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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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His key strengths include attention to detail, financial diligence, deal structuring & negotiation.
AKEEL ALIDINA
Group Executive Director
Akeel joined Caridon shortly after its inception in 2009 and has been instrumental in the company’s strategic growth. With strong leadership and management skills, he continues to drive business development and innovation.
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He has a BSc in Economics and prior to joining Caridon, gained corporate experience working at GE Money Home Lending, as well as managing a small portfolio of properties in London via professional room shares and HMOs.
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Beyond his corporate achievements, Akeel is a thought leader in business, contributing articles to publications like London Business Matters and sharing insights on LinkedIn.
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Passionate about giving back, Akeel is heavily involved within his local community and mentors young professionals with their professional development through his local community school and also London’s CASS Business School, preparing students for higher education and the workplace. He also supports aspiring entrepreneurs through microfinance, seed investment, and mentorship.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Stefano Rinaldi
Group Managing Director
Stefano is an accomplished leader with a wealth of experience the health and social care and housing sector, specialising in providing high-quality support and housing for individuals with complex and enduring mental health needs. With a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Stefano has a deep understanding of psychological models of human behaviours, championing a humanistic approach to the delivery of high quality provision.
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Stefano’s career began in clinical settings, where he gained valuable experience working across various in-patient environments. His passion for improving the lives of individuals with mental health challenges led him to take on leadership roles where he could drive meaningful change and positive outcomes.
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In 2015, Stefano took over New Directions Flexible Social Care Solutions as Managing Director, and under his leadership, the company achieved remarkable success. His visionary approach and dedication to quality care led New Directions to become only the second supported living provider in England to receive the prestigious "Outstanding" rating from the Care Quality Commission. This milestone was a testament to Stefano’s ability to lead organisations towards excellence while maintaining a strong commitment to service users’ well-being.
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Following a successful £27 million exit into Civitas-backed Envivo Group in 2020, Stefano’s expertise and strategic insight were further recognised. Prior to joining Caridon, Stefano served as the Managing Director of Ivolve Group, one of the largest providers of specialist care in England and Wales and he has brought his wealth of experience to Caridon to guide us through our next phase of growth and transformation.
Paul Bridge
Group Business Development Director
Paul Bridge is a highly respected leader in social housing and impact investment, with over 30 years of experience in housing investment, regeneration, and policy.
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Before joining Caridon, Paul was the first employee at Civitas Investment Management and acted as CEO to the social housing division that developed the UK’s largest social housing REIT, which grew to over £1 billion of assets. He also served as Chief Executive of Homes for Haringey, overseeing 23,000 homes, 1,200 staff, and a £250 million investment programme that earned ‘Housing Organisation of the Year’ in 2012. Paul has also held senior roles at Hyde Group and non-executive positions with MTVH, The Housing Forum, and Thames Valley Charitable Housing Association.
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Beyond his housing sector leadership, Paul founded the Clive Smith Foundation to improve mental health and tackle the stigma of suicide in the sector.
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Paul works alongside the Caridon executive team to expand the company’s portfolio, drive strategic partnerships, and deliver its goal of providing 10,000 homes for those most in need while exploring new opportunities for socially impactful investment.
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.
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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.
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Committed to precision in financial management, Abid is dedicated to strengthening businesses through sound financial strategies and robust internal frameworks.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.