Carly French and her husband Lee (main picture) have become the new owners of Belvoir’s flagship Grantham office – the first High Street office for the property franchise business.

Carly had been branch manager for the past 11 years but when an opportunity arose for her to become the new owner after Belvoir merged with The Property Franchise Group she did not hesitate.

DREAM COME TRUE

She says: “This is an absolute dream come true for me. My husband Lee has joined me as a co-director and will be working with me behind the scenes to ensure the business is as successful as it can be. He has fantastic skills in compliance, management and operations and will be an enormous asset to the business.”

I always dreamed of buying Belvoir Grantham but never thought that would be possible.”

She adds: “I have always dreamed of buying Belvoir Grantham, but never thought that would be possible. Then when Belvoir merged with The Property Franchise Group in January of this year, I thought it was the perfect time to put forward the idea. The acquisition went through smoothly, and Lee and I honestly could not be happier. We are both very excited about the future.”

Carly admits that becoming an owner rather than a manager will require a different mindset but she says: “Although it will be challenging, it is also incredibly exciting for us both. I have dreamed of this for so many years and can hardly believe it has happened.”

INCREDIBLY EXPERIENCED

Ian Maclean, Belvoir Franchise Director, says: “Carly initially joined Belvoir in 2012, working as a trainee Business Development Manager but already had several years of experience in running property management agencies in Grantham and Newark.

“She is incredibly experienced and knowledgeable in all aspects of the property market, and when after six months, an opportunity came up for her to manage Belvoir Grantham, which was Belvoir’s very first office, she leapt at the opportunity.”

He adds: “We are delighted that she is now the owner, as it is always a perfect solution when someone who works within a Belvoir office decides to buy it, because they know the business and the clients and operational systems so well, which makes for a very smooth transition.”