Andrews Property Group appoints Vince Courtney as new group sales director 

Andrews Property Group has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Vince Courtney as its new group sales director.

Courtney joins Andrews from Haslams in Reading, where he headed up the residential sales and lettings division, and brings with him a wealth of experience, with more than 30 years working in the industry.

Andrews, which celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year, is embarking on further expansion this year, with new branches due to open, including in Surrey and within the M25.

In his new role, Courtney will be responsible for developing and implementing the group business strategy across sales and lettings, as well as identifying new market opportunities, as the company enters the next chapter in its history.

Courtney has an impressive CV having worked in the estate agency industry since 1986. He secured his first managerial position aged just 20, and ran a Brighton-based agency for many years before joining Romans in 1996, to run their Wokingham office.

After spending more than 20 years at the firm, and rising up the ranks to become managing director of the residential sales division, Courtney joined Haslams in September 2018.

He commented: “These are exciting times at Andrews, and David’s clear vision for the future of the company immediately resonated with me.

“I’m looking forward to embracing and rising to the challenges that lie ahead, and playing a key role in the growth and development of the business. With such a talented team supporting me, not just at the executive level but across the organisation, I’m confident that together we can drive the company forward to realise its ambitions.”

David Westgate, group chief executive, Andrews Property Group, commented: “It’s fantastic news to attract someone of Vince’s talent and standing in the industry. We have ambitious plans to grow and develop the business, and the executive team at Andrews is confident Vince will excel in his new role, as we embark on this new and exciting chapter in our history.”

Belvoir boosts sales team with two new recruits

The Belvoir branches in Corby and Kettering have responded to the recent boom in the local property market with the appointment of two new recruits.

Jessica Gray and Hannah Bellamy have joined the sales team at Belvoir estate agents in George Street, Corby and Newland Street, Kettering and bring with them 15 years of experience in property, sales and customer service.

Property valuer Gray has worked in estate agency for the last eight years, starting out as an apprentice and working her way up to management. She has local knowledge too as her family hails from Corby and she has worked for agencies in Corby, Kettering, Market Harborough and Leicester.

Sales consultant Bellamy joins Belvoir with a background in sales and customer service. As well as working in the lettings department for a rival estate agent, she has also previously worked as cabin crew for Monarch and in retail, managing a store for a premium British brand.

Gray said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the Belvoir team, helping people to sell their properties and buy new homes to make new memories in.”

Bellamy commented: “My background is very much rooted in customer service so I am pleased to be joining a company that puts its clients at the heart of what they do. Belvoir believes that ‘Property is Personal’ and that really resonates with me.”

New managing director at Centrick

Centrick, based in the Midlands, has welcomed Phil Johns to the helm after his appointment as group managing director.

Bringing extensive experience in strategic leadership, tech solutions and business development, the independent firm hopes this new appointment will accelerate its growth plans for 2021 and beyond.

With over 16 years experience working in the property industry, including 13 months as Centrick’s group operating director, this appointment sees Johns step into a new role focused on strengthening and diversifying the businesses offering. Building on Centrick’s recent success, this will initially see investment in its estate management, asset management, new homes and lettings provisions.

Johns commented: “Our agility as a business saw us sustain healthy year-on-year growth, despite working through the pandemic, even exceeding our targets in multiple areas of the business.

“If there is one key learning that we as a business have taken from the pandemic, it’s that to be successful in the current climate, we must remain open to change and ready to pre-empt what will happen in the market, maximising the offering to our customers.

“As we’ve seen, government guidelines, restrictions and legislation are moving all of the time and, to remain market-leading, we’ve invested significant energy, resource, and funds into ensuring that there are processes and systems in place enabling us to consistently deliver high levels of service to our customers.”

James Ackrill, Centrick’s chairman, said: “Having worked shoulder to shoulder with Phil for the past year – one of the most challenging in Centrick’s history – and starting 2021 in a far stronger position than we ever could have anticipated at the start of the pandemic, I have seen first-hand his tenacity and determination to deliver for our clients, our team and the business.

“Phil and I share the same vision that initially drove me to start Centrick 15 years ago – to run a property operation that takes a fresh approach and always puts service at its core – and I look forward to working alongside him as Centrick continues to grow from strength to strength.”