Outstanding? Estate agency first as firm gets Ofsted accreditation

Dexters has become the first estate agent in the UK to gain Ofted accreditation for its training academy after the Office for Standards in Education passed it with flying colours.

The London-based agency currently employs over 2000 people with almost half having achieved professional qualifications including RICS memberships and 250 working towards their professional apprenticeship qualification.

FUTURE LEADERS

Dexters Academy was praised by Ofsted for helping to ‘retain and develop future leaders of the business’.

It reported ‘extremely positive findings’ among both the Dexters coaching team and apprentices who work on the specialised Estate Agency and Lettings Development Programme, combining industry specific qualifications alongside on-the-job coaching.

The Ofsted report recognised that ‘Leaders create a supportive culture and are ambitious to recruit, retain and develop future leaders of the business’ and that ‘Colleagues are happy and proud to work for Dexters’.

It also said ‘Apprentices can confidently provide help and advice to clients through their thorough understanding of the estate agency profession’ and that ‘Apprentices feel valued and motivated’.

Ofted also reported trainees’ positive attitude towards their studies, the supportive culture in which they thrived, and the speed with which they gained a knowledge of their profession.

INDUSTRY MILESTONE

Andy Shepherd (main picture), Dexters Chief Executive, says: “Dexters was the UK’s first estate agency employment training provider and now we have achieved another industry milestone – this time as the UK’s first estate agent to gain accreditation by Ofted for our dedicated Training Academy.

“Our strategy is to invest in our people and recruit, train, retain and develop future leaders of the business and our training programme has now been officially and independently recognised by Ofsted.”

And he adds: “We have always agreed with the Government that estate agents should be suitably professionally trained and qualified to ensure they can give the very best expert advice to customers.”

The Neg reported in June how Dexters had seen a 3% rise in revenue to £147.1 million.