“It’s not often I’ve had someone say I’ve done a bad job.”
Summit Property Management general manager Stewart Henry has scaled up the property career ladder to his 25th year at the Top of the South company and received deposits of recognition for the milestone at its annual awards last month.
“It kind of makes you feel a bit old, to be honest,” he laughs.
Stewart was sold on the profession at age 20, managing a letting agency in Napier before relocating to London where he culminated in running London’s Central Lettings Group for a prominent UK brand, dealing with high-end properties and clients for ten years.
Upon returning to New Zealand in the 1990s, he joined the property management company he would remain at for a quarter-century.
“I thought [Summit] were a go-ahead firm, which was what I was looking for, I liked their energy, go-ahead business planning and most importantly, the culture,” he says.
“It’s about really looking after clients and helping them in the best ways we can as a business, and taking care of the team members that operate and work for the company.
“We understand that everyone is different, has different needs and unique skills, and we celebrate that… these are the big reasons for me to stay with the company for this long.”
Stewart, who is currently based at Summit’s Nelson office, says unlike sales, property management offers a “rewarding” relationship, with some clients for up to two decades.
“Being with them on that journey of having property for a period of time, changing tenants, refurbishing, and to see people at the end of it with a really good asset and income, it’s great,” he says.
“The role has become a lot more professional, and a lot more technical… the standard of housing is a lot better, and we’ve got good guidelines to go by so we know we’re doing the right thing.”
Stewart’s Summit career also includes building up its property management networks in Richmond, Motueka, Blenheim and Picton.
He says the company’s values, local ownership and giving back to the community keeps him in the role.
