Meet the newest member of our lettings department, Richard Goodwin. With nearly 20 years in the industry, Richard joins us to head up our Stratford-upon-Avon lettings team. A keen runner he has taken part in marathons and ultra marathons and lays claim to a rather intriguing skill …..!

What is your role and what does your job entail?

As lettings manager I’m primarily responsible for ensuring the lettings and property management team is focused on its daily priority tasks and that we have happy clients and tenants. I offer the guidance, support and training the team needs on a day-to-day basis which allows them all to feel confident and clear on the service we deliver. With sincerity, every day is a different day and a learning one! A typical day, without fail, always starts with a morning meeting to ensure that together, as a team, we have considered everything requiring attention for the day and the week, including appointments and everyone is pumped and ready to deliver a great service.

What did you do before joining Sheldon Bosley Knight?

Before joining Sheldon Bosley Knight I was office manager for Finders Keepers in the Oxford and Banbury offices where I spent seven very enjoyable years.

What was your route into the property industry?

Ever the subtle individual, I marched into my first agency on a day off and stated I was very interested in property and did they have any jobs. As it turns out they did and the rest is history! I have been in the industry for 19 years, 16 of which were spent in the Oxford market primarily serving lettings and property management. I am qualified Level 4 in both sales and lettings/property management and hold fellowship status in both disciplines.

What attracted you to working for Sheldon Bosley Knight?

I have spent the entirety of my property journey working with independent, well-run and community orientated companies that are passionate about delivering great service and the welfare of their staff. Sheldon Bosley Knight ticked a lot of the boxes.

What’s the best bit about your job?

Every day genuinely is different. I still get a huge buzz from winning new business but the prize goes to the day-to-day team, in the office interactions, watching people grow and achieve their potential is always so rewarding.

What qualifications or training do you need to do your job?

I am firm believer you do not need to be qualified to get into property. Anything can be taught. Put plainly you only need two things in my opinion. Firstly a passion for our industry but secondly, and more important than anything else, a can do attitude. If you have that you will get on.

What motivates you to work hard?

If you work hard the rest will follow. Aside from anything else I like a job to be done properly. Lettings and particularly property management is very, very demanding. There simply is no other way.

Who or what inspires you?

Recognition of my efforts. Money is all well and good but there is nothing quite like a ‘thank you’ especially if it’s coming from your team.

What are your career goals?

I generally tend to reach for the top with personal and professional goals. I believe if you put 100% in every day then you will be recognised for it and that’s enough for me.

What do you do when you are not at work?

I run! Running is my passion or boring people to death talking about running! When I started in 2010 I couldn’t manage a mile. I now regularly compete in half, full and ultra marathons and have just come back from the NICE Marathon which was fabulous and the scenery superb. So far I have done 19 and I absolutely love it. My PB for a half is 1 hour 22 which I am looking to better next year. I have signed up for the winter 100 next December so the training starts now! I fell into running and then made it something I wanted to get better and better at. The feeling it gives you afterwards is a big thing for me. It has real health benefits as well but you know what, I can also eat what I like!

 What is the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?

You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that order.

Any interesting claims to fame…..?!

I can clap with one hand!