What locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role? 

I’ve recently taken over the Midlands and heartlands area and look after approximately 2,500 brokers across 1,100 organisations. 

  

How have you changed the way you establish and maintain a good relationship with brokers in the pandemic? 

I’d say that in the main I’ve maintained the same approach in terms of keeping in touch, however I have taken advantage of the use of technology more, by holding virtual meetings as part of a blended approach in supporting my areas. 

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What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job? 

Tenacity is a very valuable skill in my role, by being determined and persistent to ensure I gain the best possible outcome for the broker and their client. 

  

What personal talent/skill would you most like to improve on? 

In terms of personal skill, I’d definitely say cooking. I can BBQ, but that’s about it. 

  

Where would you rather be stuck, in bumper-to-bumper traffic or back-to-back Zoom calls?  

Back-to-back Zoom meetings, as it would certainly be more productive; however, traffic comes with the job every now and then and I still feel it is important to go out on the road and meet with brokers face-to-face. 

  

What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given? 

I liked it when someone told me “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”, and it’s something I’ve always remembered. 

  

What is the most quirky/unique property deal you’ve been involved in? 

Throughout the years I’ve been involved with various quirky cases where some applicants have been either TV or sport personalities or Olympic athletes.   

One of my memorable cases was when a client was looking to do some home improvements and it turned out they wanted to raise funds for restoring the property’s moat. I hadn’t had that enquiry before and haven’t had it since. 

   

What was your motivation for choosing business development as a career? 

I’ve always been in a customer focused role ever since my first job and always wanted to be in a position where I could help people. 

  

If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why? 

I would be in the property development side of things, as I like DIY and do whatever I can at home myself and have set myself a few challenges in the past.   

A barn conversion mixing original features with new technology, or something out of the TV show Grand Designs would be an amazing opportunity, however pretty costly. 

 

What did you want to be growing up? 

I wanted to be a racing driver, however it’s an expensive sport to get into.  Over recent years I’ve been lucky enough to drive some fast cars around a few racetracks (the Top Gear track for one), so I have managed to get a small taste of life as a racing driver. 

  

And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked? 

Why are pizzas round, come in square boxes and get cut into triangles?