Brighton 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...The Light Bulb Moment -  Jeff Topp 

Jeff Topp, from pin’s preferred utilities supplier - Full Power Utilities – will be sharing his knowledge and expertise about utility management and helping us to minimise the associated headache and costs.               
Normally a substantial running cost for HMO/Serviced Accommodation operators, Jeff will inform you of the different options available to you with regards the procurement and management of your gas and electricity supply. 

During his talk, Jeff will cover several topics, including:

• How to minimise/remove the headache associated with managing your (growing) portfolio’s utilities.
• How a commercial utility rate can be secured on a domestic use property (without VAT implications).
• How to protect yourself from inevitable price increases and additional charges.
• How to avoid dealing with the suppliers!
• It’s not just utilities that savings can be found