Director | Kwester

Born in Leigh-on-Sea and having spent most of my life in the Southend area, I have a genuine connection to the local community and a strong understanding of the South Essex property market.

As Director of Kwester, my role has increasingly focused on property management, where no two days are quite the same. From dealing with the day-to-day needs of landlords and tenants to managing unexpected issues as they arise, I enjoy finding practical solutions and making sure situations are handled professionally and diplomatically.

How did you get into property?

My route into the property industry was somewhat unexpected.

I started working at Currys PC World in Southend-on-Sea at the age of 15. During that time, I happened to serve the owner of a local estate and lettings agency, First Call Sales & Lettings, who subsequently offered me a position within the business.

Interestingly, my colleague Ben, who is now Kwester’s Lettings Manager, had previously worked there too. I was originally due to take over his role, but when he returned to the company, I moved into property management instead. We then worked together for over 5 years.

Looking back, I genuinely believe it was meant to happen that way. What started as a chance encounter ultimately led me into a career in property and eventually to founding and directing Kwester.

Why property and lettings?

I have always had an interest in property. Growing up, I enjoyed watching Homes Under the Hammer and found the whole process of buying, renovating, letting and managing property fascinating.

Although I initially fell into the industry somewhat by chance, property quickly became something I genuinely wanted to pursue as a career.

What I enjoy most is the people. Working in lettings and property management means dealing with people from all different walks of life, and I find it fascinating to understand their individual circumstances, personalities and stories.

No two landlords, tenants or properties are the same, which makes the job constantly interesting.

What makes a good property manager?

For me, communication is everything.

You need to be prepared to listen, understand different perspectives and be willing to take feedback on board. Property management can sometimes involve challenging or unexpected situations, so being conscientious, diplomatic and professional is particularly important.

My approach is to listen first, understand the situation properly and then work towards a sensible solution.

Life outside Kwester

Being local is a big part of who I am, so I naturally spend a lot of my free time around Southend and the surrounding areas.

One of my favourite places is Southend Pier. It is an iconic part of the town and, at over 1.3 miles long, is recognised as the world's longest pleasure pier.

For a bit of exercise, I regularly take part in Parkrun, including the 5K route along Southend seafront. The seafront is also one of my favourite places to go for a walk.

Another big passion of mine is sailing. I spend most weekends down on the River Thames, where I take part in regular racing. It is a great way to switch off from work while still enjoying a bit of competition.

Favourite places around Southend

If a friend or family member were considering moving to the Southend area, I would definitely recommend looking at Westcliff-on-Sea. It is an increasingly popular and up-and-coming area, while still offering relatively good value compared with some of the more expensive parts of South Essex.

Leigh-on-Sea is another fantastic option and has plenty going for it, although property prices tend to be higher.

For food, one of my local favourites is Bucatini in Westcliff, which I would happily recommend for a meal.

And if you're looking for somewhere relaxed and affordable for a drink or something to eat, The Wetherspoons on Southend High Street is always a good option.

Why Kwester?

I believe property management should be about more than simply collecting rent and arranging repairs.

At Kwester, we aim to combine local knowledge with professional property management, clear communication and modern technology to provide a better experience for landlords and tenants across Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea and the wider South Essex area.

For me personally, building a property business in the area where I grew up is something I'm incredibly proud of. I'm passionate about the local property market, the people we work with and continuing to build Kwester into one of the leading independent letting and property management companies in South Essex.