We protect your property,
but who are we?
We won't bore you with wishy washy statements about our intentions, we will let the facts tell the story!
- Over 55,000 guardian applications in 13 years
- Over 50 buildings in Central London (Zone 1)
- No hidden management fees
- The first guardian company to be graced by a royal visit
- Glowing testimonials from leading Property Companies
- ISO 9001:2008 certified
Live-in Guardians was established to provide a reliable and commercial solution to the problems created by empty properties.
We use our collective experience to give you the best quality service & turnaround..
About Us
STARTED BY COMMERCIAL LAWYER ARTHUR DUKE IN JANUARY 2010, LIVE-IN GUARDIANS HAS BECOME THE UK’S LEADING GUARDIAN COMPANY FOR CENTRAL LONDON PROPERTIES.
In protecting buildings in areas such as Mayfair, Albert Embankment, Soho and Smithfield EC1 we have attracted worldwide media attention and appeared on Channel 4, Russia’s Channel 1 and numerous London based channels. We have featured in articles in The Guardian, Daily Express and The Wall St Journal and Managing Director Arthur Duke is recognized as the Industry’s leading expert and is regularly asked to appear on expert panels and deliver key note speeches.
With several leading property companies as long standing clients, Live–in Guardians continues to lead the way in providing a reliable and commercial solution to the problems created by empty properties.
The Team
Senior Management
Arthur Duke
Managing Director
After leaving Manchester University with a 2:1 degree in Management Sciences, Arthur attended the College of Law (1985-7), qualified as a lawyer in 1989 and practised for 8 years working for Nabarro’s and Taylor Wessing. This legal experience has proved invaluable since starting LIG in 2009 and has enabled us to stand out from other Guardian companies. His time in the property industry where he worked with Urban Spaces, a commercial agency and Noble House Properties Limited, introduced a number of LIG’s original and current clients and a short spell as a football agent taught him a lot of other things! Arthur’s entrepreneurial skills and a unique approach to the industry has led to the rapid growth of LIG in such a short period of time. They are now recognised as London’s specialist vacant property protection and management service provider. In his spare time he is devoted to his daughters and Chelsea FC, but not always in that order!!
Danny Schindler
020 3195 3535
COO
After 20 years trading financial futures in the City, Danny has returned to the roots of his first job of finding accommodation for young people in London. Having also worked with a Sports Memorabilia Company, where he organised signing sessions with Pele and Paul Gascoigne, amongst others, and a Domestic Cleaning Company, he brings a range of Marketing ideas and contacts to the Live-in Guardian world. Married with 2 teenage children, he hopes to play for Spurs or sing with a rock group when he gets older.
Anthony Martin
020 3195 3535
Finance Director
Anthony joins LIG from a large Retail and Media business where he was the Finance Director reporting directly to the MD. Having achieved a BA (Hons) in Business Economics and Accounting and qualified as a chartered accountant with the ACCA in 2010, he is able to provide accurate and regular financial management information to the Board and Senior Management. He is also experienced in overseeing IT projects and these have ranged from setting up a finance system to retail point of sale and multi-channel web integration. His spare time is taken up with his 18 month old daughter and following Arsenal Football club – one which brings him a great deal more joy than the other!
Sales
Mark Kennedy
020 3195 3535
Director of Business Development
Mark is highly self-motivated business development professional with an entrepreneurial spirit. He has gained extensive experience with alternative investments such as Hedge Funds, Real Estate, Commodities, Managed Futures and Private Equity funds and the fund administration process. He has led the relationship building process and enjoys maintaining existing relationships with key global institutions at C-Level (CEO, CFO, COO, CIO) in the private and public sector. Mark is a Chelsea fan with a beautiful wife and son.
Bradley Lazarus
020 3195 3535
Business Development Manager
Bradley joined-Live In Guardians in December 2022 as Business Development Manager, bringing with him 30 years in the property industry. His vast experience in residential property has ranged from working as Branch Manager within several north-west London estate agencies, to developing property and working in contracts management for a renowned north-west London house builder. Apart from being an avid footballer, he loves to spend time cycling and keeping fit and has taken on many exciting challenges to raise money for numerous charities.
