Our Team

Mario Carrozzo

Founder/Group CEO

Mario is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning Caridon Group and oversees corporate growth, strategic planning, and operational direction. With over 30 years in the property industry, he has built a multi-million-pound portfolio valued at over £200 million, starting with his first property purchase at just 18.

.

In 2009, Mario pioneered one of London’s first rent guarantee schemes through Caridon Property, laying the foundation for a group of companies united by a shared vision, to challenge conventional thinking in social housing and make a lasting impact. Guided by strong social values and a commitment to economic viability, he continues to drive innovation in affordable housing, ensuring sustainable, long-term solutions and is committed to creating a positive impact on society.

.

Beyond property, Mario has strategic interests in sectors including social care, childcare services, information technology, commercial finance, and environmental initiatives. His dedication to corporate social responsibility shapes the Group’s mission, with a firm commitment to creating new opportunities, improving housing fairness, and tackling homelessness.

.

Under his leadership, Caridon Group has expanded rapidly, delivering high-quality homes to over 30 boroughs across London and the Southeast. Caridon has housed tens of thousands of individuals, and manages a portfolio of more than 2,500 properties. Privately funded and focused on social impact, the Group has set an ambitious goal of developing 10,000 homes by 2030.

.

A highly respected property entrepreneur, industry campaigner and dedicated family man, Mario continues to apply the same energy and determination to every project he undertakes. His passion towards social responsibility guides the vision of the Caridon Group, which aims to create new opportunities and fairer housing for all.

“Always lead by example, believe in what you do and why you do it!”

ABBAS ALIDINA

Co-Founder/Group CFO

As Group CFO, Abbas oversees all aspects of Caridon’s commercial growth, financial diligence, and strategic planning, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the social housing sector.

.

With over two decades of experience in real estate investment, procurement, lettings, and management, Abbas is a specialist in the low-income housing market and his academic background in accounting and finance enables him to add strategic value across multiple areas of the group.

.

His role in Caridon Group has evolved, since joining in 2009, encompassing many positions including Portfolio Manager, Chief Operating Officer and Group Managing Director. This has given him wide exposure to many aspects of the business beginning at the grass roots and he was integral in creating the infrastructure to underpin our future growth.

.

His key strengths include attention to detail, financial diligence, deal structuring & negotiation. 

Jennifer Carrozzo

Group Executive Director

Jennifer brings 30 years of experience in finance, with a strong foundation in accounting and financial reporting. She began her career at a leading firm of chartered accountants, specialising in entertainment, media, and high-net-worth individuals. She then transitioned into the pensions industry, where, as a Pension Fund Accountant, she provided financial reporting for multi-million-pound pension schemes.

.

Since joining Caridon in 2009, Jennifer has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s ethos. Her expertise spans multiple areas of the business, with a primary focus on Finance and HR. A key driver of our people and culture strategy, she is dedicated to ensuring that people remain a core focus of our business. She excels in detailed analysis, troubleshooting, and team leadership.

.

With her practical, hands-on approach, Jennifer continues to influence Caridon’s growth and future developments.

LORA BENCHEIKH

Group Executive Director

At the helm of the Caridon Group, Lora's focus is on steering our mission towards providing innovative affordable housing solutions.

.

With a background that combines over a quarter-century in real estate and management, she brings a unique blend of leadership and property management expertise to the table.

.

During Caridon’s early growth phase, she played a pivotal role in expanding its network of independent landlords. Her strong consumer relations skills, dedication to client service, and tireless work ethic quickly established her as a key figure in the company’s success.

.

Through a combination of strategic vision and hands-on experience in commercial real estate, she is dedicated to making a positive social impact by delivering quality and value to our clients and partners. With accolades in leadership, she advocates for effective property management practices that align with Caridon's growth and success.

Abid Anwar

Group Finance Director

With over 30 years of experience in the finance industry, Abid has served on the Board of Directors for several companies, bringing expertise in business strategy, financial forecasting, budget management, and strong internal controls. He has played a key role in corporate expansion initiatives and has extensive experience in property management, ERP deployment, and financial performance reporting.

.

Abid holds a MBA in Finance and Accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant, and a Fellow member of the Institute. His deep industry knowledge and strategic insights help drive financial excellence and long-term success.

.

Committed to precision in financial management, Abid is dedicated to strengthening businesses through sound financial strategies and robust internal frameworks.

James Ferrar

Group Property Director

James is a dynamic and accomplished Property Director with over 15 years of experience in the property and construction industry. With expertise in the social housing and social care sectors, he leads an award-winning property team dedicated to making a real difference.

.

James has successfully overseen the acquisition, development, and management of high-value residential and commercial properties. Known for his strategic approach to asset management, he has collaborated with Tier 1 contractors and clients, guiding projects from conception to completion while ensuring optimal returns on investment.

.

A natural leader, James is passionate about empowering his team and fostering a people-first approach to housing. With a commitment to integrity, resilience, and innovation, he continues to drive Caridon’s growth, solidifying its position as a leader in social housing and improving the sector.

James Evans II

Group Housing Director (Regional)

Originally from the United States, James began his career serving ten years in the U.S. Air Force, where he gained invaluable leadership experience, including three years as a Military Training Instructor. After relocating to the UK, he began working in the housing sector in 2003 with a large non-profit housing association in London, helping to deliver essential temporary accommodation and introducing improved operational strategies.

James later led a flagship mixed-tenure development of over 850 homes for another housing association, encompassing market rent, shared ownership, outright sales, supported housing, and long-term NHS keyworker accommodation.

With more than 18 years of senior management experience across social, private, and supported housing, James leads the regionals teams as our Group Housing Director. A transformational leader, he is committed to strengthening systems and processes as the company continues to expand, while maintaining the family values that define Caridon’s ethos. A firm believer that “there is no I in team,” James leads with collaboration, integrity, and a focus on excellence.

Nasser Halabi

Group Housing Director (London)

Nasser has a diverse international background, having grown up in West Africa, the UK, the Middle East, and the USA. Fluent in Arabic, he was introduced to the property business at an early age through his father’s work in land acquisition and development. After completing a Business degree at the University of Southern California, Nasser began his career in sales and marketing with leading global organisations.

In 1995, Nasser moved to London, taking on a customer service management role before progressing to joint director. He managed multiple showrooms and a warehouse while leading a high-performing sales team, and also oversaw overseas manufacturing to enhance quality control and reduce defects. His success in sales, operations, and customer relations ultimately led him to transition into the property sector.

In 2015, Nasser joined Caridon Property as a Portfolio Manager, applying his expertise in relationship management and customer service to support the company’s continued growth. He progressed to Regional Portfolio Manager, and now serves as Group Housing Director. In this role, he oversees the London team and manages landlord and agent relationships across London. Nasser’s leadership and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen the Caridon brand and expand its portfolio.

Anthony Badresingh

Group HR Director

Anthony brings over 20 years of expertise in Employment Law, Recruitment, Employee Engagement, and HR Policy & Procedures. Prior to his career in Human Resources, he worked as a Legal Executive for several reputable City law firms, specialising in property law.

.

Throughout his career, Anthony has led key HR initiatives, advising line managers on best practices in recruitment, employment law, and policy implementation. He excels at motivating executives, managers, and cross-functional teams to drive outstanding business results aligned with company vision.