We are proud to share that the London Daily has recently featured AZ Real Estate and the launch of the new AZ Alliance Scholarship Programme. The publication highlighted our pioneering initiative to support returning mothers and recent graduates by offering a funded, structured pathway into the property industry with no prior experience required. You can read the complete text of the article below or explore the original piece by following the link.
AZ Alliance, the independent UK-wide agency platform operated by AZ Real Estate, has launched a new foundation training course designed specifically for aspiring property agents with no prior industry experience.
This marks a UK‑first move at a time when all other independent broker platforms focus solely on recruiting established agents.
As part of this, AZ Alliance is offering five funded scholarship places per year for mothers returning to work after time away, and new graduates.
Returning to work after motherhood is a significant transition, shaped by both practical challenges and personal growth. For many women, the period after maternity leave or extended time off brings a mix of ambition and apprehension: a desire to re-engage professionally alongside concerns about balancing work and family life.
One of the key hurdles is managing childcare. Reliable, affordable childcare options are critical, yet not always accessible or flexible enough to meet working hours. Alongside this, women may face a confidence gap, particularly if they have been away from the workplace for an extended period. Changes in industry practices, technology, or team dynamics can make re-entry feel daunting.
AZ Alliance hopes to tackle this head on.
The new programme, delivered through the AZ Academy and including mentoring with founder Alisa Zotomiva, is aimed at those who want to build a long‑term future in residential property but lack a formal route into the industry. It provides structured training, real‑world assessment and a clear progression pathway into independent practice.
Unlike traditional broker models that typically require existing deal histories or years of experience, AZ Alliance’s foundation course is positioned as a standalone entry point, allowing candidates to learn the fundamentals of property sales before earning the opportunity to join the wider AZ Alliance network.
The course covers core property knowledge, legal basics, compliance and the sales process, alongside practical expectations around accountability, self‑management and personal brand building. Candidates complete the programme at their own pace, with progress and assessment reviewed by the AZ Alliance team on completion.
Alisa Zotimova, founder and CEO of AZ Real Estate and AZ Alliance said:
The independent broker model is picking up major momentum across the UK, however most of these opportunities are for established agents. Based on our market engagement, there is a clear appetite for different levels. We built this foundation course to give motivated individuals a credible, structured way to learn and develop themselves, to become part of this movement.
This includes returning mothers who are looking to get back into work with the required flexibility that suits them – something that resonates with me and my team, many of whom are mothers ourselves.”
Alisa adds that the launch reflects a wider commitment to professionalising the independent agent model.
This isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about raising it earlier. By investing in proper training and assessment upfront, we’re building a stronger, more sustainable pipeline of independent agents for the future.
Following successful completion of the foundation course, participants may be invited to apply for AZ Alliance membership, where they gain access to operational infrastructure, compliance support, mentoring and a UK‑wide network of independent agents.
