Estate agency group raises the bar
Stamford estate agent Jason Treadwell has been named top performing franchisee of the year in Newton Fallowell’s annual awards.
The award for best property sales performance went to Newton Fallowell’s Newark franchisees Neil and Jude Sime, with Grantham Lettings franchisees Jackie and Iain Angus securing the award for top performing lettings office; both recording their third successive win.
The announcements were made at a black tie dinner for members of the fast-growing Midlands estate agency network, which now stretches from the West Midlands to the east coast of Lincolnshire.
Staff from across the group came together to celebrate record growth across the brand, which has seen a 60% increase in the number of franchises since the last annual conference.
Speaking after the awards, top franchisee Jason Treadwell said: “From a cold start opening in Stamford in 2014, when we went head-to-head against 19 high street-based estate agents who were already selling in the town, we are now out-selling our nearest competitor by double the number of sales. Independent figures show we are now responsible for 1 in 4 property sales locally, with 28.4% of the sold market. Our nearest competitor stands at 14.2%.”
He added: “It’s been an amazing journey, and we have already opened a further franchise in nearby Oakham, also from a cold start, and after just four months we are ranked second in the town for sales and new listings. This award bears my name, but it’s not just about me, the team have been crucial, as well as the backing of my family.”
Said franchise director David Spackman: “This year was our biggest ever conference, with our newly extended family coming together for the first time since the West Midlands’ based Goodchilds chain joined us. We now have 45 branches, and the conference is a great opportunity for everyone to share and learn from what’s happening elsewhere in the group, as well as a route to setting out the strategy for the year ahead.”
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, Newton Fallowell quickly became the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, providing property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice. It has been part of the Belvoir Lettings PLC property group since 2015.
All the winners:
| Best New Franchise 2016 | Leicester Forest East |
| Most Improved Lettings Franchise 2016 | Retford |
| Most Improved Sales Franchise 2016 | Market Deeping |
| Lettings Franchise of the Year 2016 | Grantham |
| Sales Franchise of the Year 2016 | Newark |
| Goodchilds Lettings Franchise of the Year 2016 | Bloxwich |
| Goodchilds Sales Franchise of the Year 2016 | Stoke on Trent |
| Franchisee of the Year 2016 | Jason Treadwell |
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & MarketingDirect line: 0207 846 0096 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell now has 45 branches and is part of the Belvoir PLC property group with branches from Telford to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Former apprentice celebrates business success
A former apprentice seized the day when the franchise of the estate agency where she worked came up for grabs. Backed by her father, Sarah Ballard was just 24 years old when she was successful in her application to run the Bingham branch for Newton Fallowell, the biggest independent estate agency network in the East Midlands. And two years after taking on the Bingham branch, she expanded to develop a second branch from scratch in nearby Mapperley.
Now, she’s celebrated her successful first year of trading in the Nottingham suburb of Mapperley and has an eye to where she can expand further.
Sarah started at Newton Fallowell Bingham as an apprentice at 18, and in just a few years was promoted to the role of office manager. So, when the opportunity came to take over the franchise, she decided she was up for running her own business – despite still being in her early twenties. With her father acting as a sleeping partner from the outset, she quickly built on her administrative and managerial experience to grow into the new role.
Said Sarah: “I put the money together through a mix of my own finances, which I’d been saving for a buy to let property, and some help from my Dad. I was fortunate to have worked in the business so I had a good knowledge to build on, and also knew that head office would take away a number of potential headaches, such as the payroll, the website, marketing and branding, leaving
me free to focus on the business.
“And when I decided to open a second branch, the head office franchise team helped with the market research, found the premises and negotiated the lease.”
In the market town of Bingham, Newton Fallowell is currently ranked in the top three estate agents in the town, and Sarah puts that down to her team’s sales skills and by aiming for outstanding customer service.
“We offer traditional estate agency services, taking the time to talk to buyers and sellers,” she explains, “but combine that with the latest technology and tools that come from being part of a major brand.”
