Who we are
Estate of the Art was founded on a distinct belief: that complexity should never be the enemy of progress.
Co-founders Efe Özyaba and James Ackroyd bring a deliberate alternative to the volume-driven consultancy model. We blend deep insider experience with a commitment to long-term public and private value.
We provide senior-led execution across transactions, development enablement, and strategic portfolio planning. We help clients navigate complexity with clarity, ensuring every decision is grounded in insight and driven by reality.
We facilitate the realisation of high-value projects by aligning commercial capability with public purpose. Acting as trusted strategic partners who operate discreetly and decisively, especially when the stakes are high and the path forward is complex.
Our commitment to integrity ensures that every recommendation is aligned solely with our clients’ best long-term interests.
This is advisory, done thoughtfully.
Our People
“A city is a promise to the future.”
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James brings more than 25 years’ experience across valuation, investment management, private consultancy and public-sector property.With a Law degree, a Masters in Estate Management, and RICS accreditation, James occupies the critical intersection where commercial ambition meets statutory probity. He specialises in portfolio strategy and optimisation, structuring deals that are tailored to client’s objectives.
He has advised on and managed transactions ranging from complex development land sales and structured lease arrangements to community asset renewals. His recent work in local government has involved high-profile land sales, long-term lease structuring, and strategic asset planning within a probity-intensive environment.
James is valued for his ability to cut through complexity, provide clear and measured advice, and build trust with both clients and stakeholders as a trusted advisor.
He thrives in tight, mission-driven teams where delivery and integrity matter more than hype.
“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”
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Efe is a results-driven professional who bridges the gap between physical design and financial performance. His background spans architecture, development management, agency, academia, and public-sector, giving him a rare "full-stack" understanding of the property lifecycle.
With a Bachelor of Architectural Design and a Master of Property from leading global universities, and a Sustainable Investment Certificate from the CFA Institute, he combines design insight with commercial and governance expertise.
His experience includes complex mixed-use, build-to-rent, social infrastructure, commercial projects, transactions and major public-sector initiatives in politically sensitive environments. This breadth enables him to approach property decisions with a focus on practical outcomes and alignment with organisational objectives.
Efe is valued for his ability to quickly understand stakeholder priorities, simplify complexity, and structure projects that withstand detailed scrutiny.
His work centers on helping organisations make informed decisions in environments where robust analysis and strategic clarity are critical.
Contact Us
We are always open to a conversation. Whether you have a specific property challenge or just want to explore how we might work together, feel free to get in touch by sending us an email. We’re a small team, so you’ll be speaking directly with us.