Alexandre Boyes 2015 Yearbook

ALEXANDRE BOYES 2 0 15

M E ET TH E TEAM

AT ALEXANDRE BOYES WE HAVE A TEAM OF STAFF FOR WHOM PROPERTY IS NOT JUST AN INDUSTRY, IT IS A PASSION. Keren Dolan

Mark Bryant

Lisa Godin

Sharon CaulfeildBrowne

Dawn Birch

Dean Whitfield

Charlene Glanfield

Rachel Norris

Kevin Guthrie

Kate Boyes Clare Rowton

Director, Lettings & Estate Management

Emma Child

Emma

Dan Boyes

Director, Residential Sales

Merlin North

Rachel North

Tate ChennisColbran

SELECT A TEAM MEMBER TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEM

a Child

Welcome Welcome to our second edition of the Alexandre Boyes yearbook, designed to showcase everything that defines ‘Alexandre Boyes’. We hope you enjoy reading about the history of the company and the founding partners, as well as highlights from our departments and staff in 2015 – a very busy year, in which we incorporated into a group of companies.

We won gold for Property Management Company of the Year at The Negotiator Awards and we were finalists in three categories at the News on the Block Awards. Our Property Management team expanded into separate offices in Tunbridge Wells and Alexandre Boyes Maintenance is growing fast, with two vans and an apprentice scheme already in place and an application for membership of the Guild of Master Craftsmen in the works.

CO NT E NTS 04 An insight into Alexandre Boyes 06 Our achievements 10 Q&A with Angela Culley 12 Why Tunbridge Wells?

14 History of Alexandre Boyes 16 AB viewpoint 18 The best of Tunbridge 20 Our services 22 Meet the team

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KATE BOYES, FARLA MRICS

Director EMAIL KATE

Established in 1998 by John Alexandre and Peter Boyes. We specialise in residential sales, lettings, block & estate management and property maintenance.

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WE DON’T J UST STICK TO PROFE SS IONAL STAN DAR DS, WE S ET TH E M

AN INSIGHT INTO

ALEXANDRE BOYES “IN JUST OVER THREE MONTHS SINCE THEIR APPOINTMENT...

ALEXANDRE BOYES HAVE ACHIEVED MORE THAN OUR PREVIOUS MANAGING AGENTS DID IN A YEAR”

Alexandre Boyes is an innovative, family run business in Tunbridge Wells, set up in 1998

by Peter Boyes and John Alexandre. Today, the business is run by Peter’s daughter Kate, and her brother Dan, who works alongside her managing the original residential sales arm of the company. During the last 12 years, Kate has expanded the business to include Alexandre Boyes Residential Lettings and Alexandre Boyes Estate & Block Management and the business is continuing to grow year on year.

We are regularly ranked as the number one Tunbridge Wells letting agent for new letting instructions and are keen to open our first Sevenoaks branch in 2016. Collectively, our departments manage around 1,100 properties across Kent, Sussex, Surrey and London, but high demand for our services means that this figure is continually rising. Our strong lettings experience means we are equally at home managing rental property or big blocks.

We are driven by a desire to set the highest professional standards in our industry. As a family business, our roots are firmly in the local community and our name is above the door. This allows us to be flexible in how we run the business so that we can always keep customer service and our community at the heart of everything we do. We always go the extra mile for our clients because we want to, not because we have to. This means they recommend us and, as such, about two thirds of our new business comes from word of mouth.

FROM NATIONAL PROPE RTY AWAR DS TO LOCAL CHAR ITY EVE NTS...

OUR AC H I EVE M E NTS Alexandre Boyes is thrilled to have won gold for Property Management Company of the Year at The Negotiator Awards!

We were also awarded bronze for Small Lettings Agent of the Year. The 2015 entry list was the biggest in the history of the Awards and so competition was keener than ever.

“I AM REALLY PROUD OF ALEXANDRE BOYES AND ALL OUR STAFF... IT IS REALLY WONDERFUL TO HAVE ALL THAT HARD WORK RECOGNISED WITH THESE AWARDS.” KATE BOYES, DIRECTOR

We are also very proud to have been Highly Commended at the 2015 Property Management Awards!

