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reside. insite. Bringing a New Dynamic – The Lucas Effect Having been a non-executive Director of Reside Developments for more than two years now, Robin’s expertise and professional acumen has had a strong and very positive influence across the entire Company.
The Fourteen Years of Reside
Fourteen years on and the founder Directors and joint Managing Directors of Reside, Brett Hamblin and Richard West took a nostalgic moment to look back at their original business plan and first set of AGM minutes, which were drafted in a ski chalet, somewhere in France! “The business we have today bears only a few hallmarks of the original plan, which is largely due to the fact that as market conditions change so do businesses, particularly property companies that have to react to buyer demands, government legislation and of course, finance and mortgage lenders. Our business model today is considerably different to 14 years ago, but our consistent growth and ability to manage the business through some quite extraordinary years, demonstrates both good management and leadership qualities,” comments Brett Hamblin. “Being at the leading edge of land acquisition and planning, we tend to air on the side of caution as we’re only too aware that any forecast made today can easily be scuppered tomorrow. That said, when we drew up the first business plan we envisaged that the company would grow through our ability for divergent thinking and that we would expand in accordance with the skills of the
team, which is something we’ve been very careful to manage to full potential,” said Richard West. So, 2018 sees Reside Developments with a land bank of nearly 300 acres, which over the next 5-10 years has the potential to generate in excess of 2,000 plots. To add to its list of 14 year achievements, the business also includes a construction company that shares the same brand, three other Directors: Tim Vincent, Steve O’Halloran, Andrew Munton and non-executive Director Robin Lucas, a maintenance and accounts department, ownership of its Dorking offices and a wide portfolio of let and managed properties. However, probably their most important achievement is that Reside Developments and its team is now widely recognised in the industry for its integrity and honesty with other industry professionals and its exceptional skill-set. Here’s to the next 14 years!
His vast experience in industry and commerce and the immense knowledge he gained as Chairman of the insurance and financial services company, Lucas Fettes & Partners has been a great asset to Reside, creating a larger business platform and a wider reach. Advising and steering the company to generate greater opportunities and bringing a different dynamic to the business, Robin has helped Reside to maximise value through careful planning and the acquisition of strategic sites, as well as looking at shorter term land opportunities.