NEWS
PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Positive report - director Barbara Blenkinsop of Portland Estates Management .
Estates management company plans further growth in year two
HOT PROPERTY
BY SARAH WALKER
A
firm of chartered surveyors that specialises in the management of commercial property expanded during its first year of trading despite lockdown . Stockton-based Portland Estates Management has further “ aggressive growth plans ” as it enters its second year of operation , having been formed when the property management side of Tyneside-based Robertson Simpson was transformed into this separate bespoke property management company .
The formation of Portland Estates Management meant a well-deserved promotion for Barbara Blenkinsop , who became director of the new company with an equity stake in the business .
Barbara is pleased to report that the first year of trading has been strong and the business – which manages retail , industrial , trade parks , office and mixed-use developments across North Yorkshire , the East Riding of Yorkshire , Teesside , County Durham and Tyne and Wear – has already expanded .
Barbara said : “ We had made plans to separate the management service line from the core business but then we were then placed into lockdown . After some deliberation we made the decision to proceed anyway , as we were confident in our business plan . We are pleased to report that during the transition period , we have had 100 per cent client retention and have in fact expanded our client base .”
Robertson Simpson already had a long history on Teesside and Barbara says Portland Estates Management offers a “ bespoke commercial property management solution with a hands-on , personal service with staff located within a short distance of our properties . This means we are able to meet the high expectations of our clients and their tenants . This is particularly important as we are aware that other surveying practices can be too detached from their managed properties and are unable to respond adequately to its evolving needs ”.
The Covid pandemic has demonstrated the importance of this . Portland Estates Management has seen that the demands upon property management teams increase during this time . “ We have found that by having close tenant relationships , this has helped us to ensure that clients ’ income streams have been maintained . We have also had to respond quickly to the increased health and safety and security measures which have been required for our properties ”.
Barbara says : “ We have a very open relationship with our tenants . If they have a problem , they know who to call and that they just have to pick up the phone and one of us will be there to assist ”.
“ We strongly believe that if tenants are happy , they will stay within their properties , which means longer leases and prolonged stable income for the landlord .”
It is this positive and hands-on approach that has seen Portland Estates Management prosper .
The company has even taken the bold step of taking on staff in the North-West of England with an office in Manchester and has expanded its team considerably overall .
However , Portland Estates Management ’ s roots are firmly in Teesside . “ We wanted to create a Teesside-based business , as there aren ’ t very many property management companies based here ,” Barbara said .
“ We have found that Teesside-based clients want to have that local person who is hands-on .”
Portland Estates Management ’ s current expansion plans include the proposed management of a new office development as well as two “ retail parades ”.
This has been made possible through the development of a strong and expanding team of eight , working alongside Barbara as the face of the company .
“ We ’ ve added quite a lot of property to our portfolio recently , so we ’ ve had to recruit ,” Barbara said .
“ Our new facilities manager Cliff Carrol has taken over the maintenance and repairs function of our property management service . Cliff is a safe pair of hands and is highly efficient with strong interpersonal and communication skills .” The company ’ s expanding portfolio has also meant new roles in the accounts department , including service charge specialist Laura Rice . “ She ’ s just amazing ,” said Barbara . “ She ’ s just given us that extra edge .”
The company is hoping to expand its accounts team again as it brings in more clients .
“ We have a strong vision for further expansion ,” Barbara says .
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