She added: “We’re also open seven days per week, because we recognise that weekends are when people are free for house viewings, and we employ local people who understand the local market, as that helps sell properties.”
And having turned a profit in year one after taking over the Bingham branch, Sarah's aim is break-even for year one in Mapperley, and once it’s in profit, she will be looking to make further investments and expand further. She says: “Certainly, I’m looking at what happens next and I know there will be economy of scale if I can find the right spot to expand into another area of Nottingham.”
Outside the office, the staff all get involved in the local community, whether it’s sponsoring the local pork pie competition or providing sports tops for the primary school.
ENDS 493 words
Celebrating being the region’s biggest property-selling family
To download a high res image from Flickr click here
An East Midlands estate agency is celebrating being the biggest property-selling family in the region....
The Newton Fallowell network is a family-owned business that includes many family-run branches across its 27 East Midlands locations, and now they’ve launched a major consumer advertising campaign that emphasises those roots and family values.
Founded in 1999 by estate agent and industry specialist Mark Newton – a descendant of Isaac Newton - Newton Fallowell today is the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands. It has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford to Bourne, offering property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
David Newton Director of IT and Marketing said: “Research shows that staff tend to stay longer at family-owned businesses, and that successful family companies look for steady long-term growth and performance rather than chasing maximum short-term performance at the expense of long-term company health.
“That’s certainly always been our attitude within Newton Fallowell and we have seen it pay off for customers, by giving them the confidence of knowing the firm is focussed on them and their business today; and that the people they’re dealing with today, will be there tomorrow.”
The campaign is running for three months in media titles across the East Midlands.
ENDS [213 words]
McKinsey & Company : The five attributes of enduring family businesses
Harvard Business Review: What you can learn from family business
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 27 branches. The largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
Newton Fallowell’s top franchisees sweep the board
Download high res images and captions from Flickr:
Click here for Newton Fallowell Newark branch team win Sales Office of the Year award
Click here for Newton Fallowell Lincoln office Peter Sandy best franchisee winner
Click here for picture 1 Newton Fallowell Annual Conference
Click here for picture 2 Newton Fallowell Annual Conference
Newton Fallowell’s Newark estate agency franchise, headed by Neil Sime, has scooped the top award for sales performance, announced at a black tie dinner attended by over 200 members of the fast-growing East Midlands estate agency network.
Also winning a top award, for best franchisee, was Peter Sandy of Lincoln’s Newton Fallowell branch.
More than 200 people joined the awards presentation, which was held at the end of the company’s annual conference at the prestigious Belton Woods Hotel near Grantham, the town which remains home for the Newton Fallowell head office.
The conference saw franchisees and staff from all 27 branches in the network come together to celebrate record growth across the brand during the past year, which saw 10 new franchises open across the East Midlands.
Said franchise director David Spackman: “The conference is a major event in our calendar, and an important platform for the launch of new initiatives and partnerships, as well as giving everyone an opportunity to share and learn from what’s happening elsewhere in the group.
“It’s great to see the numbers taking part continue to grow, year on year, reflecting the continuing rise of the brand and the success of our growth strategy.”
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, Newton Fallowell is the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands with a network of 27 branches providing property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice. A family business, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester.
ENDS [254 words]
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 27 branches. The largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
Newton Fallowell’s Burton franchisee celebrates 10 year high
For franchise media:
Click here to download high res images from Flickr
Managing director Simon Shilton celebrates 10 years of trading and looks back at the highs and lows of the last decade
With minimal funds and limited knowledge of running a business, some might say that Simon Shilton was taking a gamble when he set up his Newton Fallowell estate agency franchise in Burton upon Trent a decade ago.
But his deep personal knowledge of the local area, combined with practical experience in the property market, gave him the head start he needed, combined with support from those around him, which he says has been invaluable.
