Discover API

A global business with local expertise

With sales surpassing £1B, our growth journey has been rapid and exciting

At API Global we believe in integrity, transparency and sustainability through the management and development of long-term relationships with our global clients. API like to establish control over developments early to reduce client risk and provide advice to developer and capital partners through all stages of the process

WHO ARE API GLOBAL?

API Global was founded by market professional, Michael Leighton who has over 20 years experience in structuring, marketing, and distributing real estate products both in the UK and overseas. As a fully accredited MRICS (Member Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) professional, Michael has held senior roles with major corporate real estate companies such as CB Richard Ellis (UK & Dubai) and DTZ (Hong Kong).

As the residential asset class in the UK is unregulated, Michael took this opportunity to take a sidestep from commercial property, and establish API Global, focussing on residential investment, with a professional approach and a regulated mindset.

API Global manages an in-house global distribution platform for product providers and real estate developers, acting as a conduit to access hard-to-reach international markets.

We secure and package market-leading property investment solutions for our global partners and end clients looking for exposure to one of the most stable, secure, and popular asset classes in the world – UK Real Estate.

Since our Inception in 2013, API has grown from a single office in Dubai to a truly global operation, comprising 8 strategically located offices, with over 20 in-house staff.

With sales surpassing £1B, our growth journey has been rapid and exciting, resulting in strong relationships being established with some of the best developers in the market.

At API Global, we believe in sharing the risk with our clients, and therefore deploy capital where possible into deals. As a business we are open to Joint ventures, Underwrites, or the traditional master agency model.

Headquartered in London, API Global has seven further strategically located offices in London, Majorca, DubaiHong Kong, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur and Nairobi. We recognise the need to offer our clients physical support locally within key regions.

Meet the Team

Jenna Adams

For the past nine years I worked for Phumelela Gaming and Leisure, a company that manages the dynamic sport of horse racing. I lead the invention and execution of innovative and cutting-edge marketing and brand awareness initiative. Furthermore, I promoted the aspirational lifestyle elements that go hand and hand with the Sport of Kings. I have a passion for my work and a drive to succeed. I am blessed to have a beautiful daughter, Chloe, who gives me an added reason to achieve. My interest in property and property development has naturally lead me into the offshore property space.

Shelly Wilson

As an ambitious, self-starter I have been directly involved in three start-up companies to date with my most notable achievements obtained during my employ with Retail Capital where I was uniquely positioned to help facilitate the growth of the company; seeing the business reach breakeven status within three years.

During my travels, I also gained relevant knowledge of the UK market(s), working within Morgan Stanley Investment Bank, Dresdner and the London Stock Exchange respectively.
With a thorough understanding of offshore markets, Shelly specialises in advising clients on investing in overseas property. Shelly goes above and beyond in matching clients with their investments, and hand-holding them through the journey.

Ken Asikwo

Engr. Ken is a Chemical Engineer with great love for Sales. He ventured into real estate and hotel investment industries in Dubai and got certified by Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency as a Real Estate Broker. He worked with Reputable companies in Dubai for 10yrs and in Kenya for 4yrs.

He has a great knowledge of working with overseas investors and International Real Estate markets. He specializes on selling both off plan and ready projects and super conversant in dealing with Africans seeking to invest overseas.

Kathy Leung

Kathy has spent the last few years working for one of UK’s premier letting and estate agents in Canary Wharf, London. She is intimately experienced with letting and property management for London market. She is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English which has helped her to establish an excellent clients relationship, and build the rapport with native and non native Chinese speakers clients. Based in API’s Hong Kong office, Kathy is one of the key members to expand the UK property investors market in Asia.

Sarah Hare

Sarah graduated with a Masters Degree in Geology from the University of Leicester and worked offshore on oil rigs before changing careers to property. She has worked for various estate agencies and developers since 2015 and has now made the move to specialise in Sales Progression. Sarah joined API in July 2020 and manages sales for the UK and Europe.

Jerna Deunas

Jerna Love occupies the role of Dubai Operations Manager. She is tasked with overseeing sales progression, client liaison, regional after sales and any other operational tasks for the UAE business. Jerna previously worked with a reputed real estate company in the Dubai for over 6 years where she obtained her Real Estate Certificate and became a fully qualified leasing agent. She joined API Global with a fantastic understanding of the investment property world, which is reflected daily through her approach to business and level of professionalism and confidence.

Sion Bennett

Having been a professional rugby player since the age of 16, Sion has represented his country, Wales, on the HSBC World Series sevens circuit. As a keen property investor himself Sion is now building upon his experience by helping the Hong Kong office expand its network and reach new heights.

Tim Ada

Tim has been working in the investment sector for the past few years and is well versed in handling international clients and their needs. His family background is in property development and he has been involved in all stages of the property investment cycle. Most recently, he worked for Birmingham’s biggest developer and knows UK growth cities and their investment case very well. He was raised and educated in Birmingham and offers a unique insight into one of the UK’s best performing regions.

