about us

UPG is a developer, investor and principal contractor established in 2009. Our team has decades of experience in all aspects of real estate investment, development, design, planning, construction and asset management.

Our team has a collective £2bn+ UK and internationally real estate experience across various use classes with a focus on ‘Living’ via traditional and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) including low carbon and tall buildings.

Our mission is to create value for every partnership / project, achieved through decades of real-world experience, enhanced by innovation and technology, and alignment with stakeholder objectives.

Sonny Gowans, CEO

UPG has a long-established track record that includes more recent development and construction partnerships for over £250m for ‘Living’ sector projects comprising 600+ residential units plus commercial across London and the UK.

We embrace and champion innovation including the use of technology, to enhance collaboration, project delivery, performance management and transparency. Our extensive network includes access to over 2,000 pre-qualified subcontractors / construction specialists who are financially monitored.

With access to investment and global finance, we are always looking to expand our partnership model. We work with landowners and asset managers to build development partnerships with like-minded industry professionals including architects, engineers, developers and contractors.

our team

Sonny Gowans MSc

Founder & CEO

An ambitious, strategically minded and extensively connected real estate leader in the vision, creation and delivery of residential and mixed-use development, construction and investment projects in the UK and internationally.

Sonny started his real estate career in 1993 and has a track record of leading stakeholders and projects through the full life cycle. He has managed £1bn+ of projects across EMEA and Americas as a Partner at C&W London, up until the GFC in 2008. In 2009 he established Unique Property Group (UPG), initially as a developer, and more recently focussed on evolving it into an integrated developer contractor.

As an exceptional leader and development director, Sonny brings expertise in negotiating and managing complex project structures, joint ventures, structured finance, acquisitions, valuation, planning, design, construction management, and project exits. His skillset spans traditional end-user domestic markets as well as international and institutional investment markets.

Sonny holds an MSc in Project Management for Construction (Distinction) and has a RICS Project Management qualification. He has also studied Macroeconomics and International Trade at the London School of Economics (LSE). He is a Board Trustee at Blenheim Palace Estates, a c12,500-acre landed estate owned by the Duke of Marlborough and the Spencer-Churchill family. In this role, he provides commercial oversight and advises on commercial real estate strategies, sustainability and construction (including MMC).

Additionally, Sonny serves as a professional trainer in Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Foundations for the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Graduate Development Programme located at the PIF HQ in Riyadh, which supports the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in developing the next generation of real estate and asset management professionals.

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Paul Brunt

Head of Construction

Paul has an outstanding track record in the delivery of large and complex construction projects, with over 13 years’ experience including with Tier-1 contractors.

Having previously served in the Household Cavalry Regiment for 12 years, including tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, Paul brings with him strong logistics skills and an ability to motivate construction teams to deliver results whilst maintaining high standards in health, safety and quality.

His experience includes Director roles for RG Group, CBRE and ISG Plc. Paul is responsible for ensuring the company is delivering on the schedule of services set out within the various project specific Construction Management JCT Agreements and that project risks are adequately identified and effectively managed.

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Harry Gamblin

Head of Development Management

Harry joined UPG in 2017 as a Development Manager having graduated with a first-class honour’s degree in property development and later gained an RICS Construction Project Management qualification.

Harry is responsible for ensuring the company is delivering on the schedule of services set out within project specific development management contracts. His particular focus is on stakeholder management and governance, including financial and corporate controls across the group and projects.

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Adi Sardesai MSc

Head of Design / Project Management

Adi is a qualified Architect and holds MSc in Project Management for Construction. He provides critical oversight of project design management and coordination to ensure the design, procurement and construction processes are aligned, collaborating across project teams and avoiding conflicts and silos.

Adi has played a key part of the project team for a wide range of residential led developments, include a recent large 6,500m2 low carbon new build in North London and an eight storey high end residential new build in St. James’s, London.

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