“A CLEAR WINNER, DEMONSTRATING STRONG GROWTH, FROM A PASSIONATE FAMILY BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY” THE JUDGES, THE NEGOTIATOR AWARDS

In September, Alexandre Boyes took part in the MacMillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, raising a total of £215 for the charity. Dan Boyes, our own Paul Hollywood, judged whether the cakes were ‘faked or baked’. We were thrilled that the ‘baked’ won the day with Emma’s fabulous millionaires shortbread!

In 2015, Alexandre Boyes once again ranked as the number one Tunbridge Wells Letting Agent for new listings on Rightmove and Zoopla for most of the year. This year we have also introduced an in-house property team to provide a responsive service to our Block & Lettings clients.

MORE ACHIEVEMENTS

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ACCR E DITATION S, TRAI N I NG AN D APPOI NTM E NTS – OU R YEAR OF S UCCE SS!

STAFF AC H I EVE M E NTS

We invest in comprehensive training to help staff develop to their full potential and provide the highest possible service to our clients.

We are delighted that Kate Boyes, Managing Director of Alexandre Boyes, has been appointed to the Board of ARLA (Association of Residential Lettings Agents).

Kate has been letting and managing property in Tunbridge Wells for 12 years, having established the award-winning Alexandre Boyes Residential Lettings and Alexandre Boyes Estate & Block Management.

Kate has been appointed as the Board member responsible for the east of England and represents Kent, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

“IT IS NO SECRET THAT RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS IS MY FIRST LOVE AND I AM THEREFORE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THIS APPOINTMENT AND THE CHALLENGES IT WILL BRING” KATE BOYES, DIRECTOR

Our in-house maintenance team is currently working towards membership of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, and we hope that they will achieve this by early 2016. The Guild is the UK’s most established trade association, representing skilled and rated tradesmen, craftspeople, artisans and other professionals who strive for excellence in workmanship.

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Charlene Glanfield, our Property Maintenance Coordinator, passed her exams in September and is now a qualified member of ARLA. Rachel North and Rachel Norris are both taking exams in the new year.

Q&A

What makes The Mead School stand out from the rest?

The Mead School is unique – well I would say that, but we are different from other schools in as far as our position, so close to The Pantiles, puts us right in the heart of the Tunbridge Wells community.

We live in a huge house (albeit with many extensions – the newest of which is due to open at the beginning of February) and we are all under the same roof – one large, very happy family.

Do you have a favourite restaurant in Tunbridge Wells?

Tunbridge Wells is blessed with fabulous restaurants but we have just enjoyed an amazing Sunday lunch at the Hotel du Vin – very special.

…WITH ANG E LA CU LLEY,I H EAD M I STR E SS I OF TH E M EAD SCHOOL I

What’s your vision for the future for The Mead School – what would you like to achieve?

My vision for The Mead is actually my vision for every child entrusted in our care: that within an aspirational, loving, secure and stimulating educational environment they discover a life-long love of learning, a strong work ethic and moral code and the resilience, confidence and independence to grow into the people they are meant to be. To look back on their Mead years and be able to say: “Those were great days – they set me up”.

What difference does it make being within the Independent Schools Association (ISA)?

As the Head, I am the ISA member; at the end of a phone lies wise and pertinent counsel whenever I may need it and friendship and networking with over 300 other schools. Staff benefit from excellent professional development and the children love all the sport and other competitions.

Year 6 are already planning their entry into the Drama Competition next term and the Sports Department is due to host the Regional Rugby Tournament.

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IMAGE GALLERY

WHY TUNBRIDGE WELLS? STU N N I NG PAR KS, AN AB U N DANCE OF R ESTAU RANTS AN D FI RST-RATE SCHOOLS, TU N B R I DG E WE LLS IS TH E PE R FECT PLACE TO MAKE YOU R N EW HOM E.

COMMUTING TO LONDON

Tunbridge Wells is rapidly becoming a commuter hotspot, with its direct links taking you to London city centre in under an hour. Both Tunbridge Wells and High Brooms stations are easily accessible, offer parking, and have regular train services to London.

