Our Team

The dynamic Londonist team works from our London, Istanbul, and China offices. Embracing the ethos of diversity and inclusion, our offices are home to team members coming from various corners of the world, fostering a rich cultural tapestry by communicating proficiently in multiple languages

Asim Erturk

MANAGING DIRECTOR

AMBITIOUS – INSPIRATIONAL – LEADER

  • Asim Erturk, the founder and managing director of Londonist, established Londonist DMC in 2013. His leadership and innovative strategies have propelled Londonists from 30 rooms to managing over 2,000 rooms across London.
  • His dedication to student welfare and his strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping Londonist into a leader in the industry.
  • Asim Erturk’s efforts have consistently set new industry standards, ensuring every student finds a welcoming home away from home.

Umang Gandecha

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

HONEST – LOYAL – COMMITTED

  • Umang is responsible for the company’s international growth, securing team development and target achievement with remarkable leadership and vision.
  • He is fluent in Chinese, further enhancing his ability to connect with our diverse student communities and partners.
  • His passion for excellence and unwavering commitment to fostering supportive, high-quality student environments worldwide are commendable.

Fulya Dogan

TURKIYE DIRECTOR

INDULGENT – WISE – IDEALISTIC

  • Fulya has 10+ years of managing experience in multiple industries and oversees the smooth running of the office, improving company procedures and compliance.
  • She creates and maintains a pleasant work environment, securing high levels of organisational effectiveness and communication while generating business and providing general administrative support.
  • Fulya effectively manages the Istanbul Office and represents Londonist at industry events, trade shows, and local community events.

Joy Prakash Gupta

HEAD OF FINANCE - LONDON

ANALYTIC – INSIGHTFUL – RESULTS DRIVEN

  • Joy oversees financial operations, develops and implements financial strategies, and manages budgeting and forecasting.
  • He leads our global finance team with exceptional skill and dedication, driving financial performance and supporting growth across all locations.
  • Joy’s financial compliance expertise and strategic insights have been pivotal in the company’s overall success.

Anil Hayat

HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES - LONDON

PLANNER – EMPATHETIC – SOLUTION ORIENTED

  • Anil provides strategic direction for HR functions, aligning them with organisational goals and maintaining consistency across multiple locations.
  • With experience in the HR sector of two countries, he leads global recruitment operations and policy implementations.
  • Anil navigates organisational changes, offering support and guidance to colleagues and leaders.

Dinara Suleimanova

HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PARTNERSHIPS - LONDON

KNOWLEDGEABLE – PASSIONATE – COMMUNICATOR

  • Dinara leads the Business Development and Partnerships department, handling all aspects of the day-to-day running of the business.
  • She was co-opted onto the BETA Board of Directors and won the ‘Outstanding Departmental Manager’ award from the Lead5050 association.
  • As Head of Business Development & Partnerships, Dinara identifies and secures business partnerships with agents, institutions, booking platforms, and other players in the student market.

Dateme Tamuno

HEAD OF MARKETING - LONDON

INSPIRING – INSIGHTFUL – ANALYTICAL

  • Dateme inspires the marketing team to amplify the Londonist brand and drive growth across several channels.
  • He has immense experience across various verticals from both the client and agency sides.
  • An avid runner, Dateme aims to complete 50 marathons before turning 50, with 11 marathons already completed.

Richard Champkins

HEAD OF OPERATIONS - LONDON

SKILLED – DEDICATED – DYNAMIC

  • Richard excels in overseeing the daily operations of our student accommodation centres, maintaining strict adherence to health and safety regulations, and ensuring a consistently positive resident experience.
  • He manages check-ins and check-outs, promptly addresses resident concerns, implements engaging programs, and handles all administrative tasks related to student accommodation management.
  • Richard’s dedication and expertise significantly enhance the quality of life for our student residents.

Murat Aker

HEAD OF GROWTH & STRATEGIC OPERATIONS - ISTANBUL

PASSIONATE – ENERGETIC – SOLUTION-ORIENTED

  • Murat guides teams to achieve remarkable growth, sales, and operational success across the London and Istanbul offices.
  • His leadership and strategic vision drive collaboration between IT and Marketing, leading to continuous improvements and operational excellence.
  • Murat excels in managing the product development lifecycle for Londonist, confirming products exceed market expectations and quality standards.

Patrick Harris

HEAD OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP & ALLIANCES - LONDON

CONNECTED – VISIONARY – COLLABORATIVE

  • Patrick leads our global strategic partnerships and alliances, driving long-term relationships with educational consultants and institutions worldwide.
  • He heads a multilingual team of regional representatives in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Gulf region, and Asia, fostering collaboration and promoting student mobility globally.
  • Patrick’s international education expertise and expansive network continue to shape our global outreach and partnership success.

Mustafa Ozyildiz

FACILITIES MANAGER

FUNNY- PERFECTIONIST- DISCIPLINED

  • Mustafa has been working with Londonist since 2018, utilising his expertise in international business.
  • He holds an undergraduate degree with honours from Istanbul Commerce University and a Master’s in International Business and Management from the University of Westminster, coupled with a background as a national athlete in Karate.
  • Motivated by planning, organising, and attention to detail, Mustafa strives for perfection in all of our company operations.

Raghdah Boohar

IT PROJECT MANAGER

STRATEGIC – RESULT DRIVEN – INNOVATIVE

  • With six years of experience in the IT industry, I specialize in driving result-oriented projects that enhance efficiency and innovation.
  • As an IT Project Manager at Londonist, I oversee technology-driven solutions, ensuring seamless execution and strategic growth.
  • My expertise lies in project planning, team collaboration, and delivering impactful IT solutions that align with business goals.
  • Passionate about technology and problem-solving, I thrive in dynamic environments where innovation meets execution.

Michael Zhang

SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE - SHANGHAI

CAPABLE – STRATEGIC – RESULTS DRIVEN

  • Michael is a seasoned sales professional with over five years of success across diverse industries, specialising in driving revenue through strategic sales initiatives and exceeding targets with a client-focused approach.
  • His adaptable nature allows him to thrive in dynamic markets, consistently closing deals, enhancing operational efficiency, and representing companies at industry events to foster brand visibility.
  • Michael brings a proven track record of leadership, collaborating cross-functionally to contribute to operational, financial, and marketing strategies, and is eager to elevate Londonist DMC’s sales performance and overall success.

Asli Guneyi

PA TO MANAGING DIRECTOR

PROBLEM SOLVER – ORGANISED – DEPENDABLE

  • Asli is the Personal Assistant to the Managing Director at Londonist DMC.
  • She plays a vital role in supporting the MD with all administrative and managerial tasks, ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly.
  • In addition to her direct support to leadership, Asli also assists the wider team, contributing to coordination across departments. Known for her proactive mindset and dedication, she is always eager to learn and is passionate about developing her skills further within the company.