“I was lucky enough to have the support of my father who had 50 years’ experience in business and I also received a huge confidence boost from the directors at Newton Fallowell, and it’s this ongoing support and drive from head office that’s been instrumental in keeping me confident, particularly during the harder times,” he explains.
Fast forward ten years, through one of the worst property crashes the country has seen, and Simon has most definitely weathered the storm. Not only has the branch grown to become one of Burton on Trent’s key property players, but this year has seen record numbers of houses sold and record income for the branch.
“It’s been a cracking year and I’m really proud of my team, all of whom have been with me since the start, but I don’t think we should all assume that the market is going to be fabulous from here on out. I’m naturally cautious and hoping that we can see further stability in both the economy and mortgage market going forward”, adds Simon.
That said, Simon is feeling largely positive about the current climate and attributes the branch’s continued success to their philosophy of offering consistent, quality service to customers and never over-promising or pushing over-zealous aspirations. “It’s all about not making promises you can’t fulfill. If I place a client’s house on the market, I make sure that I can deliver on what I’ve promised”.
Simon explains how being a part of a bigger franchise allows him to enjoy the perks of running his own business, whilst being supported by the umbrella of a larger parent company. “It’s about having the back-up – not just when you need it, but also just knowing it’s there. It’s also the practical support; not having to worry about doing the pay roll or the accounts so that you can simply focus on being an estate agent”.
Looking to the future, Simon plans to leverage the ongoing growth of the Newton Fallowell franchise across the East Midlands to strengthen the brand at a local level. “I grew up in Burton and I can trace my ancestry back around 300 years, so staying local is really important to me. I’m set on growing the business for as long as I can and hopefully involve other family members too.
“For me, the goal is to build a business that is based on both integrity and longevity”.
ENDS
471 words
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 27 branches. The largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Bourne. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
Local estate agent and proud Burtonian celebrates 10 year high
For Burton upon Trent media:
Click here to download high res images from Flickr
Simon Shilton, branch director of Newton Fallowell in Burton upon Trent, looks back at the highs and lows of the last 10 years and the importance of his local roots
The past decade has seen Newton Fallowell branch director Simon Shilton become one of the biggest agents in town, thanks to his local knowledge and contacts, combined with some bold business tactics.
With limited funds and concern about the logistics of running his own business, Simon was faced with a challenge when presented with the opportunity to set up and run the Burton upon Trent branch a decade ago.
“I’ll be honest, I was nervous about it. I had almost no savings and was worried whether I had enough business experience to make it work”, he says. In the end, it was Simon’s father, a local business man with over 50 years’ experience in haulage, who gave him the final push he needed.
The doors were opened in November 2004 and although Simon had a lot of experience in the property market, it was his knowledge of the local area that proved most valuable. A Burtonian born and bred, Simon grew up and went to school in the area. “My family has always had close ties with the area and my local roots were an important factor in my decision to take on the Burton branch”, he explains.
However, it’s not all been plain sailing for the Station Street agents. Although the branch was set up during a buoyant market, it soon experienced one of the worst property crashes in decades and Simon has had to work hard to weather the storm, although that’s been helped by being able to share and learn from his colleagues in the other 26 branches of the Newton Fallowell group, which stretch across the East Midlands.
More recently, Simon also had to contend with an unexpected fire which spread from a neighbouring building and resulted in serious damage to the Burton office. “It was obviously a shock when we heard what had happened, but head office were great and within a day we had managed to secure a short term office on New Street and we were back to business as usual” he explains.
Since opening its doors a decade ago, the branch has grown to become one of Burton on Trent’s biggest property players, with this year seeing record numbers of houses sold and record income for the Burton branch.
“It’s been a cracking year and I’m really proud of my team. They’ve all been with me from the very start and they’ve stuck with it through the good times and the challenging times”, says Simon, who attributes the branch’s continued success to a philosophy that deliberately set out to be different.
“As a team, we never over-promise and we always put customers first. We even offer special cooling off terms for new customers,” explains Simon. “Some agents may think we’re bonkers to offer this, but to us it’s all part of the service”.
