meet the team
who we are
The business is run by an experienced team that includes a property entrepreneur, a fundraising and businesses development specialist and an experienced construction manager ensuring quality, cost-effective renovation.
The team also includes a real estate professional with proven skills in property documentation, planning, zoning and sales; a specialist, government-registered tax and accountancy service; a legal service with specific expertise in the property sector; a legal advisor on property purchase documentation, and an expert in online property sales.
Paul Rees, Director
The rural property business and operational structure has been developed by Paul Rees who currently oversees field operations, supports the construction manager and is the key decision maker for property selection, based on his knowledge of area, renovation costs and sales potential.
Paul’s passion for rural Portugal’s property remains the driving force behind this business. His wide network of contacts in this sector and his notable negotiating skills combine with a flair for design and a 20-year background in the building and renovation processes in Portugal.
With a degree in marketing and two decades in business development and fundraising in the UK, Paul moved to Portugal in 2002 and successfully has invested in media and property projects, including new-build and renovations. Paul co-founded this rural property business in 2019.
Gelu Timis
Gelu Timis is a rural property construction and renovation specialist with decades of experience in multiple projects across Portugal’s central region. Gelu’s insight into local construction regulation, eco-efficient systems, materials selection and property presentation is invaluable for accurate budgeting, cost control and inspired property redesign and renovation. Gelu manages the construction teams and selects specialist sub-contractors.
Kate MacGowan
When presented with the outline for a rural property business and a request for strategic and marketing advice, Kate saw the market potential and invested in the business as a shareholder from the seed funding stage onwards and remains an active co-founder.
As an internationally experienced business developer, Kate provides commercial consultancy and strategic guidance to a range of individuals and organisations, and has set up, managed and sold her own businesses.
Kate oversees the Company’s professional service providers, ensuring compliance in an often complex commercial and regulatory environment.
Richard Mills
Richard Mills is expert in property sales, renovation, property documentation and the analysis of local and national planning regulations.
With a degree in Building Management and a UK background in property development, Richard is highly experienced in project development, building management and cost control.
Richard is overseeing the development of Rural Properties’ property purchase, renovation and sales processes and has long experience in running demanding projects.
As the owner of Azul Properties, an estate agency founded in 2002, Richard’s experience of the Portuguese legal system and the complexities of property documentation are invaluable.
Sue Englefield
Sue Englefield, marketing and website development. Sue is an experienced website administrator skilled in Search Engine Optimisation, Web Design, HTML and Joomla.
An efficient professional with a demonstrated history of creating successful online news blogs and working in the real estate sector.
Advisors
Simon Perks
Simon Perks spent over two decades at Banco Santander Totta in London, focusing on financial solutions for expatriates, leaving as Deputy General Manager to establish Perks Property Finance Solutions. Simon is a Director of Abacus Horizons UK Ltd, Business Banking Solutions Ltd and has been instrumental in the strategic development of the Currencies4you.com business in Portugal.
Simon has a detailed knowledge and experienced view of the Portuguese property and financial markets and is involved in several significant projects and businesses.
Richard Lamberth
Richard Lamberth is a shareholder of RPF Portugal Lda, of the Fine & Country estate agency franchise-holder for the Algarve region, and of Open Media Lda which owns multiple newspaper and magazine titles in Portugal.
Richard has diverse UK investments in insurance and the arts and a wide-ranging business background, especially in the Portuguese property and media markets.
He contributes wisdom and experience to the development of this rural property business.
Amy Kraushaar
Amy Kraushaar, Founder, ExpaCity. Amy set up and runs this online resource which provides expert-based information for those moving and settling-in to Portugal. With a growing, paid-for membership, the business delivers reliable, accurate information, especially favoured by US citizens.
Amy’s extensive network of contacts within Portugal and the international community, added to
her knowledge of how Portugal works for incoming residents are valuable assets to those buying village and countryside homes.
Matthew Nouch and Thomas Molloy
Reabilitejo, a business based in Santarém, advises private and business clients when researching, buying, or restoring older property.
In addition to assessing the physical state of older buildings, the partners analyse and report on their heritage value and significance, identifying the most valuable areas to protect and describing historical uses and functions.
Professional Service Providers
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 and analyses each property project, liaises with the national tax authority and ensures rigorous and timely compliance for investor returns.
Dr. Cristina Vasconcelos Afonso and Ricardo Prelhaz, Prelhaz Advogados
Dr. Cristina Vasconcelos Afonso of Prelhaz Advogados is the Company’s lead lawyer, covering Portuguese contract law, company filing regulations, its shareholder register and investor
registration compliance. Dr Ricardo is a specialist in corporate and investment law, overseeing the Company’s financial compliance.
Edge International Lawyers
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.
Currencies 4 You
Currencies 4 You was established in the UK in 2009 and now has branches throughout Europe. The currency exchange business opened its office in Portugal in 2017, undertaking
international payments and transfers and is well placed to advise Rural Properties and its investors on all aspects of currency transactions.