OUR TEAM
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Our Founders
Originally from Hamburg, Germany, George moved to the UK in 1995. For over 20 years, his professional career has revolved around property. From the late 1990s until 2009, GB was the Global Sales Director and later Managing Partner of the Worldwide Property Show, held over 200 times in 13 countries, including the Middle East, Asia, USA, Russia, Europe and South Africa. In that position, George forged many hundreds of direct, personal and friendly contacts with business leaders and top executives in the global property field. His experience has allowed him to gain in-depth insight into the drivers that shape the property markets internationally, and has earned him a reputation of a respected expert who can help real estate companies to enter new markets.
In 2007, George founded Fortune with the aim to help people invest in property safely, profitably and as enjoyably as possible, whether it is their dream holiday home, a "forever" place for the family or for the creation of a retirement nest-egg. As part of the wider expansion of the Fortune Real Estate Group, George spearheaded the drive into Asia as CEO between 2010 and 2013 to build networks of estate agencies and media companies in China. He helped developers from the USA, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom to break successfully into the enormous market potential which was emerging at that time.
For almost 10 years and until recently, George headed the international expansion of the Fine and Country brand from an UK upmarket estate agency to a global leader with 350 offices in 20 countries.
Since 2014 George is the President of the UK Chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, FIABCI. Established in 1949 and represented in 65 countries. FIABCI is the only real estate association to hold NGO special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). George was also the Federation's Global President of the Marketing and Networking Committee, and he is a regular judge at the prestigious annual Prix D'Excellence.
George also serves on the Advisory Board of the International Multi Listing Service, IMLS.
Akhil Backliwal is Co-Founder and Director in Fortune Real Estate Investments Limited. He is also Managing Director of the ITPL India group since the year 2000. Akhil worked with various companies and luxury hotels in Europe, including brands like Hilton and Renaissance, prior to establishing his own company. His qualifications include a Higher Diploma in Hotel, Catering and Tourism Management from IMI, Lucerne, Switzerland; BSc (Hons) in Hotel and Catering Management from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; and various other certificate courses from the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) of USA.
The Backliwal family has been in the business of art and jewellery for over 150 years. With the ITPL India group, Akhil expanded the scope of his family business to include real estate and investment consulting, hospitality management solutions for domestic and international brands, fine jewellery, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals. He is among one of the founder members of Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Delhi NCT and member of Delhi Jewellers Association (DJA) and New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA).
Akhil has been dealing with domestic and international real estate and hospitality brands for over 20 years, including companies such as Hines, Emaar, Damac, Marriot, and IHG as well as domestic brands such as DLF, Taj, Mahindra, and several other leading brands. With extensive experience in sourcing high yielding assets and investment opportunities, Akhil assists clients in real estate asset creation. In partnership with SFC Capital UK he is also facilitating outward investments from India to the UK.
Akhil is on the board of advisors for several international business networking organizations, including Global Chamber of Business Leaders, Georgia-Asia-Africa Chamber of Commerce, and Swiss Federalism.