Northern Insight Meets Hannah Lamb, Managing Director, Charles Lamb Sales & Lettings

When Charles and Lois Lamb took the plunge and opened their lettings company in 1995, little did they know the concern would become one of the major organisations in its field within the North East, some 22 years later.

The company was originally a lettings and management only company; now a small but thriving sales operation enhances the original purpose of Charles Lamb. Charles Lamb had extensive knowledge of the business, having worked for a number of companies prior to the opening of their business and his father, Charles Lamb senior, contributed a sizeable portfolio himself. With years of experience and a number of contacts within the profession, setting up his own company, seemed a logical step to take. Although nervous, Lois provided the encouragement and support needed to move forward with it. From that day, they never looked back. Their daughter Hannah took over the running of the business when Charles and his wife took early unplanned retirement in 2012, due to a change in Charles health. “From day one, I have been involved with the company.

At only 15 years old, I sat one evening in front of the family computer in school uniform and created the very first logo for the company, being paid a fiver for my trouble; very generous from my dad at the time,” comments Hannah, “that logo has stood the test of time, it wasn’t replaced until I took over in 2012. Since then, I have been behind every decision in respect of the look and style of our brand, keeping in mind, our name and history matter most. Back at the beginning, Hannah worked for pocket money on a Saturday, filing and typing but steadfastly refusing to answer the telephone, a terrifying experience for her. Something which was addressed when Charles offered his daughter an extra 50p per hour if she would change her mind.

It took some convincing but the outcome was inevitable in the end. At 18, she began her career in property, working with Estate Agents, Cooke and Co in Whitley Bay as office junior, which provided good experience. “Nigel Cooke was a great person to work for and I loved my time working there, however at the time, my heart was elsewhere.” Originally Hannah’s ambition was to be an air hostess and she applied for jobs with long haul airlines. Her future changed on September 11th following the twin tower attack. In November 2001, she began working as lead receptionist and secretary for Charles Lamb. “I always dreamed of travelling the world and what better way to do it, than to get paid for it. My first interview was scheduled on the 14th September 2001, three days after the terror attacks in New York. Needless to say, the interview was cancelled and the rest is history. The plan was to work for the company for one year, to help my parents out after a string of unsuitable staff came and went. They wanted someone they could rely on and trust, so I joined them. I was hopeful the airlines would start recruiting again and I would pick up where I left off but things changed and the idea of being away up to 5 days a week, just wasn’t appealing anymore.” Sixteen years later, she is now the sole Director and Shareholder in charge of the company. Since taking over, she has made changes, putting her stamp on the company, “In 2014, I opened our sales department. It was following approach from a landlord who trusted me and wanted to continue working with me, the sales side was born. She wanted to sell her portfolio and asked me if I could help. There were other landlords looking to sell their assets or buy so it seemed logical and good business strategy to work with them,” advises Hannah, “I have always been honest in the respect, that if I don’t have the knowledge to do something, I will either recommend someone who can, or learn what’s needed. With great support from a couple of local agents, including Nigel Cooke and Mark Finch of Goldfinch Estate Agents, I found my way, ticked the legal boxes and started selling.” “Although it’s a very small side of the business, it’s nice I can offer my clients the whole package if needed. It’s that extra level of service I feel is important when you have clients who’ve been with you from day 1 and who want someone they can trust to handle their most valuable assets.” When Charles and Lois set up the business, Charles took the view, if he could comfortably drive to a location in an hour, he would value it. Hannah has stuck to that ethos and it’s served the company well, “I think part of that comes from the love of a nice car and enjoying driving.

I have my dad to thank for the ‘petrol gene’ but the other part is that you go where the business is. Every year, the competition gets greater. If someone comes to you, based on reputation and name, it’s a proud moment and it makes you want to go that extra mile.” In 1995, when Charles Lamb was set up, there wasn’t a great deal of competition, Today, the scale of other companies in the same field, has risen greatly, following the huge downturn in 2007, which forced Estate Agents to move into the letting field, just so their business could survive. For that reason, it’s testament to how the company has been administered, it’s one of the leading players in the region. “Lettings and property management used to be a specialist field and to be fair, with the legislation covering it today, it still is, however, I understand that businesses have to move and change to keep up with environment changes, which is why the Estate Agents opened lettings departments and Letting Agents opened sales departments,” says Hannah “The property management side of the industry has always been the most challenging and in particular has become more complex over the years. I complete my National Federation of Property Professional Qualifications in 2005 and I’m still going on training courses with my team to keep up to date with the changes as and when they happen. This job requires extensive expertise in dealing with government legislation and needs constant attention, including flair in dealing with situations which can become fraught.” Hannah and her team are professionals with knowledge second to none in their field. It’s even more remarkable that Hannah has managed a business of this stature, while becoming a mother in late 2015 to her beautiful daughter, Sophia. Her partner Scott, also running his own business in the gas, plumbing & electrical field, means juggling work and family time is also a full time job. To add to her repertoire, she set up her own cleaning company whilst on maternity leave keeping control of as many parts of her property management field as possible. When she took maternity leave to have her daughter, she could be secure in the knowledge her team at the company, including the temporary return of Charles & Lois, would take on the running of Charles Lamb, continuing to operate it to the fashion and standards she and her parents would expect. Landlords and Tenants need reassurance that their valuable investments and homes are in good hands and this is the service Hannah and her team over the last 22 years have provided and will continue to provide in the future. It’s a comprehensive service provided by specialists with an enviable reputation.