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Our Team

A family owned and run business, Dukelease has a diverse team of in-house specialists driving each stage of every project. Our team possess a wealth of expertise spanning design, planning, development, sales and marketing, property management and finance. We provide strong hands-on leadership so that our project teams work together to focused objectives throughout the life of a project.

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Richard Leslie FRICS

Chief Executive Officer

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Richard is the founder of Dukelease and has over 40 years’ experience in real estate. Previously Head of Retail and Development at Barrington Laurence, Richard went on to co-found Leslie Perkins specialising in retail agency and development before starting Dukelease. With his superb network and excellent relationships with leading property players Richard has a reputation for producing quality developments. His vision and passion for development and unflinching attention to detail have made Dukelease one of the fastest growing and noticeable developers in central London and, more recently, in other parts of the UK.

Contact

richard@dukelease.com

Background

FRICS; Partner, Barrington Laurance; Senior Partner, Leslie Perkins.

Relaxing

Golf, attending major sporting events around the world, entertaining

Spencer Leslie BA(Hons) ACA

Chief Financial Officer

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A qualified chartered accountant, Spencer has built key relationships with some of the UK’s largest banks and high-net-worth equity providers. He plays a key role in the analysis of new acquisitions and his financial prudence has helped Dukelease through the credit crunch and brexit, enabling it to flourish.

Contact

spencer@dukelease.co.uk

Background

Set up Super Cuts Hairdressing chain in 1991, which grew to 85 units before he sold the company in 1999.

Relaxing

Golf, football, films

Ian Williams-Slaven

Development Director

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Ian is an accomplished development project manager, experienced in leading and delivering substantial multi-project development portfolios through the entire construction process – from conception to completion and exit.

Contact

ian@dukelease.com

Background

Halcyon Property, Square Foot Properties.

Relaxing

Training for and competing in Ironman challenges

René Fourie BSc (Hons) Surveying

Head of Sales and Marketing

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René plays a key role in design development of all projects, oversees marketing and sales collateral and deals with all residential and commercial sales and lettings. With a background in property management, she also coordinates managing agent appointments and oversees ongoing management matters with the aftercare team.

Contact

rene@dukelease.com

Background

7 years of property management at Wright & Partners; Legal secretary, Neuhoff & Van Deventer (SA).

Relaxing

Netball, music, gardening

Oliver Brecher BA (Hons - Cantab) Land Economy

Investment Consultant

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Oliver graduated from the University of Cambridge in 2016, following which he spent time as an analyst at Royal Bank of Canada within their European Real Estate Finance division. At Dukelease, Oliver concentrates on acquisitions, working closely with Richard on the sourcing, analysis and evaluation of new deals. 

Contact

oliverb@dukelease.com

Background

University Graduate; Analyst at Royal Bank of Canada.

Relaxing

Travelling, skiing, socialising, golf (albeit rather handicapped…) & Bond movies

Paul Cook DIP ARCH RIBA

Special Advisor

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Paul has worked in the construction industry since 1976 and qualified as a Chartered Architect in 1986. His association with Dukelease dates back to the company's early years during which time he acted as consultant architect from 2001 before joining the company full-time as Projects Director in 2007. Paul was appointed Managing Director of Dukelease in 2014, his focus is to shape the character and content of each project from inception through to delivery.

Contact

paul@dukelease.com

Background

Began in the industry in 1976 and RIBA-qualified in 1987.

Relaxing

Musician, artist

Hunter Gore

Development Manager

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Hunter has global experience in the delivery of large residential and commercial projects from acquisition to completion in London, Vancouver and Brisbane.

Contact

hunter@dukelease.com

Background

AECOM (London), Bold Properties (Vancouver), YSH (Brisbane).

Relaxing

Travel, rugby, Australian Ashes victories

Howard Leslie

Construction Director

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Howard is responsible for ensuring that the final finish on a Dukelease development meets not only his extremely high expectations but also meets our discerning clientele’s vision for their new home.

Contact

howard@dukelease.com

Background

Howard was the Operations Director for the Supercuts Hairdressing Chain from 1991 and helped grow the company to 85 units when it was sold in 1999.

Relaxing

Golf, movies and his beloved Chelsea.

Lynne Hughes

Legal Counsel

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With 15 years experience at West End and City private practices, Lynne advises the business on all property related legal issues covering acquisitions, lender requirements and property management.

Contact

lynne@dukelease.com

Background

Partner, Brechers; Partner, Nicholson Graham & Jones.

Relaxing

Travel, reading, theatre

Jake Chambers BSc (Hons) - Real Estate, Ulster University

Investment Manager

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Jake graduated from the Ulster University in 2020, following which he spent two years in Dubai with Savills as a Surveyor within Valuations & Advisory. At Dukelease, Jake works closely with Richard and Oliver on the sourcing, analysis and evaluation of new deals.

Contact

jake@dukelease.com

Background

University Graduate, Savills Middle East.

Relaxing

Rugby, golf, travelling & socialising

Christine Schembri

Executive Assistant & Office Manger

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An experienced property administrator, Christine looks after the development and construction management teams at Dukelease. 

Contact

christine@dukelease.com

Background

Christine has gained comprehensive experience working in the UK and Italy in a variety of sectors including finance, education and property.

Relaxing

Cooking, family and all things Italian.

Shanel Up

Project Co-ordinator

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With over 10 years’ experience providing high level support within the property sector, Shanel re-joined the Dukelease team in March 2023 as Project Coordinator.

Contact

shanel@dukelease.com

Background

5 years previously at Dukelease Properties – she knows how we roll!.

Relaxing

Country walks, Cooking, Family movie nights

Sue Lyon

Executive Assistant & Project Co-ordinator

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From Canada originally, Sue has been calling London home since 2005.

Contact

sue@dukelease.com

Background

Sue has supported teams in many different sectors, from architecture to project management, and finds the property market in London to be consistently exciting.

Relaxing

Travelling, cooking, and rarely turning down an opportunity for karaoke.