Based in our Hong Kong offices, Tim is a key member leading our expansion in the region and covers our clients and key partners in APAC.

Andrew Davies

Andrew, has extensive experience building and managing international Wealth Management operations across the Middle East and Asia. Andrew, enjoyed working with high net worth clients advising on sophisticated international tax efficient investment strategies. As well as managing a large international team of advisors. After 10 successful years living in Abu Dhabi. Andrew, has returned to London to join API Global as Business Development Director to focus on his most passionate asset class, UK investment property. Andrew, will be working with IFA’s globally to support and train advisers on the excellent investment opportunities for overseas investors in the UK’s major cities.

Frank Cartwright

Frank graduated from the University of Liverpool with an International Economics degree. Subsequently, he has spent the last 5 years in the Middle East, China and Europe helping investors access high performing real estate. As a Northern guy, Frank grew up in the areas API focus on and as a result, provides an in depth knowledge of the local area which is underpinned by a wider economic understanding.

Frank now represents API in our new office in Hong Kong.

David Hart

Dave has been in the real estate industry for well over 15 years and has a great knowledge of working with overseas investors and the international real estate market. He started his career in Dubai selling off plan properties and occupied a Director of Sales role for 5 years at a market leading company.

Dave joined API Global and made the move back to the UK to support in building the UK business. Dave is head of Business Development at API Global and is tasked with managing our largest network partners and expanding API’s reach into emerging markets.

Dane Hilton

Dane enjoys 11 years in the property investment and development industry in Europe, Middle East and Africa, working on prestigious developments such as the multi award winning Zeits Mocca & Silo Hotel, Cape Town. Dane comes with a real estate, construction and development pedigree, having previously worked for Jones Lang LaSalle and Mace. Dane is a natural property professional and holds a BSc in Property Studies from UCT and a MSc in Real Estate Management and Development from Heriot Watt University. His pragmatic approach to business, combined with his diverse understanding of the industry allows API Global to develop quickly and efficiently in Africa. Dane was born and bred in Cape Town and is in charge of the API Global Africa business.

Tony Jordan

Before relocating to Dubai in 2005 I enjoyed an extremely successful 10-year career as the UK Sales Manager for one of the world’s leading sports brands based in California.

In 2005 I moved to Dubai in order to establish a Real Estate brokerage and development company.

We very successfully brokered and invested in the local property market building key relationships with sales teams and investors around the World, in particular in the Far East. When the local market came under pressure around 2009, we leveraged these relationships into successful student accommodation developments in the UK selling over 200 units to non-UK buyers.

In order to take full advantage of the overseas buyers’ market opportunity I decided to merge my sales team into a much larger organisation in Dubai. From 2012 to 2016 we grew the Middle East business alone from USD$12m to over USD$100m before the business was sold to a Far Eastern investor in 2017.

In 2019 I joined API Global as Regional account Director for a fresh challenge after gaining 12 years’ experience in International investment property, I am currently based in Dubai and working with our partners to grow our sales and brand in the Middle East.

Lewis Finn

Lewis has spent the last 10 years in B2B distribution, eight of which have been in the Middle East. Previously specialising in offshore investments and insurance options with global companies, Lewis has a built a strong distribution network, which has consistently achieved results.

Ross Gardiner

Ross has enjoyed a long and successful career in real estate as an Agent, Manager, Director and Chairman. Having worked in London and Australia, Ross relocated to Dubai in 2006. His experience and passion in the UAE real estate market earned him the role as CEO of Lannhill Real Estate in 2008. Ross built Lanhill into a sizeable and market leading entity, with over 60 employees producing consistent revenue & profits. Ross subsequently structured a strategic group merger in 2017 to form One Broker Group, the largest Real Estate Sales & Leasing agency in the Middle East, which he later sold to the shareholders in 2018. He has 20 years of experience in the global property market space and a vast network of trusted and reliable contact spanning all aspects of the industry including planning, acquisition, funding, marketing, distribution, legal, due diligence & appraisals, sales and Management. Ross’ view has always remained the same, with honesty, an eye for detail and a dedication to deliver outstanding values. Ross relocated back to London with his wife and 2 children to take on the role of Sales Director for API Global.

Michael Leighton

Michael is founder and Managing Director of API Global. He has over 15 years’ experience in structuring, marketing and distributing real estate products both in the UK and overseas. As a fully accredited MRICS professional Michael spent over 10 years in the corporate sector occupying senior international roles at major blue chip companies such as DTZ and more recently CB Richard Ellis. Living and working in key global financial markets has provided Michael with an in depth understanding of multiple investment landscapes and enabled him to build a prolific distribution network and sustainable client base. Michael always harboured a passion for investment property before eventually making the ambitious decision to leave the corporate world and create API Global. The company has gone from strength to strength ever since.

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We work with a pool of trusted partners; Wealth Managers, Financial Advisors, and Agents giving their clients access to best-in-class residential property investment.

We are always on the lookout to add to our network, if you would like to work with us, please get in touch.

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