Our ambition

Mission 

Delivering 10,000 homes across the North West in the next 10 years, adding social and economic value to stakeholders.

Vision

Placemaking that works for everyone while delivering projects that leave a powerful legacy.

 

Our values

  • We are passionate and entrepreneurial
  • We are collaborative and considerate, ensuring a win-win result
  • We are resourceful and agile

 

Our purpose

  • Purpose comes before profit. Purpose leads to profit.
  • Our purpose is to deliver schemes that makes a difference, leave a legacy, and generate financial returns for all stakeholders while creating social value. 

From the beginning of Investar’s journey, our vision and goals have helped deliver and support sustainable, long-term socio-economic value for our shareholders.

 

Our model

  • We operate three arms of the business – development, investment and placemaking – all work harmoniously and support each other.

    The Investment sector provides cashflow and de-risks the entire business; We retain a select number of completed projects, across hospitality and residential, which provides an additional income, and acts as a further financial buffer.

    Development is the core and driving force of Investar; providing momentum and profit for further development and investment.

    Placemaking is our passion and vision – a long term strategy that fulfills our purpose of adding social value and leaving a lasting legacy

 

Michael Dong, CEO

Michael Dong is an award-winning property entrepreneur, having featured in multiple publications across the world. Michael founded Investar in 2014, and has since completed the first stage of the growth plan; taking the business from an initial £190K investment to a combined GDV of £205 million.

This organic success is testament to Michael’s strong vision for placemaking, combined with his resourcefulness, driven nature and connections. Michael is also a board-member for a number of placemaking schemes, and  represents overseas listed and private investors on large schemes with combined GDVs of over £1.5 billion.

James Alderson, Development Director

James Alderson is a successful and dynamic property professional with over 30 years’ experience managing major mixed-use, commercial, residential, hotel/ leisure and infrastructure projects as a developer, a consultant and as a contractor.

Examples of schemes are:

  • Liverpool ONE
  • Spinningfields, Manchester
  • Woburn Center Parcs
  • The Beaumont Hotel, London
  • Manchester Smart Motorway
  • Capital Delivery Hub, London Borough of Croydon

James’ delivery philosophy is one of communication, cooperation and full collaboration – to achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Geoff Willis, Investment Director

Geoff is an astute and accomplished Chartered Surveyor and Marketeer, with an undergraduate degree from Reading University combined with extensive public and private sector experience. Geoff has strong project and property development skills, which are well suited to dynamic and challenging business conditions.

His real estate career spans over 20 years in the UK and overseas, which includes 8 years with Manchester City Council, where he was actively involved in some of Manchester’s most exciting placemaking schemes such as Piccadilly Place and New Islington.  Geoff has recently facilitated several significant hotel and residential deals in the North West, which include Liverpool Waters and Wilburn Wharf.