Inside the Mind of a Property Powerhouse – Exclusive Interview With Neil Streets
- Brainz Magazine
- Aug 13
- 3 min read
When high-stakes property projects stall or billion-pound masterplans need help, top clients turn to one name: Neil Streets. He is the CEO of Alphafish and a trusted expert in complex real estate. With over £10 billion in projects delivered, he has built a strong reputation as the go-to strategic fixer for UHNWIs, global investors, and Fortune 500 companies.
But who is Neil Streets beyond the boardroom? In this exclusive interview, we unpack his philosophy, process, and the ways he is reshaping the blueprint for modern property development.
Neil Streets, Founder and Managing Director
Who is Neil Streets, both professionally and personally?
Inside the boardroom, I am a strategic fixer. I specialise in reviving high-value developments, scaling complex portfolios, and helping clients, from sovereign funds to tech companies, turn vision into reality. At Alphafish, we work as a hands-on development and delivery partner, not just a consultant. We have led over £10 billion in projects by connecting strategy with execution. Outside the boardroom, I am a dad and an ultramarathon runner. I bring the same endurance mindset to my work as I do to 100-kilometre trail runs. I believe in clarity, grit, and momentum. Purposeful growth is important to me both personally and professionally.
What’s the biggest challenge facing large-scale development right now?
The industry is facing a perfect storm with tighter regulations, rising ESG demands, broken supply chains, and fast-paced mergers and acquisitions. But the biggest issue is disconnected thinking. Many developments are managed in silos, with strategy in one place and delivery in another. This causes delays, higher costs, and compliance risks. At Alphafish, we connect strategy and delivery from the very beginning. This helps us remove blind spots and deliver clear, measurable results.
How does Alphafish deliver both strategy and execution so effectively?
We close the gap between plans and real progress. Alphafish is not just a strategic advisor. We are a delivery partner who helps build what we design. We work backwards from the outcome, using agile methods to keep projects moving with speed and accuracy. That is why clients trust us with everything from turnaround projects to billion-pound masterplans. We are not watching from the sidelines; we are fully involved, guiding each step with sharp focus and control.
How do you help clients reduce costs without compromising quality?
Cost control is not about cutting corners. It is about making smart decisions early. We focus on key choices in design, procurement, and project phases from the start. Then, we add value through things like R&D tax credits, restructured leases, and efficient delivery models. For example, at Cazoo, we unlocked £46 million in estate value and reduced costs by 21 percent. At the same time, we improved customer experience and the quality of delivery. That is what smart and strategic development looks like.
What sets Alphafish apart when it comes to speed and scale?
Speed is not chaos; it is careful planning. We structure projects with strong discipline, allowing different tasks to run at the same time while removing problems before they slow things down. Our deep understanding of regulations gives us an advantage. Whether it is Gateway 2 submissions for high-risk buildings or managing big company transitions, we spot issues early and solve them fast. We also scale well because we use smart systems. From two sites to 200, we set up portfolio-wide controls, live dashboards, and flexible plans that adjust to each project. That is why companies like Amazon and global investors trust us to move fast, stay on track, and deliver under pressure.
Final thoughts: Why choose Alphafish?
If you are a developer, investor, or corporate occupier looking to unlock real estate value while managing risk, regulation, and reputation, Alphafish is the partner you need. Neil Streets and his team offer a rare mix of strategic insight, strong delivery, and clear commercial thinking. They do more than build; they prepare assets for the future. They do more than deliver; they help clients transform what is possible.