Admin
Stephanie Boncey
020 3195 3535
Office Manager
Law Graduate and trained teacher. Worked mainly within the charity sector coordinating, developing and running a volunteering programme involving corporate lawyers working with young people in inner city schools and working on projects concerned with improving social mobility. Most recently worked as a coordinator for London School of Economics within their Department of Management. Have been a guardian for over 6 years. In my spare time I like live music and yoga (the latter I like more than I actually do it).
Guardians
Leanne Walmsley
0203 195 3535
Guardian Manager
Born and raised in London. She began her career in the third sector working with victims of crime. Following this she spent 10 years building her career in the hospitality industry, specifically in events management. In her spare time, she loves getting out into the wild camping and glamping and when at home she enjoys making candles and soap.
Selin Johnson
0203 195 3535
Guardian Coordinator
Selin was studying Criminal Law at university but had to stop studying to start working. Before joining LIG Selin began her career as a sales and letting negotiator in an estate agent where she excelled but felt there wasn’t a lot of development. Growing up she spent a lot of time between England, Cyprus and Turkey which made her bilingual. A loyal Arsenal fan because of her father’s influence, in her spare time she loves drawing buildings.
Welfare
Property
Priya Patel
020 3195 3535
Property Manager
After studying Business marketing at the University of Hertfordshire Priya started in a career in Property and was a Senior Property Manager at Cluttons before spending 5 years as Head of Property at London Residential. Priya has a passion for music and enjoys going on long walks. Most of her spare time is spent enjoying moments with family and friends.
Catalina Runcie
0203 195 3535
Property Administrator
After graduating from the University of St Andrews with a degree in Biochemistry, Catalina worked for Cambridgeshire County Council assisting with their covid response and providing public health guidance to vulnerable people in the community. She joined Live-in Guardians in early 2023 out of a desire to try something new. In her free time, Catalina works with the charity Eczema Outreach Support, aimed at amplifying the previously underrepresented practical and emotional aspects of being a young person with eczema.
Samantha Maley
020 3195 3535
Property Administrator
Having worked for a number of years in the residential lettings property market for agencies including Savills and Chestertons, Samantha has recently joined Live-in Guardians in the Property Management Department. Lives in North London with her husband and 8 year old daughter who she likes to spend her spare time with along with going out with friends.
James Ajayi
020 3195 3535
Inspector
Born in Lagos but lived most his life in Finsbury Park. He comes from an engineering background having worked in the computer department of Ernst Young and has since worked in property inspection now for close to six years. A football lover (supports Liverpool) and enjoys good music (especially jazz) in his leisure time. James is always smiling and we love this quote – ‘Working for LIG is a joyful thing as I am surrounded by kind and helpful staff. I’ll do my best to make a positive impact on the company.’
Michal Lipka
Inspector
020 3195 3535
Michal Lipka
020 3195 3535
Inspector
Bio coming soon!
Phaedros Mantilaris
020 3195 3535
Inspector
Introducing Pheadros, also known as 'Phed,' a seasoned inspector bringing invaluable experience to Live-in Guardians. With a proven track record of excellence, Phed is eager to take on new challenges in this role. Outside of work, Phed is a devoted family person, prioritising quality time with loved ones. He's also a passionate football fan, finding joy and relaxation in the beautiful game.
Maintenance
Andy Pollock
020 3195 3535
Project Manager
Born in New Zealand, lived in South Africa and with a Scottish Dad, Andy not surprisingly travelled the world for 18 months before he arrived in the UK in 2010. Having learnt the tricks of the trade with his father’s crane company in South Africa, he developed his skills with the maintenance company PBP Services before being snapped up by Live-in Guardians. Having previously lived as a Guardian, Andy is well positioned to know what our Guardians need and expect for a comfortable life and he ensures everything is in working order.
David Banh
020 3195 3535
Maintenance and Project Manager
David was born and bred in South East London and now still lives in the area with his own family. After working for MHL building company for 5 years, where he specialised as a plasterer he joined Interserve FM on the Metropolitan Police Services contract in 2008. He looked after a vast portfolio of MET buildings and carried out installation works, fault finding and maintain all building fabric to a high standard. He has completed a National Diploma apprenticeship in Reactive and Planned maintenance for Heating and Ventilation and also other courses in plumbing and plastering. A real family man, he spends most of his spare time with his 6 year old son and his 4 year old daughter ‘creating memories with them.’
