When Asim Erturk, Founder and Managing Director of Londonist DMC, learned that he had been named among the Top 100 Most Influential People in the UK for 2025, his first reaction was disbelief.
“I remember asking myself, why did they choose me? But when I looked through the list, I realised what connected all of us was purpose. Every single person was making a difference in their field and that made me proud, because that’s what I’ve always tried to do too.”
For Asim, the recognition was not only an honour but a personal moment of reflection. Having arrived in London from Turkey in 2006 with just £200 and limited English, he knows what it feels like to start from nothing in an unfamiliar country. The challenges he faced as a young international student, from finding accommodation to adapting to life in the UK, became the driving force behind his business idea. In 2013, he founded Londonist DMC to help students like himself find a home away from home.
Today, Londonist DMC has grown from a small start-up with 30 rooms into a global group with over 2,000 residences across prime London locations and operations in Turkey, China and the UK, supporting over 15,000 students annually. Through his leadership, Asim has not only redefined the student living experience but also set new standards in innovation and technology across the Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey. The last few years have been incredibly challenging for our industry, from Brexit to the economic downturn to new visa rules and a global decline in student mobility. But those challenges push you to innovate. If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll get the same result. We have to innovate to make people’s lives easier, that’s always been my goal.”
Londonist DMC’s success is built on innovation and technology. Asim saw a need for greater flexibility, transparency and support in student accommodation services and he made it happen. His company became one of the first in the UK to offer flexible tenancies ranging from two to 51 weeks, bill-inclusive housing and flexible payment plans that make living in London more accessible.
He then pushed boundaries further, investing in digital transformation and launching new platforms like the Student Portal, Agent Portal and Ambassador App as well as introducing AI-driven pricing systems and virtual reality tours to make remote booking simple and transparent.
Today, Londonist DMC is part of Londonist Global, a group that also includes Londonist Investments, Londonist Technologies, Londonist Hospitality and Uninist. The business achieved £23 million in revenue in 2023, with ambitious plans to expand across the UK and beyond into Europe, Asia, the USA and Middle East.
“I always tell people, I didn’t build a business, I built a solution. Every challenge we faced became an opportunity to do things differently.”
While Asim describes the win as one of the highlights of his career, he’s also quick to point out that it carries a new sense of accountability.
“When you win something like this, it changes how you see yourself. It’s not just a title. It’s a reflection of how people see your contribution. I realised that I have to act in a way that honours that recognition. I need to set an example for my team, my community and the next generation of entrepreneurs and lead with integrity.”
That sense of responsibility extends well beyond business. In 2025, Asim took part in a 300-mile charity cycle for Cancer Research UK, helping raise nearly half a million pounds collectively through a campaign that inspired several members of his team to join.
The Top 100 Awards, he says, are unique in the way they celebrate people, not just profits or statistics.
“This isn’t a business award; it’s a people award. It’s about character, leadership and contribution. That’s what makes it so special. It’s not just CEOs or millionaires being recognised, it’s people from all walks of life who are doing something meaningful. It makes you proud to be part of it.”
He describes receiving the news as “a moment that makes all the hard years’ worth it. I didn’t cry when I got married, but I cried when I found out about this. Because it reminded me how far I’ve come from being a student with no idea what the future held, to standing among the most influential people in Britain. It is a moment I’ll never forget.”
Why Others Should Enter
Asim is passionate about encouraging other entrepreneurs, leaders and changemakers to put themselves, or others they admire, forward for the Top 100 Awards.
“I would absolutely recommend the Top 100 Awards to anyone who’s making a difference. It’s not just about winning, it’s about responsibility and reflection. When you sit down and think about your journey, your challenges, your values, it reminds you why you started in the first place.”
He believes that the Top 100 Awards play an important role in giving recognition to people who rarely stop to celebrate their own progress.
“Most entrepreneurs don’t pause to think about what they’ve achieved. We’re always chasing the next goal. But these awards make you stop and appreciate the journey. It’s motivating, it’s validating and it reminds you that you’re not alone, there are hundreds of others out there working hard to make a difference.”
He also highlights the wider impact that recognition can have.
“When people see your story, it gives them hope. I’ve had young entrepreneurs, students and even competitors reach out to say they’re inspired. That’s the power of awards like this; it multiplies good energy.”
For Asim, this milestone is not an endpoint but a beginning. “I always tell my team that success isn’t a destination, it’s a journey. Winning the Top 100 was a huge honour, but it’s also a reminder that we have to keep deserving it, through innovation, integrity and impact. It’s not just about winning; it’s about recognising how far you’ve come. And if you do win, it reminds you that what you do really matters.”
For Asim, the real value lies in how the award inspires others to aim higher.
“If there’s one thing I’d say to anyone thinking about entering, it’s this – just do it. Be brave enough to tell your story. You never know who it might inspire.”