FOOD AND WINE

There are many options available depending on what takes your fancy. You could opt for a traditional pub

with roaring fires and a cosy atmosphere or go for one of the more modern, upbeat wine and cocktail bars. The staff at Alexandre Boyes all live locally, so we have suggested a few of our favourites – the Bar & Grill, Sankeys, Mount Edgecumbe, CAU, Fuggles Beer CafÊ, The Compasses and the George and Dragon.

THINGS TO DO

Tunbridge Wells is home to the Trinity Theatre

and the Assembly Hall, both of which offer many events throughout the year. There is also a multi-screen cinema, bowlplex, and leisure club close by, as well as and venues in the town centre offering live music events.

Tunbridge Wells is also popular for its numerous parks and great outdoor spaces, including Dunorlan Park and boating lake, Calverley Park, and Bewl Water

SCHOOLS IN TUNBRIDGE

A vast majority of our clients relocate to Tunbridge Wells because of the fantastic schools this area has to offer.

Please take a look at our interactive map to see the location of some of the local primary, secondary and private schools.

SEE OUR INTERACTIVE MAP

ESTAB LISH E D I N 1998 BY JOH N ALEXAN DR E AN D PETE R B OYES, OWN E D AN D MANAG E D TODAY BY DAN AN D KATE B OYES.

A HISTORY OF

ALEXAN DRE BOYES

1998

At our opening party on 31 July 1998, Lord Weatherall, former speaker of the House of Commons and long-standing friend of John Alexandre, stood on a desk to deliver the opening speech.

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1999

Dan joined Alexandre Boyes in 1999 having graduated from the University of Reading.

John Alexandre retired from the partnership in March 1999.

2002

Kate rang Peter from a telephone box in St James’s Square and asked for a job, to which Peter replied ‘no’. Kate then suggested founding a new lettings department.

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2003

Alexandre Boyes became accredited to train towards membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. We’re still the only independent residential estate agent in Tunbridge Wells with this accreditation.

2004

Kate passed her Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), granting her membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Fellowship of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA). Alexandre Boyes’ first email was sent and our first website designed.

2007

Dan and Kate became Partners in the business.

Alexandre Boyes became regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

2011 2008

The recession in 2008 saw a shift in the dynamic of the Tunbridge Wells market and our lettings portfolio trebled in size.

2009

Kate headhunted Emma, who joined the lettings team in October, having previously gained two years of experience in the Tunbridge Wells lettings market with another agent. Emma successfully qualified for her ARLA membership in 2010.

2010

Alexandre Boyes was extremely proud to win Lettings Office of the Year 2010 at the West Kent Property Awards.

The award recognised the business as the best lettings office in West Kent and East Sussex to provide consistently high performance.

Alexandre Boyes won the Silver Award for the Best Block Management Office at The Times & Sunday Times Letting Agency Of The Year awards.

The business became responsible for insuring over ÂŁ100 million worth of property in declared values.

2012

Alexandre Boyes was shortlisted for the Best Single Lettings Office in the South East in 2012 at The Times & The Sunday Times Letting Agency of the Year Awards.

2013

Alexandre Boyes was delighted to be appointed as the residential letting agent for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council on an initial two-year contract.

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2014

Kate launched a national product, Resident, in August 2014 – an online property solution for leaseholders and freeholders to self manage blocks of flats.

The product has evolved into a block management software for managing agents.

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2015

Alexandre Boyes was thrilled to win gold for Property Management Company of the Year and bronze for Small Lettings Agent of the Year at The Negotiator Awards. We were also finalists for Regional Management Company of the Year and Lettings Management Team of the Year in the 2015 Property Management Awards.

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AB VIEWPOINT

MARKET OUTLOOK LOOKING TO BUY, RENT OR SELL IN 2016?

HERE’S THE LOWDOWN ON THE MARKET

SALES

Booming sales for one-beds With the frenzy that was 2014, the 2015 market never really had time to get started. The uncertainty of the election made vendors hold fire earlier in the year. This unsettled period was closely followed by the summer holidays, meaning we had to try to cram eight months of traditionally buoyant market into four, with the majority of those in the second half of the year.

One of the strongest parts of the market this year has been the investment buyer.

One-bed flats that struggled to sell since 2008 were suddenly being snapped up in a matter of days – often going for more than the asking price.

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LETTINGS

Christmas boost to lettings The lettings market has remained consistent throughout the year with a constant flow of tenants moving into their new homes from January to December.

