Nathan and Wai Leave Iceland For Nice Warm Belvoir Office in Hove
Two former managers of Iceland stores in Crawley have come in out of the metaphorical “cold” to join the growing network of Belvoir franchisees offering a nationally accredited, award-winning property management and lettings service to landlords and tenants.
Nathan Crombie and Wai Lam joined forces to take over management of Belvoir Brighton and Hove, from former owners Chris and Craig Radford who opened the office on Church Road in Hove in March 2011. The business established with a broad and diverse portfolio of properties under management plus an enviable reputation for superb levels of customer service,
During their time as colleagues and managers for Iceland, Nathan and Wai became friends and discovered that they shared an ambition to own their own business. They were confident that their respective successful careers in retail management gave them transferable management skills for a new joint venture.
Nathan explains: “We both have backgrounds as retail store managers for various major companies. When we met whilst working for Iceland and became friends, we often discussed running our own business. Since we both have rental properties, it was inevitable that we would look at the lettings industry as a possibility.
“The Belvoir brand and its ethos seem to resonate with the residents of Brighton and Hove and the company has a great reputation locally. Wai and I saw buying the franchise for the Brighton and Hove office as a chance to realise our ambitions – it was just too good an opportunity for us to miss!
“We have the foundations of a good reputation already established by the previous owners, coupled with the full range of professional support from the Belvoir team of staff and advisors who provide us with a critically important rolling programme of updates on market trends, housing legislation, insurance, health and safety matters and other legal guidance.
Wai Lam adds: “I have lived in this area all my life and Nathan has lived here since childhood so we both know the area very well.
“The rental market here is buoyant but it’s a highly competitive, tough market place so a good reputation is crucial. Honesty, transparency and a willingness to go the extra mile for both landlords and tenants is our modus operandi.
“We know the importance of offering the best customer service and we are capable of running an organised and efficient business, but it is reassuring to know that we can also tap into the expertise and knowledge of more experienced lettings operators within the Belvoir network.”
Belvoir’s Commercial Director, Dorian Gonsalves, adds: “Since the establishment of the Belvoir brand exactly 20 years ago, we have grown to become a dominant force in the specialist residential lettings and management industry with a total property portfolio valued at more than £1billion. We guard our reputation very closely by carefully selecting the right people who we know have the right qualities and determination to succeed.
“I have no doubt that the business acumen and management skills that Nathan and Wai bring to this partnership venture will see them make quite an impact on the lettings business in Brighton and Hove. I look forward, with confidence, to welcoming them as winners of one of our national annual achievement awards in the not too distant future.”
