Thanks dad! Son of agency’s first employee starts at the bottom as apprentice
Mishon Mackay's first employee Guy Sumners brings his tech-enabled son Oliver on board who says proptech is now key element of industry.
A leading South of England estate agency has taken ‘keeping it in the family’ to its logical conclusion after the son of its first employee has been hired as an apprentice.
Oliver Sumners (pictured, left) has joined Brighton-based Mishon Mackay and is the son of first employee Guy Sumners (pictured, middle) who joined the firm after to was established in 1987 by Alex Mackay (right).
Nearly four decades later and the estate agency has eight offices covering both London and Sussex and nearly 60 employees.
Oliver, like many younger agents reared with a smartphone in their hands, is keen on proptech and says the pandemic has “done wonders for pushing forward the use of new technologies”.
This includes the digital Giraffe360 cameras the firm now uses to produce upmarket property photos.
‘Nothing has changed’
His new boss – Alex Mackay who remains a director of the estate agency along with Sumners – is more traditional, saying: “In essence nothing has changed, because it is still all about getting the best price for your clients’ properties.
“The industry remains, very much, a customer-facing business and without great people skills you’re likely to fail.”
Mackay also adds that it is “important that we invest in the next generation and keep our business heading in the right direction with leadership and continuity.
“I would recommend anyone entering the business, whether in sales or lettings, should ensure their employer has a good training programme to ensure you can attain the necessary qualifications, plus receive the best guidance and support in the industry.”