As Christmas is around the corner, we already have a number of clients anticipating their ‘move day’ in order to become settled before the festivities begin. An exciting time for everyone to enjoy before 2016 arrives and another busy year begins!

We have already agreed a number of tenancies to commence in January, so let’s hope 2016 kicks off to a busy start.

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TH E B EST OF TU N B R I DG E

The crème de la crème ALEXANDRE BOYES HAS BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO MARKET SOME OUTSTANDING PROPERTIES IN 2015, HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITES

Royal Chase, TN4 Total area: 3,633 sq. ft.

A beautiful detached five-bedroom residence in the centre of Tunbridge Wells within walking distance of the mainline station and with access to a private residents’ park.

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IMAGE GALLERY

Corseley Road, TN3 Total area: 2,024 sq. ft.

A stunning barn-conversion located in Groombridge village, a short walk from St Thomas Primary School, with a walled garden, office and annexe.

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Mount Ephraim, TN4 Total area: 1,138 sq. ft The ultimate mews house located off one of the best roads in Tunbridge Wells. Contemporary interior blended with a period charm and a large west-facing courtyard garden.

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Bourne House, TN12 Total area: 1,844 sq. ft A very attractive Grade II listed property located in the heart of this quintessential English village, surrounded by orchards and farmland.

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A GUIDE TO OUR SERVICES

When renting your property it is important for you to feel assured that your property is in safe hands. Having been trading in Tunbridge Wells for 16 years, our team will provide you with their professional insight into the local rental market, local amenities and help you feel reassured about the decisions you make. staff. We understand that good communication is essential throughout the process.

We offer three levels of service to our clients so you have a choice of which service best suits your requirements.

LET ONLY •A dvising on the likely achievable rent from the property and preparing the property for renting, including advice on safety regulations and insurance. •M arketing the property on all of the major property portals and on our own mobilefriendly website. •M eeting with prospective tenants and once an offer has been negotiated, using an independent referencing service to provide references from previous landlords, employers and credit history.

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“A HIGHLY REPUTABLE AGENCY OFFERING A RANGE OF LETTINGS SERVICES. JUDGES PRAISED ITS FANTASTIC SERVICE STANDARDS...

AS WELL AS ITS ABILITY TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING IT DOES”

RENT COLLECTION • This service will include all of the services offered on the Let Only agreement but will also include Alexandre Boyes collecting the monthly rent on your behalf.

• Rent will be transferred to the landlord along with a statement outlining monies received and any necessary deductions made for fees or maintenance/repairs.

• We will chase any late payments on your behalf.

FULL MANAGEMENT •T his service will include all of the services offered on the Let Only and Rent Collection agreements.

•O ur full time property managers will be the point of contact for your tenants.

They offer hands-on, tangible, professional support with strong relationships with local contractors.

•W e will carry out property inspections twice a year to ensure the property is being looked after. Any issues will be reported to you and addressed accordingly.

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THE NEXT STEPS Hopefully the services outlined above give you an insight into what we can offer you as a landlord. If there is anything that you would like to discuss further then please do not hesitate to contact us to speak with a member of the team.

INTRODUCING‌

WE AR E DE LIG HTE D TO WE LCOM E TH E LATE ST ADDITION S TO TH E ALEXAN DR E BOYE S FAM I LY

Rachel Norris Lettings Negotiator, Residential Lettings READ MORE

Merlin North Lettings Dog, Residential Lettings READ MORE

Clare Rowton Communications & Marketing, Communications READ MORE

LETTINGS SALES

Emma Child Lettings Director

Dan Boyes Director

MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAMS… BLOCK Keren Dolan Estate Manager MEET THE TEAM

MAINTENANCE Mark Bryant Maintenance MEET THE TEAM

www.alexandre-boyes.co.uk RESIDENTIAL SALES RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS ESTATE AND BLOCK MANAGEMENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESIDENT - SELF MANAGE ONLINE 48 MOUNT EPHRAIM TUNBRIDGE WELLS KENT, TN4 8AU

43 MOUNT EPHRAIM TUNBRIDGE WELLS KENT, TN4 8AU

01892 525 522

01892 574 880

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