The Robinson Jackson Group - Where it all began

The journey so far...

Proud Past. Exciting Future.

The Robinson Jackson Group

Welcome to The Robinson Jackson Group

We’re thrilled you have joined our team and invite you to dive into a nostalgic journey that follows our remarkable 50-year history.

Our success is all thanks to compassionate, discerning, and dedicated individuals like you. Who bring their A-game every day to deliver out-of-this-world results for customers who rave about their moving experiences.

The RJ Group incorporates two household names with five-star reputations. Robinson Jackson and Robinson Michael & Jackson; both offer award-winning sales, lettings, mortgage and legal services from offices in London and Kent.

In the following pages, you will discover how our company constantly evolves and expands under the guidance of our visionary co-founders Alan Robinson and Peter Jackson who work alongside our highly experienced Owner Partners. Their wealth of estate agency expertise has shaped countless careers and made our company a part of so many people’s lives.

As you begin your journey with us, remember you’re surrounded by 200 talented individuals who will help you achieve your career success. Welcome to a future filled with possibility, fulfilment, and a lot of fun!

Out of this world results

delivered by down to earth people...

The

Big Interview

Introducing Peter Jackson and Alan

Robinson

Co-Founders of the Robinson Jackson Group…

was sitting at my new desk at Couchman’s Estate Agents in Blackfen, aged just 16, answering the phones.

What are your fondest memories of your first EA experiences?

What was your first job?

Peter Jackson: My father worked in property sales most of his life. So, following in his footsteps at 17, I applied for a job as a trainee negotiator for a commercial estate agent in Central London. I was mostly dealing with the landlords of shops and offices who rented them to local businesses. Those early years helped me understand how landlords and councils tick; a massive advantage when years later I was opening my own new premises.

Alan Robinson: I was the youngest of 6 children, with 20 years between me and my eldest brother – make of that what you will. My Dad was an electrician on the railways and grafted all his life. When we left school he didn’t mince his words, we were to find work immediately. I took the train to London, dressed in a 3-piece suit (I’d borrowed) and started my first job as a trainee plumber. The foreman just laughed and passed me a set of overalls and a wrench. By lunchtime, I was back home in Northumberland Heath.

I dreaded a rollicking from my Dad, but he simply told me to get out the next day and find something I did want to do. By 10am I

AR: My boss was a great inspiration; he had a way of getting the most out of staff. I know our staff will claim it’s a competitive market in the 2020s but it’s nothing compared to the way local agents (in the 70s & 80s) used to trip each other up to win a listing or make a sale. You were lucky if you got a 1-week sole agency, so sales had to be made quickly. We’d run back to the office, open the hot box and have 3 or 4 viewings for that evening. If you put your guard down for 5 minutes, another agent would swipe your sale. Later you’d all be in the pub having a beer together.

PJ: In my early days I was answering the phones, producing the property details, a general gofer. After a few months, I was given the keys to the company Mini and suddenly the world opened up in front of me. Each day, when applicants arrived, I was told by the manager to take them to view properties and not to come back until I had sold them something. If a competitor’s board went up, I’d knock on the door pretending to be lost. Of course, I wasn’t, I was angling to win the business and would soon be sharing tea and cake with the owners.

You were young Peter when you started your own business, how did it start?

PJ: In 1962, aged 18, my father and I discussed whether, if he left his present company, we could open our own residential estate agency. At the time I was living at home and he was aged about 50 and a director of a local estate agent in the Bexley Borough, called Malcolm

Sanderson Estates. He felt we could make it a big success, so we hatched a plan.

Initially, I was to work at his current company based in Blackfen, as an introduction to residential sales. I’d then leave to drum up clients for our new agency. It was 24/7; days were spent thumbing through the property classifieds in the local paper and in the evenings, I knocked on doors offering our services. Nobody had heard of us, so I used my charm to win people over. Forget any social life, and I think I got paid £5 a week.

Having started to win the public over how did the business grow?

PJ: The company was called J.H. Jackson & Co – ‘Kent’s Foremost Estate Agents’ and it started life in a spare bedroom at my parent’s house. We couldn’t afford an office, but we had a little money to advertise properties in the papers and I manned the phone 7 days a week. My father eventually entrusted me to conduct accompanied viewings, so one of us would meet buyers at various train stations and take them to several properties.

Assuming I had done my job properly and they wanted to buy, I would take them back to my parent’s home. My mother would provide tea and biscuits, whilst my father completed the mortgage application form and hand-wrote all the letters to the vendor confirming the sale, buyer, building society and both solicitors.

You opened your first office in Albany Park, Sidcup. Was it an

instant success?

PJ: After a year we opened our first office in Albany Park and in our first month, we sold 19 properties with an average sale price of £3,000. Within 18 months, we opened the 2nd office in Barnehurst and then a year later, we heard a Dartford agent, Griggs & Co, was up for sale. It had the best location, on the corner, right opposite Station Approach so we stretched ourselves and snapped it up. Later it became our head office where Jacky Robinson (before she met Alan) took a job in our mailing department. During this period, we’d also acquired Pilley & Talbot in Gravesend. So, we had 4 offices in just a few years.

Then in walks Alan Robinson, was there instant chemistry?

AR: Peter always conveniently forgets that he threw me out of my first interview because my hair was too long! It was quickly cut, and 3 months later, I joined him and his father in 1969.

PJ: Did I throw you out, surely not? Alan was working for our biggest competitor; he was pretty experienced, and he started at the 5th office we’d just opened in Welling.

You’ve been business partners for 50 years, so I guess Alan passed his probation?

PJ: As a 20-year-old negotiator, he smashed it and was soon our top earner. Seeing the potential, I quickly made him a manager.

AR: Driving a branch team was a huge ambition fulfilled. I loved the family feel of the company, but there was always a competitiveness between the offices which we thrived on. I enjoyed mentoring and being

mentored. I looked up to Pete’s Dad, Jack Jackson who offered advice and personal encouragement throughout my career. In later years I’d call him ‘Pop’ although it was always ‘Mr Jackson’ in front of staff.

They say success leads to success, how did the next decade play out?

PJ: We acquired another old agent called Relph & Sons, established in 1858, with prime locations in Bexleyheath Broadway and Bexley. We then added Plumstead, Northumberland Heath, and Catford. Soon we were opening 3 or 4 offices a year.

AR: In about 1980, having successfully run many of the offices Pete opened, he said he’d spoken with his Dad who had agreed I should take up the Managing Director’s role and Pete would become the Chairman. We set out our plans and employed the best staff in key positions – including many of the faces you see around the business today. I led the sales force while Pete identified new premises, sorted bank finances and spearheaded the marketing of the company.

PJ: Our services included more than just sales, so I suggested we rebranded to Jackson Property Services and went for a bold green, red and white, and later the soon to become famous swift was added to our logo. Then came corporate merchandising, plus a print unit in Crayford – as big as a football pitch – producing thousands of flyers,

client confidential marketing files (vendor packs), weekly ‘Bestseller’ publications and flag-boards. You name it, we were all over it, including taking delivery in one day of 50 fully liveried white VW Polos which were seen everywhere the public went.

Jacksons was referred to as the green machine, where did that name come from?

PJ: Estate agency had been a maledominated industry, but Alan recruited on ability rather than gender. He also promoted females to managerial positions. We invited them to work with my wife, Gloria, (Alan’s original administrator at Welling) plus a highly regarded fashion house. Super smart green uniforms were made, and the ladies wore them with pride. Men had matching ties, wore sharp suits with branded badges and name tags. The creation of the green machine was complete with all business apparal worn with pride.

AR: It wasn’t just the way our staff looked but the way they behaved; they were hungry salesmen and women. Most had been brought up locally, so they also had empathy and compassion for our customers’ needs. In every area we opened, we were number 1 within 6 months. It was such an exciting period.

Where did you get your inspiration for all your ideas?

AR: In the early 80s we decided to reach out to Real Estate Agents in the US. Soon we were on a ‘jumbo’ to visit one brokerage in Florida and then onto Washington DC. This was a big deal for us, two young men who were more used to holidaying in Margate, and we loved it. The Americans loved us too and shared their sales techniques, approaches to motivation and of course marketing.

PJ: On our return, I worked day and night developing ideas to roll-out across our growing network. Alan never knew what idea I’d walk into his office with next. The big one was ‘open 9am ‘til 7pm, 7 days a week’, never seen before in the UK. The competition was up in arms; they were stuffy, stuck in their ways, and here were two young trailblazers setting new standards in estate agency.

AR: Pete came to me one winter and said he was advertising in the newspaper that Jacksons is open 365 days of the year. It took a moment for the penny to drop, but what he was basically telling me was to open all branches on Christmas Day. I can’t remember how, but we made it happen, (it may have been for one hour before the turkey was served).

Did you set out to one day sell the business?

PJ: It was not even on our radar. We’d driven the business to over 30 branches and was the biggest independent in the UK. However, in 1987, it became apparent that building societies were buying up estate agents as a channel to sell mortgage products and one day I took a call from a big name, then another and another. We had 2 or 3 pitching to buy the company, eventually, we signed with the Halifax and I was put on the main board of directors.

AR: I was just 36 years old, given a fancy title and tasked with expanding the network to 100 branches in London, Kent and Surrey. We rose to every challenge, including the rebrand of all the different companies acquired by the Halifax - 650 branches across the UK. Suddenly, Pete and I found ourselves in London’s ‘adland’ discussing commercials to be aired on the most popular TV programmes. Today, it makes me laugh when the online agents claim to be the first estate

agents to run multi-million-pound campaigns when we were doing it while they were in short trousers.

PJ: Our growth didn’t stop with opening branches, we added New Homes which Peter Knight (now Property Academy) ran with a brilliant team. Financial services grew exponentially; at one stage we were the biggest mortgage introducer in the UK. There were also lettings, conveyancing, removals –a one-stop shop!

You referred to Mr Jackson Senior earlier, did he have an ongoing role?

PJ: My father, never officially retired, he’d be at every company party and prize presentation, and we’d discuss the business regularly. When I disscussed the prospect of selling the company, he nodded and then proceeded to ask how the weekly ‘HITS LIST’ was looking. Funny, he still wanted to know the weekly progress up until he passed away, aged 96.

It’s now 1993, you’re both out of contract, what happens next?

AR: When we both left the Halifax, we were not allowed to work in estate agency for 3 years. This is standard, but it didn’t stop the successful ex-Jackson team talking to us about their desire to set up as new independent agents. Vince Hedges was the first to make the move, opening in Northumberland Heath. Then John Browning, Dave Powell, Mike Utchanah, James Cobden, plus Mark Kennedy and Tony Hodges. In fact, within the space of 10 years, we were up to 20 branches, with new faces sitting alongside the old JPS team. The ‘Jacksons DNA’ still pumps strongly through 200 staff to this day.

PJ: The structure of the business, as it stands today, is very different. The old JPS team didn’t want Alan and me as their bosses, and we didn’t want to be. The partnerships were created, with Owners responsible for the dayto-day running of their businesses, with Alan and I alongside them as shareholders. Work hard, play hard has always been our mantra. As a consequence, we have an incredible amount of combined experience amongst the Partners and it remains great fun. The last 30+ years have flown by!

The Robinson Jackson Group continues to be the #1 agent of choice, what’s the secret?

AR: Pete and I celebrate 50 years in business together and like to reflect on what has been achieved with our friends and workmates. JPS and Robinson Jackson have been big parts of so many peoples’ lives; whether they are staff that have worked for us for 5, 10… 25 years or the public, for whom we helped buy their first home.

Estate agency is a competitive world. I cannot think of many industries where companies have to win the stock before

they can sell it, and do not get paid until it is successfully sold, which is very unique in the service industry - one of the best deals in the business. Throw into the mix economic ups and downs and you’ve got the ultimate challenge for any salesman or woman. Pete and I have faced 6 recessions head-on and come through them, and we’ve enjoyed success neither of us could have dreamed of.

PJ: The ongoing success of the company, and the young blood that join us owe everything to previous decades and the experiences we all learnt along the way. It is easy to presume that Alan, me and the Owner Partners have always been there at the top, as bosses. However, we have all stood in a gloomy property, with our fingers crossed that the viewers will buy this ‘doer-upper’. Every member of our brilliant team has been there, done that!

There’s been a lot of talk about new companies causing seismic change, but they never replicate our success. At our core, we appreciate what agents do and the customer service needed. Others simply don’t get it! We will continue to evolve – adding fresh ideas and new technologies. We are proud of our past, and excited for the future.

And finally, what advice would you give to a young negotiator setting out on their career?

AR & PJ: It’s taken 50 years to establish an environment for your success, please grab it and take full advantage.

Introducing the Partners

It is often joked that one would be nothing without the other, but they complement each other perfectly. Alan Robinson is one of life’s great motivators, whilst Peter Jackson is a true innovator and, together, they’ve enjoyed a 50-year business partnership. The pair drove the legendary Jackson Property Services (JPS) in the 1970s and 80s and today sit alongside our Owner Partners, helping to create an environment where everyone can succeed.

The first Robinson Jackson office was opened in 1993, over 30 years ago, by Vince Hedges in Northumberland Heath near Erith. With his determination to maintain the highest standards and with the help of Garry Hazell, his right-hand man for the last 24 years, their team continues to fly the flag for the RJ Group as the number 1 local estate agent. Outside the business, you’ll find Vinnie with his family or winning money on the golf course.

James Cobden originally trained as a chef, but after too many flopped soufflés, went into sales and found his feet as a trainee negotiator at JPS, before working up to management at offices all over London. His Belvedere office may be one of our smallest but led by George Bontoft, our youngest partner, it packs a punch. When James is not liaising with local customers, you’ll find him telling stories, on the riverbank, about the one that got away.

Jack Glyde is our newest Owner Partner, taking over at Eltham in 2021. Having previously managed Belvedere with James Cobden, they are now partners in the business. Customers love Jack, and his charm, plus years of experience, has moved this branch out in front of the competition. Jack has his sights set on success, with mediocracy being unaceptable, so expect outstanding results from his team over the coming years.

The vast success across our Dartford, Swanley and Swanscombe offices is the legacy of many years of hard work by John Browning (JB) and his long-standing management team, including partners Robert Browning, Nick Menzies and Michelle Dean. JB’s staff have worked with him for most of their careers and share a special bond within the partnership. John may claim to take a back seat these days, but in reality, he likes to be in the thick of things.

As we move closer to London, the high streets get grittier, and the properties become more diverse. Our offices, led by Chris Perkins, in Catford and Lewisham have seen it all. Chris - who can often be spotted on the back of his Vespa or Lambretta - is a ‘mod about town’ who thrives on the continually changing cultural mix. His team are often the first to be hit, and successfully adapt, to market changes around London.

Mark Kennedy and Tony Hodges have worked together for many decades, heading their four market-leading offices, which include Blackfen, Plumstead, Orpington and Welling. They are hugely respected for their measured approach to business and contribution to the RJ Group. The pair are ably supported by the highly experienced Spencer Humble, John Speer and Andy Greene who complete their partnership team.

Kevin Wooder was the manager for Bexleyheath, and when the opportunity arose to take over the ownership, he leapt at the chance. Following its success, opening in Bexley Village was a natural decision and the two offices now work closely together. Kevin has a fantastic reputation with customers and goes the extra mile to establish trusting relationships in an area where residents appreciate personal service.

Robert Wright and his father-in-law David Powell opened Sydenham together in 2015. The area’s proximity to London has made it ripe for gentrification, and Rob has tailored his team to mirror the demands of the local professional clientele. Whilst David has now retired, Rob continues to build on the reputation they created to keep us in pole position.

Known locally as RMJ, our 7 branches covering the Medway towns are owned by Michael Utchanah and Simon Woodcock. Together they opened and ran Gravesend before adding Strood, Chatham, Walderslade, Rainham, Sittingbourne and, in 2022, Maidstone. You can always expect one of these branches to be in the running for our annual prizes. It’s an impressive network boasting nearly 70 staff who benefit from a brilliant management team with the addition of Andy Plaistowe and Lee Franklin as Partners.

One of our long-term goals was to grow the lettings side of our business in order to complement our sales services. In 2018, Dominic Kleywegt joined us, and within 5 years he had doubled our lettings business and was rewarded by becoming a partner. Like Ant & Dec, Dominic has a psychic partnership with his lieutenant, Joe Mullan. With their vast knowledge of the BTL investment market and a growing team, our lettings business moves from strength to strength.

Our biography would be incomplete without Tony Robinson and Toby Williams. Following an illustrious career in advertising, Tony has been our Group Operations Director for over a decade. His team includes designers, writers, plus CRM and digital specialists. Together they make great ideas happen. Toby, as our Finance Director, is our diligent bean counter. The Accounts team is always available to help whilst ensuring cash runs through the business smoothly and crucially that we all get paid.

Barnehurst

Sales - 01322 340000

Lettings - 01322 292805

barnehurst@robinson-jackson.com

290 Erith Road, Barnehurst, Kent, DA7 6HN

Belvedere

Sales - 01322 441010

Lettings - 01322 292805

belvedere@robinson-jackson.com

61 Nuxley Road, Belvedere, Kent, DA17 5JN

Bexley Village

Sales - 01322 559900

Lettings - 01322 292805 bexley@robinson-jackson.com

77 Bexley High Street, Bexley, Kent, DA5 1JX

Bexleyheath

Sales - 020 8298 7000

Lettings - 020 3409 4255 bexleyheath@robinson-jackson.com

124 Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent, DA6 7DQ

Catford

Sales - 020 8698 1234

Lettings - 020 3084 0000

catford@robinson-jackson.com

87 Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4AF

EAST DULWICH

SYDENHAM

LEWISHAM

CATFORD

BECKENHAM

Orpington

Sales - 01689 833322

Lettings - 020 3409 4255

orpington@robinson-jackson.com

292 High Street, Orpington, Kent, BR6 0NF

Plumstead

Sales - 020 8317 4111

Lettings - 020 3409 4255

plumstead@robinson-jackson.com

123-125 Plumstead Common Road, London, SE18 2UQ

THAMESMEAD WOOLWICH

CHARLTON

ABBEY WOOD

PLUMSTEAD BELVEDERE NORTH’ HEATH

SHOOTERS HILL

LONDON LETTINGS ELTHAM

WELLING

BARNEHURST BEXLEYHEATH

GREENHITHE

GRAYS

SIDCUP & DARTFORD SWANSCOMBE

BLACKFEN

BEXLEY

FOOTS CRAY CHISLEHURST

SUTTON AT HONE

EBBSFLEET GARDEN CITY

BROMLEY

ST PAULS CRAY

PETTS WOOD

ST MARY CRAY CROFTON

ORPINGTON

GREEN STREET GREEN

SWANLEY

FARNINGHAM

EYNSFORD

Group Network

Rainham Sales - 01634 263000

Lettings - 01634 565888

rainham@robinson-jackson.com

17 High Street, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7HX

Sidcup

Sales - 020 8298 0500

Lettings - 020 3409 4255

sidcup@robinson-jackson.com

1 & 2 Wellington Parade, Sidcup, Kent, DA15 9NB

Sittingbourne

Sales - 01795 479999

Lettings - 01634 565888

sittingbourne@robinson-jackson.com

38 West Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 1AP

Strood

Sales - 01634 722777

Lettings - 01634 565888

strood@robinson-jackson.com

109 High Street, Strood, Kent, ME2 4TJ

Chatham

Sales - 01634 880888

Lettings - 01634 565888

chatham@robinson-jackson.com

22b Military Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4JA

Dartford

Sales - 01322 281281

Lettings - 01322 292805 dartford@robinson-jackson.com

22 Market Street, Dartford, Kent, DA1 1EZ

Ebbsfleet Garden City

Sales - 01322 941333

Lettings - 01474 333111

ebbsfleetgardencity@robinson-jackson.com

67 Cherry Orchard, Ebbsfleet Valley, Kent, DA10 1AD

Lee - London Lettings

Sales - 020 8698 1234

Lettings - 020 3084 0000 london.lettings@robinson-jackson.com

1-3 Eltham Rd, London, SE12 8ES

CLIFFE

Lewisham

Sales - 020 8297 8777

Eltham

Sales - 020 8859 9600

Lettings - 020 3084 0000 eltham@robinson-jackson.com

2-4 Court Yard, Eltham, London, SE9 5PZ

Gravesend

Sales - 01474 333111

Lettings - 01474 333111

gravesend@robinson-jackson.com

21A & B King Street, Gravesend, Kent, DA12 2EB

Swanley

SHORNE HIGHAM COBHAM

Sales - 01322 666444

Lettings - 01322 292805

swanley@robinson-jackson.com

39 High Street, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8AE

Swanscombe

Sales - 01322 624440

Lettings - 01474 333111

swanscombe@robinson-jackson.com

39 High Street, Swanscombe, Kent, DA10 0AG

ALLHALLOWS

Maidstone

Sales - 01622 476666

North’Heath

Sales - 01322 340000

ISLE OF GRAIN

Lettings - 020 3084 0000 lewisham@robinson-jackson.com

27 Lewis Grove, Lewisham, London, SE13 6BG

HOO

Lettings - 01622 476666 maidstone@robinson-jackson.com

15A King Street; Maidstone Kent ME14 1BA

Lettings - 01322 292805

northheath@robinson-jackson.com 226 Bexley Road, North'Heath, Kent, DA8 3HB

Sydenham

Sales - 020 8776 6660

Lettings - 020 3084 0000

sydenham@robinson-jackson.com

256 Kirkdale, Sydenham, London, SE26 4NL

Walderslade

Sales - 01634 868000

Lettings - 01634 565888

walderslade@robinson-jackson.com

381 Walderslade Road, Walderslade, Kent, ME5 9LL

Welling

Sales - 020 8303 5213

Lettings - 020 3409 4255

welling@robinson-jackson.com

146 Welling High Street, Welling, Kent, DA16 1TJ