My road to a Uk property portofolio

My name is Gert Driesen — a Dutch entrepreneur, property investor, and graduate of the Master of Real Estate at TIAS Business School.

For over 20 years, I ran a successful supermarket franchise in the Netherlands — a world where precision, structure, and hands-on problem-solving are essential. But like many entrepreneurs, I wanted more control over my financial future. I didn’t want to rely on passive pension funds — I wanted something tangible.

In 2020, I discovered the UK property market during a trip organised by the Grand Property Experience. What struck me immediately was how professional and systemised the UK approach was. Letting agents, sourcing agents, mortgage brokers — all working together like a well-oiled machine. And the best part? It was designed to function remotely, which suited my life as a busy business owner.

I invited a small group of Dutch investors to explore the UK with me — specifically Wales, due to its low entry prices. But when it came time to move forward, the others hesitated. I didn’t. I set up a UK Ltd company and bought my first property on 17 Club Row Street.

That first deal was… educational.

My sourcing agent disappeared after the purchase. The replacement offered deals with weak returns. During COVID, I rushed into new projects without proper due diligence. One went well. Another was decent. But one collapsed into chaos — mostly due to cultural misalignment with the contractor. In the Netherlands, I’m used to tight project management and clear contracts. In the UK, I encountered builders who were more independent, less transparent, and didn’t expect to be ‘managed’ at all. I even had to replace one mid-build.

So I paused. And I regrouped.

The turning point came at a PIN networking event in Amsterdam. I met people who reignited my confidence. I joined Mastermind 37, a UK-based property programme with on-the-ground coaching. And I wrote my Master’s thesis on cultural differences between Dutch investors and UK professionals — finally putting words to the unspoken frictions I’d felt.

Today, I invest under the name Gert Driesen Portfolio Solutions, with a focus on high-end HMO conversions in regions like the North West, Yorkshire, the West Midlands, and the South East. I combine practical experience with academic insight — and I now help other international investors avoid the cultural pitfalls I once walked into.