In this episode of The Executive Edge (198), I sit down with Ugo Arinzeh, Managing Director of Onyx Property Consultants, who shares her remarkable journey. With a fascinating background that spans three continents, Ugo’s story begins in Nigeria, continues through her upbringing in New Jersey, and flourishes in London, where she has established herself as a prominent figure in property consulting.
Armed with an MBA, she spent over a decade at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she honed her skills in structuring and negotiating real estate transactions.
Her journey then took an exciting turn when she moved to London to serve as the Chief Financial Officer for an international architectural firm.
She fell in love with the city and, after a period of time, decided to branch out into business for herself.
In 2012, Ugo founded Onyx Property Consultants as she strove to bring an innovative approach to the UK market. Drawing from her diverse background in banking, passion for interior design, and firsthand experience with international relocations, she introduced the concept of dedicated buyer’s representation —a standard practice in the United States but relatively uncommon in the UK. This unique positioning allowed her to address the specific challenges faced by international buyers navigating the complex London property market.
Throughout the episode, Ugo shares invaluable insights into the entrepreneurial mindset required for success. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining the right daily mindset and persevering through challenges. Her approach to property consulting goes beyond traditional boundaries — it’s not just about understanding market dynamics or financial considerations. Ugo invests significant time in nurturing contacts and building a robust network, recognizing that property decisions profoundly impact people’s lives.
For Ugo, property consulting is about more than just bricks and mortar or financial transactions. She sees her role as helping people write the next exciting chapter of their stories, ensuring they make the right moves and find the perfect places to call home. This philosophy has been central to her success and has helped countless clients achieve their property goals in London.
Listeners interested in learning more about London’s property market can follow Ugo’s YouTube channel, where she regularly shares insights about buying, renting, and living in London.
Her passion for the city shines through in her content, as she seemingly works tirelessly to ensure others can have positive experiences in what she considers a fantastic place to live.
Connect with Ugo Arinzeh:
- Youtube
- Onyx Property Team
- Linktree – with stacks of great links to property and London life
