Being a successful property developer isn’t about luck, it’s about strategy, focus, and building the right skills over time. Ewan Dudding started young, working multiple jobs to save money, and turned that determination into a £25 million property portfolio by 28. Now operating from Dubai, managing 170 units, 25-30 refurbishments at once, and running a mortgage brokerage completing millions in bridging loans every month, his journey is a masterclass in scaling a property business.

In this episode of our podcast, Ewan shares not just the deals but the mindset, strategies, and lessons that got him here and what aspiring developers can take from his experience.

Start small, scale fast

Ewan’s first foray into property was modest: one flat at a time. But even early on, he had a relentless focus on the next deal.

He explains how he leveraged simple buy-refurbish-refinance strategies to grow his portfolio quickly. For example, he purchased properties in Glasgow, doing minor refurbishments like kitchens, bathrooms, and paint, avoiding structural work to keep deals fast. By splitting titles and refinancing, he was able to release cash for future deals, sometimes getting 80% loan-to-value, turning modest investments into significant capital for scaling.

Key takeaway: Focus on a repeatable, fast-moving strategy. Start small, master the process, then scale, letting each completed project fund the next.

The power of mindset and team

Beyond numbers, Ewan emphasises attitude. Early on, he worked multiple jobs to save, trained in financial services, and absorbed lessons from each step. But equally important is the team around you. Builders, letting agents, lenders, having reliable people handling each part allows a developer to focus on strategy and deal flow.

Key takeaway: Your mindset and your network are as important as your capital. Surround yourself with skilled people and maintain a relentless focus on opportunities.

Keep it simple and repeatable

One of the recurring themes in Ewan’s property strategy is simplicity. He avoids complex planning or structural work, preferring fast-turnaround refurbishments that can be refinanced quickly.

By keeping a simple, repeatable model, Ewan can manage dozens of refurbishments at once while keeping his business scalable.

Key takeaway: Complex doesn’t always mean better. A straightforward, repeatable process lets you scale faster, fund more projects, and reduce risk.

Why you need to listen

Ewan Dudding’s story isn’t just inspiring, it’s actionable. From starting small, mastering repeatable refurb strategies, building a team, and scaling to £25,000,000 portfolio value, every insight on this episode can help you accelerate your own property journey.

If you want to learn the exact strategies behind Ewan Dudding property growth, listen to the full podcast episode now and discover how he turns simple deals into a multi-million-pound portfolio.