The Team
The co-founders, based in central Portugal, are dedicated to the development of the business, working with investors, shareholders and analysing exceptional opportunities while purchasing quality assets at low prices, ensuring cost-effective renovation to high standards and selling to national and international buyers.
Paul Rees
Director & Co-Founder
​​​
Co-founder, oversees field operations, directs the construction management team and is the key decision maker for investment property purchases, based on his detailed knowledge of comparable purchase prices, the characteristics of areas within the Central Region, renovation costs and upside sales potential. Paul’s wide network of contacts and notable negotiating skills have been developed over 20-years in the building and renovation sectors in Portugal.​​​​
Kate McGowan
Co-Founder
​
As an internationally experienced business developer, Kate provides commercial consultancy and strategic guidance to Rural Properties in which she is a major investor and co-founder.
Kate oversees the Company’s professional service providers, ensuring compliance in a complex commercial and regulatory environment.
​​​​
Gelu Timis
Construction Specialist
​
Gelu Timis is a rural property construction and renovation specialist with decades of experience in multiple projects in the UK and in Portugal’s inland regions. His insight into local construction regulation, eco-efficient systems, materials selection and property presentation is invaluable for accurate budgeting and cost control. Gelu recruits, trains and manages the construction teams and coordinates specialist sub-contractors.
​​​​
Stuart Michaelis
Project Manager
​
With long project management experience in the UK and now a resident in Portugal, Stuart successfully has delivered many projects from initial enquiry, through to completion in sectors that include energy, water utilities and transport & logistics. Stuart is a hands-on manager, working with on-site teams, assessing progress against timelines, ensuring materials supplies are in place and reporting on any delays or issues.
​​​​
Manuela Maranhão
Administration Manager​
​
Manuela provides administrative services to Rural Properties, ensuring its vendor clients, investors and property buyers receive timely and accurate financial information and progress updates. Fluent in English and Portuguese and fully conversant with current technology, Manuela liaises with many external agencies including local councils, government departments and tourism organisations.
individual lifestyle needs.
​​​​
Rural Properties’ in-house skills include purchase selection and negotiation, analysis of documentation, local planning and zoning laws, effective project management, marketing, social media and property sales.
Much is outsourced to professional service suppliers, including a specialist taxation and accountancy service; dedicated lawyers with specific expertise in the property sector, and a highly respected architectural and design service. A core group of trade suppliers has been tried and tested on the basis of expertise, timely delivery, availability and cost-effectiveness.
Taxlibris Contabilidade e Consultoria Lda​​
Taxlibris Contabilidade e Consultoria Lda in Lisbon, is a highly respected management accountancy practice with a distinguished track record in property-related taxation, management consulting and in steering new companies through fundraising, controlled expansion and possible sale.
Taxlibris holds an in-depth knowledge of the property taxation framework in Portugal and controls each property project, liaises with the national tax authority and ensures rigorous and timely compliance.​​
Dr. Cristina Vasconcelos Afonso and Dra Marta Leonardo of Prelhaz Advogados, cover Portuguese contract law, the company’s filing obligations, its shareholder register and investor registration compliance. Dr Ricardo Prelhaz is a specialist in corporate and investment law, overseeing the Company’s financial compliance.​​
​
​​​​
Edge International Lawyers in Lisbon advised the co-founders during the Company’s startup stage and remains in an advisory capacity. Edge has a history of advising start-ups and structuring new companies to ensure untroubled compliance and expansion.​​