Since 1967 KALMARs is proud to have played a significant part of the transformation of London into a truly global city. The experience and understanding of the real estate markets has been passed down through the years to provide our team of consultants with a unique knowledge of that market.
With an average time for staff at the company being almost eleven years, KALMARs has amassed a pool of talent combining both experience and enthusiasm. All staff, with ages ranging from 18 to 60, are highly trained to achieve the best results for our clients.
Sebastian Kalmar
Managing Director
With a 16-year tenure at KALMARS, Sebastian has progressed from a pivotal role in creating the residential sales team to spearheading the firm's thriving land and development division. His journey has been marked by a consistent focus on delivering exceptional results for clients through his knowledge of the area, contacts and awareness of demand across different use typologies. The transactions that we have been involved in have been instrumental in shaping the South London development landscape.
A preeminent figure in South London development, Sebastian has overseen land transactions exceeding £100 million in the past five years, encompassing a diverse portfolio of residential, PBSA, and coliving projects. His deep-rooted connections with local authorities and housing associations, coupled with his teams astute commercial acumen, have been instrumental in the success of numerous high-profile schemes.
A dedicated community advocate, Sebastian serves as a trustee of the Bankside Open Spaces Trust. His academic background, including a BSc Hons in Estate Management from Greenwich University and further studies at Cass Business School and LSBU, provides a strong foundation for his strategic leadership.
Sebastian’s unparalleled knowledge of the South London market, combined with his proven ability to navigate complex development challenges, make him an invaluable asset to clients and colleagues alike. If you have property matters South of the river it is always something he is passionate to help with.
Richard Kalmar
Executive Director
Joining his father at KALMARs in 1977, Richard worked in both industrial and office agency, which he has continued to practice ever since, with a particular emphasis on development work. Other activities have included; Chairing the local Chamber of Commerce; organising SLICA (South London Industrial and Commercial Agents); he has been a director of Southwark Environment Agency; active in local school's Parent Teacher Assoc.; Vice Chairman of Friends of the Parks; a founder of the education and business alliance; and a long term member of the Industrial Agents Society, and office agents society. Richard is a Freeman of the City of London and honorary member of the Chartered Surveyors Livery Company. Richard has three grown children, his second son being in the business. His interests include gardening, cooking, wine, speaking French, reading, music, mycology, windsurfing, canoeing and cycling.
Adrian Gurney
Director Office Department
Adrian is qualified in Estate Management and first worked in central London in a General Practice Surveying Firm. He joined KALMARs in June 2003 and is now Director of the Office Agency department. He is dedicated to his job and has in-depth market knowledge of the area. Under his management the office department has achieved the CoStar award for the highest number of disposals and instructions for the past 4 years on the Southbank. Adrian’s hobbies and interests include sailing, tennis, golf and climbing.
Donald Walsh
Director
Donald qualified in Estate Management and after working in North London specialising in Property Management, joined KALMARs in April 1999, where he initially specialized in Office Agency and then moved into Development Agency. He now specializes in residential work.
Mickola Wilson
Non-Executive Director
Mickola worked for Guardian Royal Exchange for over 20 years, as a property fund and development manager, for the last 5 years she was MD of the Property Fund Management division with circa £1bn funds under management and responsibility for the Group occupied estate. In 2000 Mickola joined MWB as head of the Fund Management division with £600m funds under management focused on the leisure and retail sectors. In 2002, Mickola joined Teesland plc as CEO to a newly formed property fund management company listed on the London stock exchange, with a cap value of circa £20m and £250m of funds under management, during the following 5 years the company grew to a cap value of the order of £200m, with over £4bn of funds under management across UK, Western and Central Europe. The funds are serviced by local offices in 9 countries with over 250 staff within the group. KALMARs are very fortunate to have Mickola as a non-executive director with all the experience and contacts she brings.
Joel Dela Cruz
Director
Joel joined the team in 2013 bringing with him enthusiasm and energy complementing the experience to the KALMARs team. He has started in both the residential and commercial teams but is now focussing his efforts on our Office Department. Having graduated with a Masters in Commercial Property at the University of Sheffield following on from being awarded a BSc in Estate Management in 2012 from Greenwich University, he is fully up to date with all modern valuation and surveying practices. Outside of the office Joel enjoys competitive gaming, paint balling, cooking, music and film production.
Piers Hanifan
Director
Having graduated from The University of Westminster, obtaining a degree in Business and Property, Piers joined KALMARs Commercial Department; his detailed knowledge of South London, youth and drive complement the long established commercial team. He is covering industrial, shops and decentralised offices. Outside of the office Piers’ hobbies and interests include football, golf, music concerts and running his own Music and Lifestyle Blog.
Elaine Barker
Office Administrator/Financial Controller
Elaine has great property experience having joined KALMARs in 1993, then working as a PA to Michael Kalmar FRICS. She now manages the office, drawing on her extensive grounding and company loyalty to ensure that the best systems and supplies are utilised. Hobbies include: Badminton, watching films, walking her dogs.
Farah Mohamed
Farah graduated from Bath University with a degree in political science. He has brought his people skills, driven energy, and local knowledge to the retail and decentralized office and industrial team at KALMARs. Outside of the office, Farah is a great lover of travelling, music, sports and cooking.
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Raj Tanna
Head of Residential Sales and Lettings
With the experience of a 34 year career within South East London as an estate agent, Raj joins KALMARs to take up the position of Head of Residential Sales and Lettings. Throughout his time working in the industry he has developed great knowledge and insight into the residential sales and lettings market, with a particular love for working in and around SE1, having witnessed the major transformation of the area since the 1980’s. It’s this experience and passion for the area which makes Raj the right person to deal with any residential queries clients and applicants have. In his spare time, he enjoys himself spending time with family and watching his beloved Arsenal Football Club.
Pierre Jackman
Residential Consultant