Despite the branch’s recent prosperity, Simon is tentative when it comes to the strengthening property market. “I don’t think we should assume that the market is going to be fabulous from here on. I’m naturally cautious and am hoping that we can see further stability in both the economy and mortgage market going forward”.
So, what does the future hold for the Burton branch? For Simon, it’s all about staying true to his family’s roots. “Staying local is really important to me. I’d love to continue to grow the business for as long as I can and hopefully involve other family members too. The goal is to build a business that is based on integrity and longevity.”
ENDS [598 words]
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 27 branches. The largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Bourne. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
Newton Fallowell’s growth spurt adds four more franchises
In the press: bit.ly/1wy4Rbk bit.ly/1trXK48
Four new franchise areas are signed up by fast-growing East Midlands’ estate agency Newton Fallowell, making a total of 10 so far this year
Click here to download high res version of this image from Flickr
Newton Fallowell has announced the completion of four further franchise agreements, as part of the long term growth strategy by the fast-growing East Midlands estate agency to extend its geographic footprint.
The franchises have been signed for Loughborough, Syston, East Leake and Rothley, all in Leicestershire. And two of the new signings are with existing franchisees, looking to grow their own footprint through additional branch offices.
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton (pictured, second left), Newton Fallowell is the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands with a network of 27 branches providing property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice. A family business, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester.
Said Mark Newton: “It’s great to see this organic growth in our franchisees – it’s a real endorsement that we’re getting it right for them. This takes us to ten new franchise areas this year, and we continue to push forward on our strategy to open new offices in the few areas of the East Midlands that aren’t yet wearing our colours.”
Franchisee Simon Hewitt, now involved in four Newton Fallowell franchises, added: “The initial draw of Newton Fallowell for me was the opportunity to grow and take on new branches. Head Office is actively looking for the right people to take on new areas and so if you’re ambitious, the opportunity and the support are there waiting. With so many aspects of the business already set up, it really gives you a head start and, most importantly, people already know and trust the brand.”
Richard Morris, who has taken on franchises at Loughborough and East Leake, said: “What’s great is being able to demonstrate to potential clients the best of both worlds – the strength of delivering a personal service, as this is my own independent business, combined with Newton Fallowell’s extensive coverage and partner network.”
Picture caption: Pictured, left to right, following the signing of the new franchise areas, David Newton, director of IT & marketing, Mark Newton, chief executive, Andrew Derry, finance director, Gary Hartley, director, David Spackman, franchise director, with franchisees Craig Stephens, Simon Hewitt and Richard Morris
ENDS [350 words]
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing
Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell
Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 27 branches. The largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, it has branches from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Leicester. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
Mark Newton comments for the Daily Express
Mark Newton, Chief Executive of Newton Fallowell has been commenting on the news that national statistics show that higher number of property sales are failing to complete. He said:
"We suffered high fall-through rates for a period of about three months, although things appear to be back to normal now.
"The normal fall-through rate comprises three distinct phases:
- Buyer remorse within a few days of agreement “what have I done?”
- At survey, if and when problems are found
- At the ‘altar’, when final negotiations take place
"During May/June/August the fall-through rate increased from the usual 25% to around 40%, but was not due in my opinion to picky buyers and sellers, but two other factors:
1. Mortgage Market Review (MMR) which put a whole new set of hurdles in the way of buyers
2. Conveyancers who were overwhelmed by the increase in the market and hadn’t scaled up
Mark's top tips:
- Check that whoever you choose to do your conveyancing has the capacity to deliver
- For buyers, get a nod on your mortgage before making an offer and for sellers, make sure your agents is pushy in finding out buyer credentials and whether they can afford to buy
- Don’t be too quick to nail up the ‘sold’ sign when you get an offer - if you have to take it back down, it can make other buyers think there’s something wrong with your property, so better to wait and see if the offer holds firm
- If you know there are problems likely to come up during survey, don’t bury your head in the sand
- Another important thing is to make sure you have all the paperwork in order before you go on the market as conveyancers acting for buyers are increasingly zealous in demanding certificates for work done - e.g. FENSA for windows or CORGI for a new boiler
About Newton Fallowell
Newton Fallowell is the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, with a network of 25 branch offices. Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice. The company has grown through a franchise model.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing Direct line: 01400 251557 Mobile: 0797 3767602 Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell Direct line: 01476 584163 Mobile: 07986 555496 Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Property agents join forces for bigger bite of residential pie
Tie up between two independent leaders widens the gap in the East Midlands as Newton Fallowell merge with Hartleys
Newton Fallowell has merged with Hartleys, reinforcing the firm’s position as the largest independent estate agency across the East Midlands, and now fielding a combined network of 25 branch offices.
