.
DM me "Relocate" and let’s look at your numbers. ✈️

The AED 400 mistake that costs AED 20,000 in fines. 📉

We are seeing a massive wave of fines this month related to ILOE (Involuntary Loss of Employment) Insurance.

For a long time, people thought: "Oh, the employee has to pay that."
Technically, yes.
But as the Business Owner, if your staff aren't registered, you are the one dealing with the blocked labor quota.

In 2026, the Ministry systems are fully linked.
If Employee #4 hasn't paid their AED 5/month insurance...
You cannot issue a visa for Employee #5.

Your entire hiring pipeline freezes over AED 5.

Stop treating compliance as an "HR problem." It is a "Founder problem."
Check your portal today. Green is good. Red is expensive.

Thinking of moving to Dubai to pay zero tax? Think again.

It sounds simple online: “No income tax. No capital gains. No crypto tax.” But reality isn’t that Instagram perfect.

Here’s what most guides don’t tell you:

1. Residency matters. You don’t just arrive and become tax-free. You need proper tax residency.

2. Company setup can backfire. Opening a business without planning can block banking and even create tax issues elsewhere.

3. Property ≠ magic. Buying real estate doesn’t automatically make you tax-exempt.

4. Structures are key. One wrong step and you’re still liable elsewhere, and it can get expensive fast.

Dubai is amazing, but only when you plan it right.

If you’re thinking of relocating, invest 5 minutes now to get clarity before confusion costs you.

No pitch. No hype. Just facts.

You can launch a UAE company in 2 days.
But touch your money? That can take 2 months.

Surprising?
Welcome to the real UAE setup journey.

Here’s the truth most founders only discover after incorporation 👇

🚀 Speed is not the problem. Bankability is.

UAE company formation is efficient by design.
Banking, however, plays by a completely different rulebook.

Banks don’t care how fast you incorporated.
They care about risk, clarity, and control.

⏳ Why bank accounts slow down

Delays usually appear when the structure raises questions, such as:

• Shared or flexi-desk offices
• Virtual addresses with no real substance
• Corporate or layered shareholding
• Unclear or indirect UBOs
• Activities that don’t fully align with the licence

Each of these triggers deeper compliance checks.

🔍 Structures that get extra scrutiny

Expect more questions (and time) if you’re dealing with:

• ADGM / DIFC holding companies or SPVs
• Shareholders connected to high-risk jurisdictions
• Businesses flagged as “high-risk” by bank AML models
• Group structures with unclear decision-making control
• Non-operational or offshore-style UAE entities

None of these are impossible, just slower if done upfront.

🧭 The smarter way to do it

There is a more efficient path:

Step 1: Keep it clean
• Single, visible UBO
• Straightforward business activity
• Physical office where possible

Open the bank account first.

Step 2: Build complexity later
Once banking is active and stable, banks are far more open to:
• Adding holding layers
• Expanding group structures
• Adjusting shareholding

🏦 Use digital banks tactically

For early-stage operations:
• Wio
• Mashreq NEO
• RAKBANK Starter

They’re practical for getting started.

👉 For higher volumes or complex operations, traditional banks still matter.

In the UAE, incorporation speed means nothing without bankability.

Banking approval is earned through:
structure + substance + transparency, not urgency.
Plan it right at the start, and you avoid months of frustration later.

taplio

The Battle

Iftikhar Ahmed

Khushnuma Naqvi

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Performance ScoreKhushnuma Naqvi's LinkedIn Performance

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The Battle

Iftikhar Ahmed

Khushnuma Naqvi

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Iftikhar Ahmed's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreIftikhar Ahmed's LinkedIn Performance