Tariq Tohala

Founder and Managing Director

With over a decade of experience in the industry, Tariq has established himself as a prominent figure, recognised for his expertise in structuring complex financial solutions across a wide range of asset classes. His career began at a London-based real estate debt advisory firm, where he gained invaluable experience working on high-profile transactions for HNW clients. Leveraging his Middle Eastern roots, Tariq then founded Navigate Finance with an initial focus on catering to the growing demand from Middle Eastern investors seeking Sharia-compliant investment procurement and financing solutions. His ability to deliver bespoke Murabaha facilities and other Islamic finance products has earned him a reputation for excellence in this niche sector.

Under Tariq's leadership, Navigate Finance has now evolved into a full-spectrum real estate advisory firm, working with clients from diverse backgrounds and covering a broad range of lending formats across the UK and Europe, including bridging loans, development loans, buy-to-let mortgages, and commercial mortgages. Tariq's expertise extends to raising equity at varying levels of the capital stack, particularly in structuring preferred equity solutions for development projects, ensuring optimal financing strategies that meet the specific needs of investors.

His extensive network of global investors and financial institutions, combined with a deep understanding of the market, enables him to deliver innovative financial strategies that consistently maximise investor returns and create long-term value. Tariq’s vision extends beyond securing capital; it’s about empowering clients to achieve financial independence through making thoughtful real estate investment and financing decisions.

Johan maet

head of european operations

Johan brings over two decades of high-level expertise in European real estate financing to Navigate Finance. He started his career at Bear Stearns, where he developed a robust background in trading stocks and derivatives on Wall Street and the Chicago Board Options Exchange in the late 1990s. This foundation led him into European finance, where he eventually headed the European Structured Finance and Derivatives division at Armajaro, a globally recognized financial services and commodities trading firm based in Mayfair, London. There, Johan managed large-scale structured finance and derivatives operations, overseeing teams worldwide and handling significant assets, particularly in the commodities space.

In 2015, Johan founded BellRock Securities, a London-based firm specialising in European real estate securitisations and private debt, with a strong regulatory standing under the FCA in the UK and operational reach in the BELUX region. BellRock’s success in debt structuring has been remarkable, achieving over £1 billion in debt arrangements within the last five years and serving an exclusive roster of professional clients across Europe.

At Navigate Finance, Johan leads our European Lending division, applying his deep knowledge of structured finance, private debt and real estate securitizations to support Navigate Finance’s European-based clients. His multilingual skills and extensive work experience across Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, the USA, and the UK position him as a critical asset for Navigate Finance’s growth in the European real estate financing sector.

Dr Ali Al-Naher

Executive Consultant

Ali Al-Naher began his career as a qualified dentist, working in the medical and dental sectors where he quickly gained a reputation not only for his expertise in healthcare but also for his ability to raise capital for startup businesses. His success in founding a dental startup and consulting for other medical ventures provided him with unique insights into business operations, financial management, and corporate fundraising. Ali was instrumental in securing capital for these startups, helping them expand and thrive in competitive markets.

Building on this foundation, Ali organically transitioned into the world of real estate finance, seamlessly applying his financial expertise to structure complex transactions across various asset classes. His ability to navigate both the healthcare and financial sectors has allowed him to leverage his extensive network within the medical world to fund multiple high-profile finance deals. Ali now specializes in structuring commercial mortgages and raising corporate financing, working closely with private equity firms deploying capital into UK and European property markets. His strategic approach ensures that clients benefit from tailored financial solutions that maximize growth and minimize risk.

Ali’s combined experience in healthcare and finance has positioned him as a trusted advisor capable of delivering innovative financial strategies. His expertise in raising funds for expansion and development, both in the medical sector and the broader real estate market, continues to drive successful outcomes for his clients.

Gerry Powell

UK Industrial and logistics

Gerry Powell brings over 35 years of expertise in the construction and real estate sector, where his extensive experience has made him a respected figure in the industry. In the last decade, Gerry has specialised in commercial land sourcing and acquisitions, catering to ultra-high-net-worth clients throughout the UK. His keen eye for identifying prime opportunities has established him as a trusted advisor in the acquisition of premium commercial assets.

More recently, through Navigate Finance, Gerry has been at the forefront of financing significant commercial investment assets within the highly competitive M25 region. His involvement in securing and structuring finance for a wide range of projects has earned him a reputation for delivering innovative solutions in complex real estate transactions.

Beyond his work with Navigate Finance, Gerry owns and operates several open storage and logistics sites across London, further underscoring his deep-rooted knowledge and influence in the capital’s industrial sector. Additionally, Gerry frequently co-invests alongside his clients, leveraging his industry acumen to identify and capitalise on new and lucrative investment opportunities. His ability to seamlessly blend strategic advisory services with hands-on investment demonstrates his unique value to clients and partners alike.

Richard Taha

Executive Consultant

With 10 years of experience as Investment Director at Harper Investments Group, looking after clients across Europe and the GCC, Richard is highly versed in strategic investment planning, focusing on maximising investor returns through yield adjustments, IRR optimisation, and effective risk analysis. He has consistently delivered value by expertly evaluating commercial and development transactions, ensuring capital is deployed strategically. His expertise in extracting optimum value, implementing exit strategies, and asset management within the real estate sector has been instrumental in his success.

Richard is adept at structuring complex financial solutions, including equity and debt arrangements. He has a deep understanding of various lending formats, ensuring that capital is raised and deployed in the most efficient way. His ability to manage risk, optimise financial returns, and secure capital through his network of HNWIs, family offices, and financial institutions has enabled him to drive successful transactions across the UK, Europe, and the GCC. Richard's expertise allows him to provide bespoke financing strategies that align with both investor goals and market dynamics.