Nadine Okorefe: The Visionary CEO Turning Property Investment into a Movement for Legacy and Lifestyle Freedom

One of those leaders is Nadine Okorefe, a seasoned investment professional with over 15 years of experience at some of the world’s top firms. After building a successful career in finance, she followed her lifelong passion for real estate by founding Anthony Grace Properties, a UK-based firm that makes property investment accessible, purposeful, and values-driven. Rooted in her upbringing in South East London as the youngest of seven children in a hardworking Nigerian family, Nadine draws inspiration from her parents’ resilience, faith, and service to others, values that now shape both her company’s mission and her commitment to helping people build wealth with freedom, legacy, and empowerment in mind.

Today, we are interviewing Nadine Okorefe to learn more about her journey, her vision, and the movement she is building through property.

1. You have had a successful career in global investment before founding Anthony Grace Properties. What motivated you to step into entrepreneurship and build something of your own?

Nadine Okorefe:
It was time.

After years of leading strategic transformations and global investment projects across some of the most prestigious investment management firms, I reached a pivotal moment. I had built a strong career working for others — but I knew I was ready to create something that was truly mine. I’m a deeply creative person, and I wanted to channel that creativity into building something meaningful, something that would stand the test of time.

Founding Anthony Grace Properties wasn’t just a professional decision — it was a personal mission. Legacy is important to me. I’m the youngest of seven children, raised in South London by parents whose lives were rooted in faith, hard work, and generosity. My mother before she retired, was a care worker for the elderly and an entrepreneur, my late father, a chartered engineer, entrepreneur, and community advocate. Their legacy shaped me, and I wanted to build something that could carry that forward — not just for my family, but for others seeking empowerment through property investment.

You can’t pass your 9–5 job on to your children, but you can pass on a business. That truth was a turning point. I also wanted financial freedom, flexibility, and the ability to spend time doing what I love with the people who matter most. Entrepreneurship gives me that — but it also demands courage, boldness, and resilience. It’s not easier than a corporate role; in fact, it’s more challenging. You work longer hours, face more uncertainty — but the rewards are deeper. You get to lead with purpose.

I have never been one to settle for ordinary. I believe the world is full of possibility, and in a traditional job, there is only so far you can go. But when you build something of your own, the sky isn’t the limit — it’s the baseline. That’s the mindset I bring to Anthony Grace Properties: to redefine property investment as a tool for legacy-building, lifestyle freedom, and transformation.

This journey has been one of the most exciting chapters of my life — and it is only just beginning!

2. Anthony Grace Properties is named in honor of your parents. Can you share how their influence and values shaped both you as a person and the company you are leading today?

Nadine Okorefe:

Yes sure.

Naming the company Anthony Grace Properties was never just a branding decision — it was a tribute. A tribute to two extraordinary people whose lives, love, and values shaped everything I am and everything I am building.

My father, Anthony Okorefe, who is now of blessed memory, was a chartered engineer, a mathematician at heart, and a well-respected person within our Nigerian Urhobo community in the UK and abroad. He was deeply principled, generous, and unwaveringly devoted to his family. He believed in lifting others as he climbed — using the proceeds from his ventures in Nigeria and his earnings in the UK to sponsor education, support livelihoods, and invest in the well-being of those who needed it most. His heart was pure, and his life was a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

My mother, Grace Okorefe, who is very much alive and well by God’s grace, is a powerhouse of creativity and resilience. In addition to her full-time job and raising me and my siblings, she ran her own tailoring business after her training at the renowned London College of Fashion. She used to make clothing for some of the top high street brands we know of today. She also had other businesses; my mother has always been very hard-working and industrious. She has a wealth of wisdom, is incredibly warm and kind, and has a big heart that’s embraced countless others as a mother figure. Her entrepreneurial spirit, strength, and compassion for others have always inspired me. Both my parents were also devoted Christians, and together they raised me and my siblings with unwavering faith in God, a relentless work ethic, and a deep sense of responsibility to others.

I’m the youngest of seven, and I carry their legacy with profound honour.

Their influence runs through every part of Anthony Grace Properties. The company is built on the same values they live by: faith, integrity, trust, and excellence. My father taught me to think strategically and act with intention. My mother showed me how to lead with empathy and create beauty from even the simplest of resources. That blend of vision and heart is the foundation of how I lead today.

More than anything, they taught me that legacy matters — not just in what you achieve, but in how you uplift others. That is why Anthony Grace Properties is not just about property. It’s about empowerment. It’s about helping people build lives of freedom, stability, and meaning. It’s about creating something that can be passed on, just as they passed on their values to me.

Every decision I make, every project we take on, is guided by two simple questions: Would this make God proud of me? And would this make Anthony and Grace proud? That’s the standard. That’s the heartbeat of the business.

3. Many people find property investment intimidating or reserved for the wealthy. How do you help make it more approachable and achievable for everyday investors?

Nadine Okorefe:

That perception — that property investment is only for the wealthy or well-connected — is one of the biggest myths I’m committed to debunking. At Anthony Grace Properties, we are rewriting the narrative. Property is not just for the elite. It is a powerful tool for everyday people to build freedom, stability, and legacy — and I believe everyone deserves access to that opportunity.

I come from a working-class Nigerian family based in South East London, and I’ve seen firsthand what it means to build something from the ground up. My parents migrated to the UK from Nigeria with very few resources, but they had vision, grit, and a deep commitment to uplifting others. That is the spirit I bring into this business. We do not just talk about investment — we educate, we simplify, and we walk alongside our clients every step of the way. We are in this together!

We make property investment approachable by stripping away the jargon, demystifying the process, and focusing on real-life outcomes. Whether it’s helping someone buy their first investment property or guiding them toward building a portfolio, we tailor our approach to meet people where they are — not where the industry or anyone else expects them to be.