Justin Ettiene
020 3195 3535
Maintenance
An expert in Carpentry and Joinery, Justin joins LIG from a long history in construction, having worked for companies such as Planet construction and Noble House. A big fan of cricket and dancing, we look forward to seeing some of his moves at the next Xmas party.
Abby Wilkinson
020 3195 3535
Maintenance Manager
Abby has lived in North London all her life. Her work history is quite varied. She moved to Live-In Guardians from a large FM company where she was the Office Manager but previously, she spent several years helping run a busy, local pub. She is Mum to 2 little girls who keep her very busy at home. In her spare time, she enjoys gaming and watching films.
Craig Montague
0203 195 3535
Maintenance
Craig is a qualified plumbing and heating engineer and domestic gas safe registered and has been in the trade for 16 years. Much of this experience has been installations and maintenance work in the top London hospitals. Craig has 2 young daughters with his partner of 16 years and plays football with a Sunday League team in his spare time.
Casey Seal
020 3195 3535
Maintenance
Casey started his journey learning about electrical installation at college. He then moved on to working in the hotel and hospitality industry which he did for 5 years. Casey is Part P qualified and joined Live in Guardians in April 2019 to work with our maintenance team and his dad! In his spare time he likes to travel the world, some of the countries he has visited include France, Cyprus, Iceland, Belgium and Thailand.
Kevin Seal
020 3195 3535
Electrician
A fully qualified electrician, Kevin has recently joined LIG after having worked in and around government buildings, mostly hospitals where he gained experience in building maintenance and working with other trades. In his spare time, he likes to try and keep his garden tidy, and listen to 80`s music – sort of Alan Titchmarsh meets Simon le Bon. Born in Enfield, North London, he still lives in the area with his wife of 26 years and 2 boys aged 24 and 14.
John Peterson
Fire Alarm Engineer
020 3195 3535
John Peterson
020 3195 3535
Fire Alarm Engineer
John has been a qualified Electrician for 9 years working on electrical and fire alarm installations for a wide variety of retail shops, restaurants and hospitals. John loves playing golf and football with his mates and is also a huge Spurs fan.
Ben Grimes
0203 195 3535
Ben is our newest member of our maintenance team at Live-in Guardians. Previously fitting security systems across the capital, Ben's meticulous approach to safety is a cornerstone of his work. A former competitive boxer, Ben's discipline and determination from the ring now contribute to our team. While he enjoys watching boxing matches, his downtime also includes immersing himself in the world of gaming.
Accounts
Ian Pakes
020 3195 3535
Accounts Assistant
Ian has over 25 years’ experience in finance administration, working for a wide range of organisations including The Law Society, Phoenix ME and Legal & General. In his spare time he enjoys home brewing and listening to his collection of over 4,000 vinyl records.
Tatyana Miteva
020 3195 3535
Group Management Accountant
Tatyana is known as Tanya around the office and moved to London in 2007 after spending her formative years in Bulgaria. After achieving a BA Hons in Marketing and Economics, Tanya went on to achieve an MBA in Financial Management and also has a diploma in Accounting and Advanced Book-keeping. She also found time for a year and a half internship in America with a leading retail company. Previously she was working for a busy London Property Maintenance Company running their head office and key accounts and reporting directly to the MD. Her experience in dealing with landlords, tenants and building companies has provided invaluable in her current role with Live-in Guardians. In her spare time, Tanya is a budding photographer and lists insects and flowers amongst her favourite subjects. She also enjoys Opera and a glass of wine and strongly recommends the Bulgarian variety!
Marketing And Social Media
Said Hamed
020 3195 3535
Digital Marketing Manager
With over 8 years’ experience working with top London communications agencies, Said heads up our marketing activity and helps to spread the word about the wonderful world of property guardianship. A born and raised Londoner, self-confessed foodie and longsuffering Arsenal fan, Said is a storyteller who’s passionate about the people, places and spaces that make the capital what it is.
Eve McMurray
0203 195 3535
Social Media Executive
Eve is a creative digital native who has recently joined Live-In Guardians as the new Social Media Executive. Her journey into the world of social media took off when she wrote a blog about living in rural Spain and realized its potential to make a positive impact on others in unique living situations. Driven by a passion for storytelling and understanding others, Eve is excited to tell the untold stories of the world of guardianship. In her free time, Eve enjoys creating cartoons and exploring the capital for artistic inspiration.
Some of our latest guardian properties and posts