LPF Christmas Soirée at Ginza St James's, Mayfair
The Luxury Property Forum’s Christmas Soiree: Celebrating Success and Welcoming a Transformative New Chapter for Founder Priya Rawal
The Luxury Property Forum (The LPF) hosted its highly anticipated annual (early) Christmas Soiree at the elegant Ginza St James’s in Mayfair last week. The event drew over 200 guests from across the luxury property sector for an evening that blended fine dining, festive cheer, and an announcement that marked a pivotal moment for The LPF. Founder Priya Rawal revealed her decision to conclude her decade-long tenure at CMS UK to dedicate herself fully to The LPF, with plans to take the forum to a new global level.
Since its founding five years ago, The LPF has established itself as the official forum for the luxury property industry, fostering collaboration and innovation among developers, architects, agents, designers, contractors, lawyers, private banks, project managers, and specialist advisers. With nearly 200 member businesses contributing to some of the most prestigious projects worldwide, The LPF has become a movement, uniting professionals across the superprime sector to share knowledge, build relationships, and elevate the industry.
A Dazzling Evening at Ginza St James’s
The evening unfolded at Ginza St James’s, a fine dining Japanese restaurant renowned for its innovative cuisine and exceptional service. Guests enjoyed freshly hand-rolled sushi, delicate sashimi, exquisite canapés, and an immersive teppanyaki experience that added culinary theatre to the night. Premium sake and signature cocktails paired perfectly with the dishes, while the elegant setting created a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere for reflection, networking, and celebration.
“Ginza St James’s provided the ideal backdrop for this special evening,” said Priya Rawal in her speech. “Richard and his team have created a setting that’s not only beautiful but perfectly fitting for the calibre of people in this room.”
The guest list was a who’s who of the luxury property sector, featuring representatives from Qatari Diar, Charlton Brown Architects, Orilina Properties, David Collins Studio, The OWO, Maison Communications, Echlin, Forsters LLP, Deutsche Bank, Gardiner & Theobald, WestOne Loans, Glancy Fawcett, Finchatton, Constructure, Rhodium, Hill House Interiors, Blick Rothenberg, CapitalRise, Formation Architects, 11K Consulting, RW Armstrong, Sotheby’s International Realty, Grangewood, Collier Webb, Meraki Design, Kingbridge, Molteni & Co., Lightfield London, Burbeck Interiors, Amesten Developments, Marcus Barnett Studio, The London Broker, Angel O'Donnell, V1, Verve Concepts, Sectorlight, Louise Bradley, Lawrence Stephens, Lanserring, Walton Wagner, Nash Baker Architects, Ideaworks, ING Media, Egan Lucocq, SMC, Eccord, House of Red, Saentys, Cassina, Accouter Group of Companies, Interiors with Art, EE Smith and Morgan Rae, along with over 100 more. The incredible guestlist emphasised The LPF’s far-reaching influence and appeal. The event also provided an ideal platform for guests to strengthen old connections and establish new ones, reflecting The LPF’s ongoing mission to facilitate collaboration and opportunity.
A Tribute to Priya Rawal: Alistair McGrigor’s Full Speech
One of the highlights of the evening was a heartfelt speech from Alistair McGrigor, Partner in the construction team at CMS, who shared his reflections on Priya’s incredible achievements:
“Good evening everyone, it’s a pleasure to see so many of you here tonight at the Luxury Property Forum’s Christmas Soiree.
I am Alistair McGrigor, a partner in the construction team at the law firm CMS.
I first met Priya 10 years ago, when I interviewed her for a role at our firm – and it was clear from the start that she was an incredibly engaging and outgoing person who thrived on interactions with others. Many of you will know that, alongside all the wonderful things Priya has done with the LPF, she has also maintained a fruitful career as a lawyer with us at CMS, working with some of our most demanding clients and on complex projects – and it will be no surprise to you that the fabulous skills and qualities that Priya has demonstrated with the LPF have enabled her to prosper in her legal career as well.
When Priya first raised the idea of her launching a luxury property networking organisation (at the same time she told us she was pregnant) I have to admit I was concerned that this was going to be too much – the experiences of others on maternity leave seemed usually to involve a struggle to manage the daily routine, let alone launch and grow a whole new venture. But of course I shouldn’t have doubted Priya - her tenacity and drive meant nothing could stop her, and she absolutely rose to the challenge. She told us that having worked in high end construction for so long, she wanted to create a community where there was a sense of mutual respect and understanding across the value chain and create an environment she could showcase the expertise harnessed by the industry. I think she’s succeeded….
