Empire Global was delighted to serve as a sponsor for the International Real Estate Conference in Jersey on 3rd June 2025, an event co-hosted by HNW Advisor Events and Hiizzy.
Held at the very elegant Club Hotel & Spa, quietly located in the heart of St Helier, senior representatives from law, finance, and tech came together to exchange first hand insights on the shifting dynamics of global property investment.
Martin Johnson, COO at Empire, opened the event with a brief welcome before two focused panel sessions. The first, chaired by Chris Usher (Cavenwell Group), explored how private capital is reshaping global real estate. Speakers included Thomas Pearson (JMW Solicitors LLP), Steve Jacob (Fabrik Property Group), Katharine Marshall (Ogier), and Stuart Stobie (Mosaic Chambers Group).
The second, chaired by Alexandra Ruddy (Oben Law + Regulatory), focused on tech’s role in property investment, with contributions from Allan Wood (Hiizzy), Emma German (Monoceros Law & Innovation), Lee Birkett (Moneybrain.com), and George Pearmain (Financial Crime Regulation Advisor).
Here’s what stuck with us:
1. A Growing Global Diversification in Property
It’s no longer a question of whether family offices should look beyond their home markets. Global diversification has become a strategic imperative, as families seek to balance risk and return through international real estate portfolios.
Moderating the discussion, CU noted a marked shift: family offices are now more proactive than ever in exploring cross-border property opportunities. The rationale is clear, diversifying geographically mitigates exposure to local volatility.
TP highlighted that, even in an increasingly global landscape, the UK remains a compelling constant. Its stability, strong legal framework, and reputation for safety continue to make it a cornerstone of international property strategies.
However, although London may still hold prestige, investors are turning their gaze to other regions. SJ made a compelling case for cities like Manchester and Birmingham, especially in student housing and care accommodation.
Still, as SS and KM both stressed, the foundation of any successful global strategy is structure. With cross-border deals come layers of legal and tax complexity, and those who begin with smart structuring will be the ones best positioned to capitalise on the opportunities without stumbling into future pitfalls.
2. Technology’s Expanding Role in Global Property Investment
The afternoon session ventured into an examination on how technology is quickly reshaping the landscape of global property investment. AW explained how platforms like Hiizzy are indicative of this shift, empowering sellers rather than intermediaries, signalling a broader move toward decentralisation and transparency.
Indeed, from smart contracts to blockchain-based registries, the sector is beginning to see the emergence of an ecosystem where ownership, transactions, and compliance may soon be embedded directly within the technology itself. The implications for cost, speed, and trust are enormous.
EG pushed the conversation further into the future, discussing how ‘digital twins’ – once the stuff of science fiction – are now being deployed in real estate development and infrastructure planning. Used in progressive jurisdictions, these virtual models allow planners to visualise entire projects before breaking ground.
Yet, with progress come complex questions. For example, who owns these digital assets? How should data be governed? And what happens when smart contracts execute automatically in legal grey areas? As EG made clear, these are questions still searching for clear legal frameworks.
Then came the real-world application. LB showcased a live example of a £28 million lending deal executed through stablecoins right there in Jersey. It was a timely reminder that these technologies aren’t abstract, they’re already shaping how capital moves in the real world.
GP brought the discussion full circle. Technology can move fast, he noted, but without robust regulation, it remains limited in scope and impact. Trust, after all, isn’t built on speed alone but on a framework that ensures fairness, legality, and resilience.
In summary the future of property is digital, but it will be trust, not tech alone, that determines who leads in the long run.
3. The capital is there (but it’s getting choosier and faster)
What became clear throughout the event is that investors today are seeking more than just returns. They’re looking for flexibility, transparency, and a sense of alignment with broader lifestyle and strategic goals. Tax certainty is now a baseline expectation, and there’s a growing appetite for digital-native infrastructure.
Final Thoughts
The event offered a timely and insightful snapshot of where real estate investment is heading increasingly cross-border, underpinned by technology, and grounded in sound legal structuring.
We were delighted to see a full room. So full, in fact, that our own COO, Martin, found himself without a seat!
From the diversity of voices on the panels to the quality of networking throughout the day, one thing was clear: the future of international property investment is already taking shape. It is collaborative by nature, interdisciplinary in approach, and being shaped by professionals who understand that global success will be built not in silos, but in partnership.
(Also, yes, the buffet lunch was excellent.)