Blackfriars November 2026 Meeting

The Gambler - What Kenny Rogers and other professional risk-takers can teach us about business and investing - Andy Babbayan

Andy Babbayan will share a powerful and thought-provoking presentation...

Drawing on over 25 years in property, involvement in more than £150 million of projects, his experience as a CEO, and a background as a British Army Bomb Disposal Officer, Andy brings a unique perspective on risk, decision-making and capital preservation. Combined with an MSc in Risk Management, his approach challenges conventional thinking around property investing and business growth.
In this talk, Andy reframes business and investing as a series of calculated risks. Using timeless principles from professional gambling, he explains why success is less about chasing opportunities and more about managing downside, structuring decisions properly, and knowing when to act — or not act. This is a practical and highly relevant framework for today’s market conditions, where discipline and clarity are becoming more important than ever.

During Andy’s presentation you will learn:

• Why every business and property decision is fundamentally a risk decision
• How professional investors think about probability, consequence and downside protection
• The critical importance of capital preservation and structuring deals correctly
• How to identify when to commit to a deal, walk away, or cut losses early
• Why discipline, patience and decision-making frameworks outperform instinct and optimism

ALSO... Bring Back Balance - Katie Harvey 

In this presentation, Katie will guide you through the keys to achieving long-term balance, sharing proven techniques and insights to help you reclaim your energy, focus, and clarity. Whether you’re looking to overcome burnout or simply create a more fulfilling way of working, this session will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Katie Harvey is the founder of the b.reathe Blueprint, a transformative program designed to help entrepreneurs prevent burnout, restore balance, and achieve sustainable success. With years of experience in business leadership, property investment, and coaching, Katie has seen first-hand the toll that stress and overwhelm take on entrepreneurs. She created the b.reathe Blueprint to provide practical tools and actionable strategies for managing stress, building healthy habits, and thriving in both business and life.