Winkworth
Real Estate Sales

London, UK
2011 - 2017

I first arrived in the UK in November 2011, flying direct from Vancouver, having never been to the UK, or anywhere in Europe before. By December, I was working on a trial basis with a local real estate branch in sales and lettings (rentals). By January 2012, I was hired as a full time sales and lettings negotiator despite not having a valid driving license, direct sales experience or any real knowledge of the property industry in the UK. I soon had my UK driving licence, got to know the local area extremely well (having walked everywhere within 4 miles by now) and became a star negotiator exceeding all expectations and tying up a large volume of deals despite the economic downturn at the time.

Within a year, I was promoted to Branch Manager and my focus shifted from tying up deals to managing their progression with buyers, vendors, solicitors and other estate agents within the purchase ‘chain’. I managed a team of negotiators, helping to hire, train and foster their professional development, creating an atmosphere of calm. Within an industry reknown for aggressive competition between agents, shady deals, “gazumping”, and other bad business practice, I helped build a brand of transparency, honesty and integrity and implemented a shared comission structure for our team.

My role included negotiating complicated sales transactions often with high net worth clients, improving and maintaining our local brand and reputation, managing the team of property managers and administration staff, as well as dealing with all problems and complaints with practiced conflict resolution tactics.

My role also evolved into taking over responsibilities from the owner & director of the business, as he spent more time growing and expanding the business. I looked after reporting, audits, accounts payables, and chaired weekly management team meetings. Near the end of my 6 years with Winkworth, I was effectively running all aspects of the business and was integral to its success, brand and impact in the local community, having sponsored various local groups such as Christmas lights on our high street, beach volleyball tournaments at the local park and numerous ‘transition town’ working support projects. I ended up staying on 4 months after giving notice to leave, as we gradually handed over various aspects of my role to other staff. I have stayed in touch with my former colleagues and supported their continued success since, having mainly left to devote my time to my own side business and my wife’s business as a Will writer in preparation of the birth of our son in 2018.

ResortQuest Whistler
Hotels & Property Management

Whistler, Canada
2008–2011

After leaving Toronto in late 2008 in the wake of the global economic recession caused mainly by the US subprime mortage crisis, I saw numerous opportunities as I headed West across Canada. As Operations Manager I managed a portfolio of over 450 units ranging in size from studio and 1 bedroom apartments to 4 and 5 bedroom high end luxury homes with a total portfolio value over $100M - before, during and after the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. This included running the daily operations as well as effectively restructuring and implementing a new business model to increase our portfolio of units while reducing our overall overhead costs.

I also directly managed a guest services and front office staff of 25 employees across 3 separate branch locations and created a new hiring method and employee training program.