Voices in Property - Anthony Payne

Welcome to our quick-fire spotlight on industry leaders and entrepreneurs in Property.

In this edition, Anthony Payne, CEO at LonRes, shares personal insights and experiences with anyone who may be currently working in or aspiring to join the London property industry.

What are you most proud of in your career?

A combination of taking an idea and with William (Carrington) building LonRes. Together we built a platform for property professionals to do business with one another and made LonRes the number one provider of data and services to the London property world. We're now in our twenty-fifth year. But I'm really proud of our staff too. 

Over the last 25 years we've seen many staff pass through LonRes and watched them go on to achieve great things in their lives. Couples met at LonRes, got married and subsequently had a family together. Meanwhile others started in junior roles in the business and went on to build a career within LonRes; today they help shape its future. We've always had great staff who collectively have contributed so much to the success of LonRes over the years.

First property job and how you got it?

My first job was with a small independent estate agency based in Golders Green called Culwick Lerner in 1984. My aunt saw an advert in a local paper for an office junior and my career in property started. I was 16 at the time. I'm sad to say I was fired after six months but was re-employed three months later. I later joined Gary Hersham at Beauchamp Estates where I worked from 1985 to 1997.

What motivates you?

LonRes is like a child we have nurtured and cared for for 25 years and while it is now a mature business, it still needs to be cared for. The property world is constantly changing and in 2025 it's a far cry from the property world I started off in in 1984. LonRes has had to, and continues to, adapt. My motivation lies in seeing the business and the team continue to thrive in what is a fast-paced, changing environment.

Best advice for preparing for an interview?

Look smart, be honest, say you don’t know when you don’t know and be alert. And don’t forget to do a little research before hand on the company you’re being interviewed by. 

What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

Take more risks, it's easier when you're young and you have less to lose.

Which leader, entrepreneur, founder, or CEO inspires you?

Michael Bloomberg. I find it fascinating that he was fired from Saloman Brothers in 1981 and given a $10m payoff and rather than sailing off into the sunset he bet it all on creating Bloomberg.  Not many would have done that. It's a shame he wasn’t given a chance to be the President of the US in 2020, I think the world would have been a better place.

Your best deal?

Well as you know I don’t sell property anymore and haven’t done so for many years but I do remember selling a substantial house in Belgravia in 1992. It was at the height of the recession, the property market was a disaster zone and a Russian couple walked past the office, came in having seen something in the window and three weeks later bought a house for £3.5m (not the one in the window). We were paid a direct 3% fee. It's worth remembering that a £3.5m house back then is probably £35m today.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

The tightness of my shirts will attest to the fact that I enjoy lots of restaurants, at the moment I like Mountain, Nobel Rot and Bocca di Luppo.

Apple or Android? 

Apple

Find out more about LonRes here and click here to connect with Anthony Payne.

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