It wasn’t an easy ride either – straight away there were hurdles to overcome, not least from apathetic veterans of the industry who already had established and longstanding networks to challenges in the very earliest days from competitors who clearly foresaw the emergence of a powerful new grouping in the luxury property industry. And at the moment when things looked set for the first large scale “in person” LPF event, the arrival of COVID and lockdowns prompted a massive readjustment. But Priya was not to be deterred – the virtual networking events she set up during COVID were one of the first of their kind, and in fact garnered much warmth for the LPF amongst its early members, for whom the sessions were something of a sociability lifeline. Providing knowledge and insight to the industry became even more important, with the first webinar bringing in an audience of 350 people and I know, the LPF draws in even larger crowds worldwide today.
That ability to adapt and evolve has been a hallmark of Priya and her team in the five years since then – and they have achieved amazing things, evidenced by this collaborative network of almost 200 incredible businesses delivering some of the most prestigious projects for clients in the UK and indeed globally.
Priya has successfully achieved that most difficult of objectives – the creation of a real community, that thrives because its members help each other and share their insights, experience and contacts as a collective. Help always seems at hand through the WhatsApp groups and discussion forums – and all strengthened by fabulous events such as tonight, where members can catch up with old friends and make new relationships. All alongside maintaining her career as a senior associate in our firm, giving clients and our team her utmost and even taking on an extended secondment at one of the firm’s biggest clients .
However, such is the success of the LPF, that Priya has in the last few weeks had the vision and confidence to conclude her chapter with our firm, in order to devote all her time and effort to take the LPF on to a whole new level. We’ll be sorry to see her go, but as friends and supporters of Priya and of course members of the LPF we will at least have a fantastic forum through which to keep in touch. Priya herself will tell you more of her plans, but on the basis of what she has achieved to date, I cannot believe she will not make a resounding success of this next step in the LPF journey.
So please can we raise a glass to Priya and the next chapter.”
Priya Rawal’s Vision for The LPF: Full Speech
Taking to the stage, Priya delivered an emotional and forward-thinking speech:
"Good evening everyone. Thank you, Alistair, for those incredibly kind words. You have been an integral part of my journey and your support and mentorship over the years, both professionally and personally, have meant the world to me, and I will always be grateful.
I also want to extend my thanks to CMS, a place that’s been my home for a decade. Many of my colleagues are here tonight, and I owe so much of who I am today to your camaraderie, friendship, and belief in me. Leaving is certainly a bold step, but when you have something as extraordinary as this community—The Luxury Property Forum—you owe it everything.
A huge thank you as well to Ginza St James’s for hosting us. Richard and his team have created a setting that’s not only beautiful but perfectly fitting for the calibre of people in this room.
I want you to take a moment to look around. This room is filled with people shaping the future of the luxury property sector. The LPF isn’t just a network; it’s a movement. It’s a place where real relationships are forged, where collaboration drives success, and where opportunities are created. In a world that’s constantly shifting, having a community like this is invaluable.
After five incredible years, we’re just getting started. We will keep strengthening relationships, harnessing insights, and sharing knowledge that is vital to your businesses. And importantly, we’ll do it together. This year, we’re taking The LPF global—not just for the sake of growth, but to create meaningful opportunities and deliver even more value. We’ve expanded our team to ensure we’re growing wider and deeper, and I can’t wait to share more in the weeks ahead and team, I cannot wait to work with you.
But let’s also acknowledge the reality we’re facing. With economic uncertainties, shifting global leadership, and ongoing conflicts, our industry needs a strong, unified voice more than ever. We’re not here to simply observe—we’re here to influence. The LPF is committed to making our voice heard. We are an important part of the puzzle, and it’s high time we were properly represented. Over the next year, I’ll be working closely with industry leaders to ensure we’re advocating where it matters most.
As we close out this year, let’s not just celebrate what we’ve accomplished but get energised for what’s to come. And before we all get lost in the festivities, I want you to look around once more. There are over 200 incredible people in this room. I challenge you to engage with someone new tonight. Ask for help—a connection, a piece of advice, or just a sounding board. Remember, the collective network of everyone here extends to thousands more, and the knowledge in this room is truly infinite.
So with that, Merry Christmas, and here’s to a future full of opportunity.”
About Ginza St James’s
Ginza St James’s is a fine dining Japanese restaurant offering a modern twist on traditional flavours. With a menu that includes delicate sashimi, expertly grilled wagyu beef, and artisanal sushi rolls, the dishes reflect both creativity and precision. Guests can enjoy premium sake, Japanese whiskey, and other beverages, carefully curated to complement the culinary experience. Ginza’s meticulous attention to detail and warm hospitality have made it a sought-after destination in the heart of Mayfair.
A New Chapter for The LPF
The Luxury Property Forum Christmas Soiree was more than a celebration—it was the launchpad for an exciting new chapter. With Priya Rawal now leading The LPF full-time, the forum is set to expand its global reach, deepen its impact, and continue shaping the future of the superprime property sector.
get in touch - ginza st james
Ginza St James
15 Bury Street St. James’s London SW1Y 6AL
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