Meet the newest member of the new homes team, Jack Richardson. Inspired by the work ethic shown by his family to work hard, Jack has hit the ground running since he joined Sheldon Bosley Knight. When he’s not meeting, helping and advising clients, he loves going to the gym, fashion and spending time with his family.
What is your Sheldon Bosley Knight job title and where are you based?
I am new homes manager and currently work both remotely and out of the Kenilworth office.
What is your role and what does your job entail?
The role itself varies day-to-day depending on what lands on my desk. A typical day at the moment is dealing with all the incoming leads from viewings and land valuations, pricing of sites, collecting comparable evidence and managing a number of currently on- and off-market sites. I also carry out site visits and deal with the sales progression of transactions which are currently going through. So the long and the short of it is no day is the same in the land and new homes department!
What did you do before joining Sheldon Bosley Knight?
I previously worked for John Shepherd Estate Agency for just over three years as land, new homes and collection sales manager.
How did you get into the property industry and how long have you worked within it?
I have been in the property industry for over seven years starting at a large corporate firm (Connells group). I applied to work on a new homes site, was called for an interview, only to be told I didn’t have the experience required. Although somewhat deflated, I received a call from the managing director who had interviewed me and who asked if I would be interested in a role within residential sales. After an interview I was offered the job as trainee negotiator with a target of three new homes sales per month. Not only did I achieve this, it started my journey to be a new homes specialist.
What attracted you to working for Sheldon Bosley Knight?
At Sheldon Bosley Knight, all the services which developers need can be found under one roof and this was a major attraction. I was also looking to expand my knowledge of land and new homes and Sheldon Bosley Knight is head and shoulders above the competition in this due to its large branch network and it being a multi-disciplined business. It was something which my previous roles could never offer. However, I never actually applied for the role. It all happened by chance and over a period of 18 months or so. A recruiter reached out to me to see if I was on the hunt for a new job and sent out my CV which landed on (SBK custodian) Mike Cleary’s desk who passed it to (head of new homes) Nik Kyriacou. After a series of meetings over a number of months I had a meeting with Mike and was offered the role a week later!
What’s the best bit about your job?
The best bit of my job is having the freedom to share my views and thoughts on developments, to come up with different strategies to get interest and share my creative side. I also learn every day from people around me who have got over 30 years’ experience and being able to absorb that is fantastic.
What qualifications or training do you need to do this job?
Although qualifications are always good to have, I think it’s more important to have the skills of being very creative and have an amazing imagination. For example, you need to be able to envision plans and CGI images and convey that to clients. Another important quality is to have a passion for what you do and provide the best customer service. With this job it sometimes feels as though I am part of peoples’ lives and part of the family as it’s helping them choose things for their homes such as tiles, kitchens and bathrooms. It’s the best feeling to be a part of and very rewarding.
What motivates you to work hard?
To know I am doing a good job, to feel like I am helping my clients through some major decisions and to know I am giving accurate and professional advice.
Who or what inspires you?
My family inspires me – their hard work, ethics and instilling in me that nothing in this world comes for free. I have also recently become an uncle which is allowing me to set an example to my new nephew and to show him what you get if you work hard.
What are your career goals?
My career goal has always been career progression within a company in which I am valued as a team member and which will help and enhance my skills. I also want to become a developer and with Sheldon Bosley Knight behind me, I believe that is possible to achieve.
What do you do when you are not at work?
Outside work I love to spend time with my family and especially my nephew. I am also a keen traveller and have been very lucky to go to some amazing places. I love going to the gym and am there a minimum of three times a week as well as having separate personal training sessions. I love shopping, especially when it comes to fashion, and I have been known to love a bit of luxury whether this is pre-owned or brand new.
What is the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?
The best advice has been work hard and the rest will happen naturally. Also, be honest and transparent as this goes a long way and clients will return based on this.
