ABOUT US

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou

Welcome to Empowered Edge, a London-based properties business with a purpose.

Founded in 2024 by Ania Shefford and Olivia Finn, Empowered Edge sells, stages and renovates beautiful properties across London. We’re not your high street estate agent – our goal is to empower our clients, making one of the biggest decisions of your life one of the best experiences of your life. We’re a pioneering women-owned outlier on a mission to raise the bar in an industry that is in desperate need of a shake-up.

With backgrounds in sports, marketing, sales and recruitment, we have decades of experience at the highest levels of our fields, working with some of the biggest brands and organisations in the world. Our unique combination of knowledge, skills and experience enables us to offer unparalleled standards of service, leading with empathy and putting people before profit.

Ania and Olivia - Empowered Edge Founders

WHO WE ARE

Ania Shefford – Co-Founder

Ania comes from a family of professional athletes and has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the sports industry, collaborating with the world’s most famous brands, athletes, and events in the world, including Nike, Lenovo, Rafael Nadal, Lauren James, the women’s and men’s UEFA European Championships (Euros), and the Australian Open. Her personal achievements and the campaigns she’s worked on have been shortlisted for numerous awards, and she has also appeared on judging panels for several sporting awards and competitions.

Ania’s passion for property and renovation has been nurtured from a young age, thanks to countless projects she undertook with her father. Her remarkable vision combined with a fierce entrepreneurial spirit has seen this develop into a thriving career, which she juggled alongside her day job in sports; buying, renovating and letting multiple properties across England and Europe.

Whether working solo or managing a team, Ania prides herself on consistently turning her client’s visions into reality with remarkable precision, embedding excellent communication throughout the process.

While running Empowered Edge, Ania continues to work in the sports industry, dedicating her time, energy, and expertise to investing in and growing women’s sports. She hopes the success of Empowered Edge will support this mission, and dreams one day of owning a women’s football club.

Olivia Finn – Co-Founder

Olivia is a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins at the University of the Arts London, where she cultivated her passion for creativity and design. With over 15 years of experience in residential refurbishment project management, Olivia has established herself as a standout in the industry.

She began her career managing projects for a London developer before launching her own refurbishment business, where she led a team of builders delivering high-end renovations.

Olivia’s unique blend of hands-on design expertise and meticulous project oversight allows her to offer full turnkey management, from initial consultation through to the selection of soft furnishings, ensuring that every project is as stylish as it is functional, and she is known for her incredible eye for interior design.

In addition to her work in residential projects, Olivia transitioned into construction recruitment, specialising in engineering and sustainability. For over a decade, she has been at the forefront of recruitment within the construction and building services sectors, merging her property background with her dedication to facilitating mutually beneficial partnerships that drive innovation and excellence in the built environment.

Laura Melville-Brown – Brighton & Hove Lead

Laura is an interior designer, property renovator and relocation support specialist with a strong focus on helping people create homes that feel personal, functional and beautifully put together. Her career has moved through education, design and property, giving her a practical, people-centred approach that clients say feels calm, honest and reassuring.

Her interest in homes began early, growing up around antiques, renovation projects and a family who appreciated craftsmanship. Over the past decade, Laura has designed and delivered a range of residential interiors in the South West and South East, several of which have been featured in publications such as Period Living and Devon Life. She is known for mixing vintage character with modern comfort, sourcing unique pieces and creating warm, lived-in spaces with a clear sense of identity.

Alongside her design work, Laura has hands-on experience buying, selling and renovating properties, as well as managing holiday lets and long-term rentals.

Through Empowered Edge, Laura brings together her strengths in design, renovation, people support and relocation guidance. She hopes to help shape a property service in Brighton & Hove that feels more open, more personal and more design-led, giving clients the confidence to make decisions that genuinely work for them.

★★★★★

“Ania and Olivia have been absolutely brilliant… we viewed a lot of houses and not a single estate agency impressed us as much as this one did.”

Georgia, a buyer

ABOUT OUR APPROACH

Buying, selling, letting or renovating a property can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. But we know from experience that it can also be one of the most stressful and emotional, and the industry can often feel intimidating and inaccessible, especially for women and marginalised communities.

Personable

We want to do things differently. That’s why we take a person-centred approach to property and will go at your pace, listening to and respecting your individual history and circumstances. Whatever your story, whatever your needs, you’re at home with Empowered Edge.

Passionate

We have a shared passion for property, we know what we’re talking about, and we’re personable, genuine and honest. We are committed to providing quality, tailored service from beginning to end, and making sure whether you’re buying, selling, letting or renovating, that you have the best possible experience.

Empowering

Empowered Edge is proud to be women-owned and led and we believe in celebrating, empowering and investing in women. We have ambitions of supporting other women-owned businesses, sponsoring women’s sports teams, and building a legacy that will inspire others. But Empowered Edge is not just for those who identify as female – we’re for anyone who buys into our vision of a better approach to property.

We love meeting our clients and hearing your stories, and whatever the journey you’re on, we want to make it a positive one.

★★★★★

“Thank you for listening”

Lucy and James, sellers

GET IN TOUCH

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation or with any questions. We’re always happy to hear from potential clients or partners.

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