About Victor Michael Independent Estate Agents in Stratford– Property with Personality (Since 1988)
Victor Michael Estate Agents was born in 1988 when Victor and his partner Andrew opened his very first office in Kings Cross, London — back when fax machines were still cool, and property prices were… let’s just say, very different.
What started as two men’s mission to bring honesty, energy, and a bit of charm to the property world quickly turned into a respected name across East London. A few years in, Victor set up an office in Stratford (near Maryland Station), which is now the proud headquarters and buzzing heart of our operations.
Fast forward a few decades — and a whole lot of cups of tea later — Victor expanded the business with three more offices in Leytonstone, Canning Town, and Woodford Green. Why? Because good property advice shouldn’t be limited to just one postcode.
With nearly 40 years of experience, Victor knows the property game inside out — from lettings and sales to market trends and the occasional dodgy DIY job he’s spotted during valuations. His reputation as a hard-working, straight-talking, and trustworthy professional is well established in the East London community (and he still manages to crack a joke during stressful moves).
Victor’s mission? To make sure every client — whether buying, selling, renting, or just popping in for advice — receives first-class service, with a smile. At Victor Michael, we keep the property market local, lively, and just the right amount of fun.
Diana Soldan MBA
Head of Business Development (RICS, MARLA, MNAEA)
Meet Diana – Multilingual, Media-Savvy, and a Property Powerhouse
With over 15 years of experience in the property industry and more than 27 years in mass media and marketing (yes, she started very young), Diana brings a unique mix of creativity, strategy, and serious know-how to Victor Michael Estate Agents.
A qualified journalist with an MBA in Marketing, Diana joined Victor Michael in 2010 as a Lettings Negotiator in our Canning Town and Leytonstone offices. Just one year later, she stepped up as Branch Manager in Woodford Green, and by 2016, she was leading the charge in Business Development — because when you’re good, you’re good.
Known for her sharp mind, can-do attitude, and borderline obsession with excellent customer service, Diana has built deep expertise across Sales, Lettings, Marketing, and Business Growth. Basically, if it has anything to do with property, people, or promoting it — Diana’s your go-to.
Her professional credentials? Oh, just a few:
Member of RICS (The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)
Certified by ARLA, NAEA, and The Guild of Property Professionals
(We’d need a bigger business card.)
She’s also fluent in Romanian, French, Spanish, Italian, and German – which means she can sell your house and charm your in-laws, all before lunch.
Diana’s areas of expertise include (deep breath): Property Sales & Lettings, New Homes & Developments, Business Intelligence, Leadership, Media Relations, SEO, Social Media, PR, Marketing, Project Management, and more. She’s also been known to run a tight ship when it comes to event planning — and hotels, too.
In short: Diana wears many hats — and somehow, they all look great on her.
Piyush Khatri
Sales and Commercial Director
Meet Piyush – Our Sales & Commercial Dynamo
Piyush joined Victor Michael Estate Agents in 2008 and has been closing deals, building relationships, and expertly navigating the ever-changing property market ever since. Whether it’s a cosy flat, a bustling retail space, or an investment opportunity hiding in plain sight — Piyush knows how to make things happen.
As our Sales and Commercial Director, he brings deep expertise in both residential and commercial sales and lettings, and heads up our commercial department with a calm head and laser focus (plus the occasional strong coffee). His sharp instincts, strategic mindset, and approachable style make him a trusted figure for clients, investors, and colleagues alike.
Piyush is also a proud member of The Guild of Property Professionals, which means he brings not just experience, but also industry-recognised credibility to the table.
And if you ever want to discuss market trends in Gujarati or Hindi, Piyush has you covered there too.
Mrs Chris Barford
HR Manager (MARLA, MNAEA)
Meet Chris – The HR Hero & Policy Powerhouse
After spending years navigating the fast-paced world of finance, Chris decided to switch gears — and joined Victor Michael in June 2006 as a Lettings Negotiator. (We like to think the property world won that day.)
It didn’t take long for her talent to shine. Just one year in, she was promoted to Branch Manager, and within three years, she rose to Area Manager — proving that when it comes to hard work and leadership, Chris doesn’t mess around.
Today, Chris is the mastermind behind our Human Resources, staff training, and everything related to company policies, procedures, and compliance. If it involves onboarding, best practices, or making sure the office doesn’t descend into chaos — Chris is on it (and probably three steps ahead).
With her sharp eye for detail, no-nonsense attitude, and deep understanding of both people and process, Chris keeps the Victor Michael engine running smoothly — all while keeping the team happy, trained, and fully in line with the rulebook.
