I Built a £12M Property Business – Here’s Why I’m Not Leaving It to My Children

When I started my property business two decades ago, I was broke, exhausted, and full of fire. Today, that fire still burns, but it's different—it’s no longer just about building wealth, it’s about defining what legacy really means.

My property empire is now worth over £12 million. From residential developments in Manchester to commercial spaces in Birmingham, I’ve built every inch of it from scratch. But despite what most would assume, I’ve made a deeply personal—and somewhat controversial—decision: I’m not leaving it to my children.

Let me be clear. I love my kids. They’re bright, compassionate, and growing into remarkable individuals. But that doesn’t mean they’re entitled to what I built. In fact, the very thought of handing over my life's work to them just because of shared DNA feels like an insult to the blood, sweat, and sleepless nights that went into creating it.

Inheritance Can Be a Crutch

We live in a world where wealth can spoil more than it can empower. I’ve seen it too often—second-generation entrepreneurs who never tasted failure, who treat inherited businesses like safety nets rather than springboards. The fire I had at 27? I want my children to find their own version of that.

Handing them millions might seem like love, but it can just as easily be a gilded cage—removing their need to strive, to struggle, to grow.

They’ll Have My Support, Not My Assets

This doesn’t mean I’m cutting them off. They’ll get world-class education, mentorship, and emotional backing. I’ll help them start businesses if they choose to. But the empire? That’s going elsewhere—into a charitable trust, supporting housing initiatives for vulnerable communities. A fitting use for a business built around roofs and walls.

My dream is to leave behind values, not valuables. Resilience, work ethic, curiosity—those are the real heirlooms.

It’s Time to Break the Mold

Many people will call this selfish or unorthodox. “Why build so much if not for your children?” they ask. But I believe legacy is not about transferring wealth—it’s about transferring purpose.

If my children build something of their own—whether it’s in tech, art, education, or property—I’ll be their biggest cheerleader. But I want them to earn that journey, not inherit mine.

Too many empires collapse because the second generation inherited assets but not ambition. I’m not going to let that happen.

So no, I’m not leaving my £12 million property business to my children.

I’m leaving them something far more powerful: the chance to build their own.