10 | 2017 Belfast Telegraph Property Awards in association with
Residential Estate Agency Award (sole branch) Sponsored by Progressive Building Society WINNER Adams McGillan HIGHLY COMMENDED McGuinness Fleck SHORLISTED Colliers New Homes, Michael Chandler Estate Agents James Duggan Estate Agents
Belfast Telegraph l NOVEMBER 23 2017
Pamela Ballantine with Declan Moore, operations director of the Progressive Building Society, who presented Joanne McGillan and Ross Adams, founders of Adams McGillan, with their award for Residential Estate Agency of the Year Sole Branch
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EW to the estate agency world, Adams McGillan scooped the Residential Estate Agency Sole Branch Award sponsored by Progressive Building Society. Declan Moore, operations director of the Progressive Building Society, presented the award to the company founders, Ross Adams and Joanne McGillan. Ross said: “We are absolutely delighted to bring home the title of Residential of Estate Agency of The Year Sole Branch Award. “Being a relative newcomer and pitching ourselves against the larger, more established agents, especially the Greater Belfast area, is always perceived as a challenge. “Since inception in December 2015 we have ensured that our founding principles of honesty, integrity and trust remain paramount in our daily operations. The addition of two new members to the team ensures that our proactive and dynamic attitude towards estate agency continues to set a new standard. “In the words of Stephen Covey ‘if the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step we take just gets us to the wrong place faster’ — to this end, we ensure that we concentrate solely on our vendors, treating each as
if they were our only client. “With the support of our dedicated team, parents and partners we have set the foundation for the future. We also remain in daily appreciation of that support and of the recognition of how passionate we as a team are in relation to property.” The company had the vision to create a “modern, dynamic and proactive” approach to estate agency since it set up in a home office in Coleraine in April 2015. It offers residential and commercial property sales and lettings, management, valuations, Energy Performance Certificates and site sales. The business is owned and managed by Ross Adams and Joanne McGillan, both from Coleraine. A high street office was opened in the town in December 2015 primarily servicing the triangle area of Dunloy, Limavady and Coleraine. The company prides itself on its hands-on, proactive approach to estate agency. They believe that what sets them apart is their cutting edge technology, dare to be different advertising approach through the normal property platforms but also social media and professional licensed drone footage. By the end of the first year the company had grown to such an extent that
they appointed a new marketing and administration manager, with John Dalton taking up the post. Further growth led to the appointment of Clare Ravenscroft as mortgage and protection advisor a few months later. In September of this year the company was delighted to accept the accolade of Start up Business Award with Causeway Coast and Glens Chamber of Commerce. The company has continued to develop and has joined the National Association of Estate Agents and also teamed up with Propertynews.com to enable their clients to benefit from their Webedge system, which monitors all diaries and provides feedback and real life timelines. The company has ambitious plans to double the size of its office by the end of 2017 and open a second office in ear-
ly 2018 specialising in rural properties. Judge Nicola McCrudden said of the agency: “An extremely promising new business — one to watch!”
FINALISTS McGuinness Fleck was Highly Commended in the Residential Estate Agency of the Year Sole branch category. The Belfast based company is dedicated to innovation and is currently investing £21,000 to improve its website for users. Rather than operate multiple small offices, McGuinness Fleck have invested heavily in one large office on the Lisburn Road where staff development is a priority and all 15 members of the team are studying for professional qualifications. The company handles a broad range of properties from all over Belfast and as far away as Comber, Ballyclare and Antrim. From January until September of this year the firm experienced amazing growth with sales income up by 232%, valuations up by 165% and instructions up by 216%. Average sales income rose from a healthy £6,370 a month in 2016 to £9,470 a month this year. Also shortlisted in this category were Colliers New Homes, Michael Chandler Estate Agents and James Duggan Estate Agents.