Against a backdrop of the region’s strengthening property market, the two companies have struck the strategic alliance to fuel future expansion in residential markets, pointing to the natural geographic fit of the combined network of offices.
Now stretching across Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, the collaboration between the two firms will bring operational efficiencies and a wider customer base for sellers, although both will continue to trade under their current branding and will retain all staff at existing branches.
Hartleys has been the dominant property agent in the Loughborough and Charnwood areas for the last five years, with a core market ranging from semi detached properties up to £1m individual village houses.
Under the deal, Gary Hartley, eponymous founder of the Hartley chain in 1995 and a former England rugby international, will become an executive director of Newton Fallowell, bringing four branches and 25 sales staff into the merged group.
Newton Fallowell, founded by chief executive Mark Newton in 1999, has 21 branches and 150 staff across the region. The merger has grown out of a long standing relationship between Hartley and Newton, who worked together as chartered surveyors in the 1980s, before each setting up their respective businesses, which have gone on to grow side by side.
“We have a team of young and ambitious branch managers, all looking to go places. This merger will provide major opportunities for growth, thanks to the resources of the combined group and the bigger geographic territory, and enable our managers to take greater ownership at branch level, within a strong and supportive infrastructure,” explained Gary Hartley.
He added: “Customers won’t see any change in the people they deal with, or the style of delivery - just in the results we are able to achieve. The message is ‘business as usual’ – it’s not a buy-out, it’s not a takeover – we’re just part of a bigger family.”
The Hartleys lettings business is not included in the agreement, and will continue to trade as a stand-alone business, with Gary Hartley remaining as senior partner.
Newton Fallowell chief executive Mark Newton added: “This deal is about creating a win-win opportunity for both firms. Unwinding the residential sales operation from Hartleys to merge with us at Newton Fallowell will give extra muscle for future expansion and keep us ahead of the game. Market conditions have improved considerably in the region, but it’s still tough and there are major changes in the mortgage market for buyers to contend with.
“We’ve increased our footprint by 25% overnight and the bigger network is going to bring benefits for both buyers and sellers, by opening the door to a much increased customer base.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Press information:
Maggie Taylor, Prima PR & Marketing Email: maggie@primapr.co.uk
David Newton, Director of IT & Marketing, Newton Fallowell Email: david.newton@newtonfallowell.co.uk
Notes to Editor:
About Newton Fallowell
Founded in 1999 by CEO Mark Newton, an estate agent and industry specialist since 1976, Newton Fallowell is a family business extending to a network of 21 branches, before this merger announcement, from Burton on Trent to Boston, and from Retford down to Bourne. Services include property sales and letting, surveying, in–house conveyancing and mortgage advice.
Twitter: @MarkOnProperty
About Hartleys
An independent practice of Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents established in 1995 by Managing Director Gary Hartley, has become a multi disciplined practice covering residential sales and lettings, land and new homes, mortgage advice and professional surveying. The firm’s flagship property showroom is based in the market town of Loughborough, serving the property market across Charnwood and Leicestershire, with other village branches based in their individual local communities, including Rothley, East Leake, Syston and Woodhouse Eaves.
www.hartleys-ea.co.uk
Twitter: @HartleysEA