In Mind Your Business, we speak with business leaders and thinkers who inspire their respective companies and industries. Here, we feature Matthew Burgess, director APAC of Regal London
Even for experienced investors, buying property overseas can be complex. In established markets like London, the abundance of glossy new developments can make decision-making difficult—especially when layered with broader concerns like political stability, economic cycles, and shifting interest rates. These factors, while not always visible in a brochure, often determine whether a property performs well over time.
Which is why having someone who understands both the local market and the mindset of the overseas buyer can make a difference. Matthew Burgess, Director APAC at Regal London, has spent the last decade working with clients across Singapore, Hong Kong, and the wider region, advising them on where real value lies—and where it doesn’t.
We speak to Burgess as he offers a grounded view of what’s happening in the London market, what buyers from Asia are really looking for, and how long-term trust is slowly reshaping how property is sold.
What’s the current appetite for London property like in the region?
It is growing. We’re coming out of what’s been a tough couple of years, pretty much since the end of 2022, when interest rates started rising. We basically lost a huge chunk of the market for London properties. We’re still struggling with that market in Hong Kong, but in Singapore, it’s really, really picking up.
What was the root of that slowdown?
It was predominantly around interest rates. But also, stability is the key. There was a period of political instability where we had three Prime Ministers in a short space.
If you look back over the last 50 years, the times when property prices in the UK have done well were during long periods of political stability. That’s when average prices tripled. However, we had an election last year with an overwhelming majority. Whether you like the government or not doesn’t really matter—it’s about stability.
What are buyers in Singapore looking for when it comes to London property?
Singapore buyers know what they want. And they ask more questions now—they’re more informed and more discerning. One thing we’re definitely seeing post-pandemic is a focus on lifestyle and wellness. Co-working spaces, cafés, gyms, communal lounges—that sort of thing, especially in larger developments.
What sets Regal London apart?
We’re a privately owned developer that operates in an integrated model. That means we design, build, and now manage the properties ourselves. We just launched Regal Management, and Fulton & Fifth at Wembley Park will be the first development under that.
So we’re involved from start to finish—planning, construction, sales, and post-completion management. We’re not walking away after the handover.
Can you tell us more about Fulton & Fifth at Wembley Park ?
It’s in one of London’s largest regeneration areas, surrounding Wembley Stadium. Most of the existing buildings in the area are rental-only. So we’re building something you can actually buy into. We’ve gone above and beyond on amenities—coworking, concierge, a swimming pool. That’s rare at the £800 per square foot price point.
The first phase is 98 per cent sold ahead of completion. That tells you everything.
What advice would you give to a first-time buyer from Singapore?
Make sure you’re speaking to someone who actually knows London. If an agent says they can sell you property in London, Vietnam, Dubai, and Australia—how much do they really know?
I’m always happy to sit down and talk through what your goals are. If it’s not right, I’ll tell you. Sometimes the sales pitch is disguised as advice and I think people are waking up to that.
How do you see the future of real estate sales evolving in Asia?
Buyers don’t want pressure. They want advice. It used to be about big hotel exhibitions. But that’s not effective anymore. Now, we focus on one-on-one meetings. In Hong Kong, we’ve moved into a better office and host tax and mortgage seminars in-house.
If I had a venue here in Singapore, I’d do the same because people here are more willing to engage face-to-face. That’s why I come here so often.
