Thanks but no thanks Berlin – London’s where our heart lies – Christian Faes

Few would argue the Brexit result hasn’t created uncertainty, or at least prolonged the uncertainty that we saw in the months leading up to the vote. The only certainty at the moment, is uncertainty itself. However, times of uncertainty present new opportunities for those who are sufficiently savvy and brave enough to identify and pursue them.

At LendInvest, we have been offered an “opportunity” of our own following the Brexit vote. Last week, we received an approach from the Berlin Department for Economics, Technology and Research inviting us to move our operations to the city, emphasising its status as an “international, open-minded city”, located “in the heart of the European Union”.

It’s certainly a flattering offer, and it is understandable that they would want LendInvest – we are making real progress in changing the way mortgages work in the UK. It says something about the profile that we have built that Berlin would be keen for us to move there, despite having no presence in nor experience of the German mortgage market.

But we are going nowhere. Irrespective of the result of the referendum, and the UK’s status within the EU, London remains the true FinTech and PropTech capital of Europe – if not, the world. If you want to be at the forefront of these disruptive industries, making lasting changes to the way the finance and property markets operate, then London is the only place to be.

Besides, the fact remains that the fundamentals of the UK’s property market are strong. The demand for homes in the UK continues to significantly outstrip supply. We simply aren’t building enough homes, and while the new government has made encouraging noises on this front, it will take some time to make any meaningful difference to our housing output. All of which means that property will continue to represent a reliable and sought-after asset class for investors.

So it’s thanks, but no thanks, Berlin. There is still a world of opportunity to make the most of here in London.