Estate agents Berkeley Shaw are marking five years under new ownership in April 2019 and are celebrating more than just a birthday.
The Crosby-based business, with offices in the city centre, has achieved impressive growth in its managed property portfolio under the stewardship of Managing Director John Baybut, as well as yearly increases in residential sales.
“All in all it’s a fitting way to bring up our fifth year,” noted Baybut.
“Back then we had around 30 landlord managed properties, whereas now there are almost 250. With block and estate management, we have taken it from 200 units to nearly 1000.
“We’ve also seen growth on the residential front, with our Crosby office now supported by a new high street presence in Formby,” he added.
Additional staff have been taken on to manage the increased workload, with 15 employees now split across the three offices.
Baybut, who grew up in Hightown and attended St Mary’s College, Crosby, caught the property bug whilst on a working holiday in Australia over ten years ago.
“I suppose I just fell into it really. One minute I was managing a single building on Bondi Beach, the next I was looking after their whole portfolio! I’m really pleased we have seen such great returns in our first five years, although I’m ambitious so I also feel there is potential to do even more!
“I think what’s been key to our success is our loyal customers who enjoy working with us. I firmly believe that you do business with people you like, so it’s important we are amiable, approachable and straightforward to deal with.”
Indeed this personal approach was recognised last year at the City of Liverpool Business Awards, where Berkeley Shaw picked up the Customer Focused award. The company also achieved a Gold Award for lettings at the British Property Awards.
Baybut also touched on the increase of online agents in the marketplace:
“The threat of online competitors is there, in particular on the sales side, but we always try to educate the consumer a bit here. In reality we often achieve a higher asking price than many of the online agents, who have less incentive to sell once you have paid them up front.
“Some small independent agents struggle to get this message across, but we like to think we are flying the flag here!”
Berkeley Shaw’s new Formby office opens officially on 15th April with an exclusive drinks reception and networking event for its clients and contractors.
