An interview with property expert Marc Woolfe, the Director of Sales & Marketing at Barratt David Wilson Homes North Thames.
How did you join the property industry?
I moved from Manchester to Northampton in 2012 to join the Barratt Developments Aspire Graduate scheme following the completion of my Management & Marketing of Fashion Textiles degree at the University of Manchester.
From a graduate, I was promoted to Trainee Sales Manager and have since climbed the ranks, taking on the role of Director of Sales & Marketing for the Barratt David Wilson Homes North Thames region last year.
What does your job entail now?
My role is to predominately lead the department to make sure that we deliver the required sales and legal completions to achieve our targets. We do this by ensuring the sales teams have enough of the right leads to convert into sales, and then we progress these through to exchange and legal completion in a timely manner. This is all done whilst ensuring we offer our clients outstanding customer service.
At the same time, I support the board in meeting our divisional objectives. This can include supporting the land department in maximising land opportunities or working with the technical and commercial teams to ensure we are building the right product effectively.
I am also Head of the Charity Committee for the division. This year, we have partnered with Electric Umbrella which is a charity dedicated to creating interactive music experiences with learning disabled people. I am incredibly proud to support local charities and the work we do to make a difference in the communities we operate in.
Where does Barratt David Wilson North Thames operate?
The North Thames division covers Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Many towns and cities within these areas offer a fantastic way of life and excellent transport links at a much more affordable cost than London, attracting a wide range of buyers.
Particularly post-pandemic, buyers are looking for that mixture of countryside peace and quiet while still being commutable to the city. There are lots of places in the commuter belt that we would like to explore for future development to meet this demand.
What do you like most about the property industry?
I know it has become a cliché answer; however, my favourite moment will always be when we hand over the keys to a residents’ new home, especially first time buyers.
We often get first time buyers who presume they cannot afford to take their first step on the property ladder, but once we have explained the process to them, including the schemes and mortgage products available, they soon release they can afford much more than they once thought!
How have you seen the property market change?
With the next generation of first time buyers, we are seeing a real influx of people putting emphasis on green open space. People want more open space to walk their dogs or live an active lifestyle and with working from home showing no signs of going away, there is less desire to stay in London. Just 30 minutes outside of the city, you can get a two-bedroom home with a garden in Aylesbury for the same price as a one-bedroom apartment in Zone 3.
Buyers are also becoming increasingly concerned with the sustainability of a home, particularly when it comes to how much money it will save them in energy bills.
However, Gen Z is more concerned about the environmental impact of their lifestyle, and they are asking more questions about the long-term sustainability of the home. As this generation become first time buyers in the next 5-10 years, this will become even more apparent.
Finally, what advice would you give someone starting a career in the property industry?
There is no one traditional route into a role in property. It is exceptionally difficult to know what route to go down when you’re a young person and that is why The Barratt Graduate Scheme is perfectly designed to help people specialise in a certain sector. The scheme allows people to rotate around different departments, as it is a two-year programme offering an introduction to Land, Technical, Commercial, Construction, Finance and Sales. There are so many opportunities in the property industry that people may not realise!