She’s the one who makes sure we do things right, and more importantly, do right by people.
Risha Jethwa
HR Coordinator
Meet Risha – The HR Whiz with a Can-Do Spirit
Risha joined Victor Michael in October 2022 and hit the ground running — quite literally. Since day one, she’s been soaking up knowledge in residential lettings, all while stepping into a key role as the leader of our HR department.
From handling HR-related matters with calm confidence to offering support across various areas of the business, Risha is the definition of a team player. Whether it’s helping a colleague navigate a policy or jumping into a project outside her usual remit, she’s always ready to roll up her sleeves and get involved.
Her growing list of skills and ever-reliable attitude make her an essential part of the Victor Michael engine room — keeping things running smoothly and people supported. (And yes, she’s also the one making sure everyone actually reads the HR emails.)
Risha is also an Associate of The Guild of Property Professionals, adding yet another feather to her already well-organised cap.
Kagan Dogan
Sales & Lettings
Meet Kagan – Turning Property Goals into Postcodes
Kagan joined Victor Michael in April 2025, diving headfirst into the world of Sales and Lettings — and he hasn’t looked back since. Armed with a growing arsenal of property knowledge and a genuine passion for helping people find the one (house, not soulmate…), Kagan is all about making the moving process smoother, smarter, and a lot less stressful.
Before stepping into property, Kagan built experience in estate agency, accounting, and retail — a combo that’s made him not only great with numbers, but also a natural when it comes to communication and client care. Whether he’s handling negotiations or guiding first-time buyers, he brings calm, clarity, and just the right amount of charm.
He’s also a proud member of The Guild of Property Professionals — because being good is great, but being Guild-approved is better.
Always learning, always helping, and always up for a challenge, Kagan is here to make your property journey feel a little more like an adventure — and a lot less like a headache.
Dora Ana
Office Administrator
Meet Dora – The Organised Force Behind the Front Desk
Dora joined Victor Michael Estate Agents in July 2023 and has been keeping the office in tip-top shape ever since. As Office Administrator, she’s the glue that holds the day-to-day operations together — the person who makes sure everything runs smoothly while the rest of the team chases down deals and dream homes.
With a background in sales and a degree in Business and Management, Dora brings the perfect mix of structure, smarts, and calm under pressure. From managing admin tasks to keeping everyone (and everything) on track, she ensures nothing falls through the cracks — not even the pens.
Since stepping into the world of residential sales and lettings, she’s quickly built up her knowledge and proved herself to be a natural fit for the property world. Multitasker? Check. Problem-solver? Definitely. Coffee-fueled spreadsheet ninja? Most days, yes.
Dora is also a proud member of The Guild of Property Professionals, which means she’s not just efficient — she’s officially recognised for it.
Victoria Webb
Property Management Manager
Meet Victoria – A True Property Pro (With a Decade of Know-How)
Victoria has been part of the Victor Michael family since 2013, bringing with her a solid background in Residential Sales, Lettings, and Property Management — basically, if it involves property, Victoria’s done it, sorted it, and probably made it look effortless along the way.
With years of hands-on experience and a can-do attitude, she’s become a trusted name among clients and colleagues alike. Whether she’s handling a repair, smoothing out a letting, or managing properties with precision, Victoria knows how to get things done — the right way, the first time.
She’s also an Associate member of The Guild of Property Professionals, adding a little extra polish to her already top-tier credentials.
Reliable, knowledgeable, and quietly unstoppable — Victoria is proof that experience really does make all the difference.
Kelly Rowlatt
Property Manager
Meet Kelly – From Office Hero to Property Management Pro
Kelly joined Victor Michael back in July 2007 (before smartphones ruled the world) and quickly became the heartbeat of our Leytonstone branch. Starting as an Office Administrator, she kept the wheels turning smoothly — juggling tasks, solving problems, and making sure the Lettings and Sales teams had everything they needed to shine.
If it needed doing, Kelly did it — usually before anyone had to ask.
After years of keeping the front lines running like clockwork, Kelly made the move to the Property Management Department, where she continues to grow her expertise and tackle the behind-the-scenes magic that keeps tenants happy and landlords stress-free.
A true all-rounder with a wealth of hands-on experience, Kelly is also an Associate of The Guild of Property Professionals — just one more reason we’re glad she’s on our side.
Organised, efficient, and always ready with a solution (and probably a spare stapler), Kelly is the kind of person every office wishes they had.
