Philip Harvey

Spear’s Review

‘I’m an eternal optimist; I know we can help people,’ says Philip Harvey, senior partner at Property Vision.

Harvey and his fellow agents advise on the sale and acquisition of prime and super-prime property in London, in the country and internationally, dealing with properties valued in the tens, if not hundreds, of millions.

Since 2001, when he joined the firm, Harvey has advised entrepreneurs, financial services executives and high-profile clients; he reports that over half are returning clients, and one has bought with him nearly 20 times.

How does Harvey keep his clients faithful? He tells Spear’s: ‘We want to identify with our clients emotionally ... We want to make sure that when our clients buy something they love it, and they want to go and spend time there. No compromises.’

Adviser Profile

Following a brief flirtation with music management, Philip’s career started in commercial property and portfolio management before moving to high-value London residential sales. In 2001 he joined Property Vision, tasked with building the business in the south east, before heading the country team in 2013 and stepping up to his current role as senior partner in 2018.

‘We live in a world of fine margins,’ says Philip. ‘Understanding the qualitative factors which make one house truly world-class, and another merely special, is a skill which can only be attained by getting out and seeing everything.’ Philip now looks after clients with the most significant budgets who want the best of the best and aren’t fixated on one location. In many ways the ‘it can be anywhere, it just needs to be special’ brief is a nightmare, but, if we know it exists and might be achievable in a price range that suits the client, it is only a matter of time and diligent pursuit to achieve it.

‘I need to hear what’s really important to the client to get as close to their perfect as possible. Whilst many think they want the same as others with their budget, that is not my experience. You only have to look at how people specify their supercars or yachts to see how individual people are, and houses are no different.’

Philip has worked for many truly remarkable people; however, he hopes that when on an active search with a client, they never doubt for a moment that his total focus is on them and their requirements. He only takes on clients he knows he can help, and his success rate is close to 100 per cent. ‘I never give up. Helping people find their dream home is both a joy and a privilege. But, equally, the kick I get when we’ve achieved the seemingly impossible is what continues to drive me.’

Rank: Top Flight