It is also about having the right mindset. I remind people that you don’t need to be wealthy to start — you need to be willing. Willing to learn, to plan, and to take that first step. We offer access to resources, mentorship, and a values-led community that empowers people to move from hesitation to action.

Ultimately, this is about legacy. As I alluded to previously, you cannot pass your 9–5 job on to your children or loved ones, but you can pass on a property portfolio. That’s why I do what I do — to help everyday people like you and me, build something that lasts, something that transforms not just their finances, but their futures.

4. Your career has always balanced strong financial expertise with deep personal values. How do faith and integrity guide the decisions you make as a leader?

Nadine Okorefe:

Great question.

Faith and integrity are the compass points of my leadership. They are not just personal beliefs — they are the foundation of every decision I make, both in business and in life.

I have spent years navigating the complexities of global investment, managing multimillion-pound portfolios and leading strategic transformations. That kind of work demands precision, discipline, and deep financial expertise. But what truly sets the tone for how I lead is my faith — a quiet but unwavering belief that purpose must precede profit, and that success without integrity is hollow/meaningless.

My Christian faith teaches me to lead with humility, courage, and compassion. It reminds me that every person I work with — whether a client, colleague, or contractor — is more than a transaction. They are part of a story, and I have a responsibility to honour that. Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching. It means being transparent, keeping my word, and making decisions that align with my values, not just the bottom line.

At Anthony Grace Properties, we don’t cut corners. We don’t chase what’s “on trend.” We build with intention, and we serve with sincerity and dedication. That’s the legacy I inherited from my parents — and it’s the legacy I am committed to passing on. Faith gives me the courage to dream big and the resilience to keep going when things get tough. Integrity ensures that every step of that journey is grounded in trust.

In a world that often celebrates speed and scale, I choose depth and meaning. Because when you lead from a place of faith and integrity, you don’t just build a business — you build something that has generational impact.

5. As a mentor and advocate for diversity and inclusion, what changes would you like to see in the investment and property space to make it more open and supportive for new voices??

Nadine Okorefe:

Wow, that is another great question. When I first started my career in the investment industry, it was quite different from how things are now. At some places I worked, there were very few people of colour in senior leadership positions. I have also experienced being the only female or the only Black person in some spaces. The industry has, over the years, become much more diverse, but there is still more room for improvement.
The investment and property space has long been shaped by tradition — and while tradition has its place, it must never become a barrier to progress. I believe it is time to reimagine the industry through a lens of inclusion, access, and authenticity. Because when new voices are welcomed in, new possibilities emerge.

As someone who has navigated senior roles in global investment firms and now leads a values-driven property company, I’ve seen both the power and the limitations of the current system. Too often, the industry feels exclusive — reserved for those with the right connections, background, or pedigree. That needs to change.

I want to see more representation at every level — not just in entry roles, but in boardrooms, decision-making spaces, and ownership. We need to create pathways for people from underrepresented communities to not only participate, but to lead. That means mentorship, yes — but also funding, education, and intentional outreach. It means shifting from gatekeeping to bridge-building.

At Anthony Grace Properties, we are committed to making property investment feel accessible, relatable, and empowering. We speak in plain language, we meet people where they are, and we build trust through transparency. But beyond our firm, I want to see the industry embrace a culture that values lived experience as much as technical expertise. That celebrates diverse perspectives as a strategic advantage, not a checkbox.

Ultimately, inclusion is not just a moral imperative — it’s a business one. Diverse teams make better decisions. Inclusive spaces drive innovation. And when we open the doors wider, we don’t dilute excellence — we expand it.

My hope is that the next generation of investors and property leaders will not have to fight for a seat at the table. They’ll walk in knowing they belong — and they will build tables of their own.

6. Looking to the future, what is your bigger vision for Anthony Grace Properties? What kind of impact do you hope to leave on the next generation of investors and leaders??

Nadine Okorefe:
My viion for Anthony Grace Properties has always been bigger than bricks and mortar. It’s about building a movement — one that redefines property investment as a tool for empowerment, legacy, and lifestyle transformation.

I want Anthony Grace Properties to be known not just for the assets we manage, but for the lives we help shape. I see a future where everyday people — regardless of background — feel confident stepping into the world of property, equipped with knowledge, support, and a sense of purpose. Where investment isn’t reserved for the privileged few but becomes a pathway to freedom and generational impact.

For the next generation of investors and leaders, I hope to leave behind more than a business. I want to leave behind a blueprint. A values-led model that proves you can lead with integrity, build with intention, and still achieve excellence. I want young professionals — especially those from underrepresented communities — to see themselves reflected in this space. To know that their voice matters, their vision is valid, and their success is possible.

I also want to cultivate a community — a network of empowered investors who are building not just portfolios, but legacies. People who understand that wealth is not just about accumulation, but about contribution. That leadership is not just about position, but about impact.

Ultimately, I want Anthony Grace Properties to stand as a testament to what’s possible when faith, strategy, and heart come together. A legacy that honours my parents, uplifts others, and inspires future generations to dream boldly and build fearlessly.

Closing summaryy

Nadine Okorefe is more than a CEO — she’s a movement-maker. Through Anthony Grace Properies, she’s proving that property investment can be purposeful, inclusive, and transformational. Her journey from global finance to values-led entrepreneurship is a testament to what’s possible when vision meets conviction, and when legacy becomes the blueprint for leadership.

As she continues to build, mentor, and empower, Nadine is lighting the way for a new generation of investors — those who seek not just wealth, but meaning. Her story reminds us that the most powerful investments are the ones rooted in faith, integrity, and service.

To learn more about Anthony Grace Properties and join this exciting community of purpose-driven investors, please visit Anthony Grace Properties.