Licensing of residential property – increased use of additional licensing for houses in multiple occupation (“HMOs”) and selective licensing for non-HMOs

In the summer of 2021 I left a 17-year career as an in-house solicitor and took the plunge into setting up my own investments practice at law firm gunnercooke. In the lead up to that decision I had the best 4-year stint heading up the legal function for a not-for-profit local government pension scheme asset manager. When the role came to a natural cross-roads, I felt positively inspired to work with small businesses whose commercial objectives were underpinned by a tangible, socially beneficial purpose. I feel very lucky to have stumbled upon CurveBlock, and to be able to continue working closely with its founders to help make their dream – and that of so many others – into reality. The launch of CurveBlock’s Net Zero Fund for sophisticated investor is only the start of a series of ventures that are dedicated to offering individuals and communities a common sense alternative to the traditional brick-and-mortar, low energy efficiency, big bank financed property purchase model. Being part of the advent of Carbon-neutral homes and holiday lodges that literally hand back power to the people could not be more exciting!

Paul has worked for – and with – banks, wealth management and fintech companies throughout Europe and the Middle East including Bank Muscat, BNP Paribas, Cheltenham & Gloucester (C&G), Deutsche Bank AG, Hargreaves Lansdown, Leeds Permanent Building Society, Lloyds Banking Group, Midland Bank, HSBC Global, Northern Rock Bank, Riyad Bank, and, TD Bank.

For 20 years, Paul has run a business development consultancy practice while teaching and coaching. He has an unwavering focus on product and service innovation to maximize the customer experience.

He specialises in strategic management, all aspects of digital innovation, leadership, optimising digital sales & marketing strategies, product management and proposition development. He is also co-founder of 2 FinTech companies, one dedicated to the use of cloud technology and the other helps FS companies deploy new technology and innovation – particularly low-code development platforms.

Paul published his first book ‘Next Generation Finance’ in 2011. He attended Aston University where he read Business Management and he has an MBA from the University of Bradford School of Management. He is a graduate, Fellow and Associate Director of The London Institute of Banking and Finance. He is a Chartered Marketer, a graduate and Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing.