"No barriers to career progression and success at Preston Baker Estate Agents"
Emma Douglas is Head of First Contact at Preston Baker Estate Agents, managing a team of 25 people; a position she is delighted to have been promoted to and proof she says that there are no barriers to career progression and success within the company.
“A few years ago I would never have believed I would be Head of First Contact and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the age of 28,” said Emma.
“I think it shows that there are no barriers to doing well at Preston Baker; if you work hard and produce good results you will be rewarded.”
Emma studied Mathematics at university and afterwards did a placement as a Modelling Analyst at Lloyds Bank, moving to work as a Risk Analyst at HSBC.
Emma said: “I realised that type of work just wasn’t for me. There was no interaction with people; you just sat behind a desk. That was no good for me; I like to talk!”
So Emma decided to go off travelling the world. When she returned home she was “broke” and living back with her parents.
She got a temping job working an as Accompanied Viewer for Coalters estate and letting agents in York.
“I absolutely loved it; I was out on the road, speaking to customers.”
Within just a few weeks a Sales Negotiator role came up and Emma got it. Again she loved the role, but could not see a progression route.
“I was then approached by Preston Baker about a Senior Negotiator role, which would allow me to do more valuing and also put me on the company’s Management Development Programme with a view to becoming a Branch Manager one day,” said Emma.
Within 18 months Emma became Branch Manager of Preston Baker’s Headingley branch, carrying out all the valuations in the area.
“Within just a year-and-a-half of joining Preston Baker the promise of progression was kept.”
Then Covid hit and Preston Baker revolutionised its structure, with the focus on enabling individual employees to flourish doing what they do best and in doing so give the best possible service.
The Preston Baker Academy was launched, including the company’s First Contact and Business Growth teams, offering openings for graduates with a very structured induction and training programme and clearly defined progression routes through the company. The aim; to give the best possible service to customers and attract, nurture and retain the best talent in the industry.
Emma applied for and was successful in getting the position of Head of First Contact and now manages the Preston Baker Academy, including the First Contact and Business Growth teams.
“I wasn’t the favourite candidate for the role, nor was I the most experienced, but I was told I demonstrated my capability to succeed in the role.
“My career really has taken off since starting at Preston Baker and I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and support given to me here.”
Emma has future ambitions, which include to progress further at Preston Baker and perhaps one day to run her own business. She is passionate about interior design and is currently renovating a cottage in Harewood she shares with boyfriend Hugh and their Jack Russell Monty. In any spare time she likes to walk and socialise with friends.
“Preston Baker is a company that delivers on its promises if you put the work in. It’s a very high pressurised environment but for the right people there are no barriers to progression and success.
“We are market leaders in the customer experience and results we deliver and this is backed up by statistics and customer feedback. We genuinely offer a service that other companies don’t.
“What we do well too is recognising people’s efforts and hard work, with regular praise for good work, incentives, parties and camaraderie. If extra support is needed it is always there and I have needed this at times in each role I have had. Whenever you struggle there is someone there to help you.
“I would definitely recommend Preston Baker as a place to work. The company will do all it can to help you get to where you want to be if you show the right attitude and put in the graft.”
Pictures show Emma.
