Managing Director – Martin King
My role is to drive growth, build relationships with new and existing clients and to work with our teams to ensure we deliver the best possible service to our customers. I enjoy leading people and enabling teams to maximise their full potential, and it is a privilege to lead FirstPort, as we work to deliver our ambitious plans.
UK Operations Director – Mike Dowland
My role is to work with our Operations Directors to deliver on our commitments to customer service and growth. It is also a key focus for me that wherever possible we simplify our systems and processes. Property management is tough so I try to ensure the job of our property managers is made as easy as possible, which I believe will naturally lead to great levels of customer and job satisfaction.
What I enjoy about my role…
I love a problem to solve and there are no shortage of those in this industry! We have very talented people in this business but as we continue to grow, it naturally becomes harder to maintain tight-knit teams, so I really enjoy seeing great teamwork and encouraging collaborations wherever possible.
Director of Operational Excellence – Jo Green
I work with teams to drive operational excellence across all areas of the business by pioneering improvements through capability and process analysis and implementing best practices.
Over the past two decades, I have worked in both large international corporations and fast-growing start-ups within the UK’s Build to Rent and residential property management sectors. In my role at FirstPort, I will draw on my experience in strategic growth, operational transformation, and business development to help the company expand and capture additional market share.
What I enjoy about my role…
Being part of an incredible team and working collaboratively to ensure everything we do is done to the highest of standards.
Service Charge Accounting Director – Philip Cummings
I have worked in the property management industry for 25 years, and I am responsible for Service Charge Accounting. I oversee the team that supports our Property Managers and customers, by preparing annual accounts for the developments that we manage, as well as handling accounting enquiries throughout the year.
What I most enjoy about my role…
I really enjoy Service Charge Accounting because of the high volume involved. Things never stand still for long and that constant change and striving to be better is highly motivating.
Customer Operations Director – Cathy Reid
I oversee several departments directly related to the service our customers receive, including customer service, managing assets, and handling external communications. I also work closely with other functions in the business, to ensure that we are continually putting our customers first.
What I most enjoy about my role…
The interaction with people and striving to prioritise our customers’ needs. I love the dynamic nature of our business and workforce, as well as the opportunity to successfully serve our customers. I have a strong passion for improving processes and the customer journey, to identify areas for enhancement that ultimately benefit our customers.
Human Resources Director – Emma Whitehouse
I am responsible for the Human Resources team, which includes Recruitment, the HR Business Partnering Team and Learning and Development. I also work closely with our People Experience team to ensure we deliver a great colleague journey from the start to the end.
What I most enjoy about my role…
The diverse nature of our business, alongside the range of our roles and colleagues, and the fact no two days are ever the same. I also enjoy working alongside the business to enable our colleagues to be the best version of themselves and to deliver a great customer experience.
Finance Director – Will Ahern
My role is to own the financials of FirstPort, ensure we achieve our budgets and make sure controls are in place to protect our financial position. I work closely with the leadership team to make commercial decisions that allow FirstPort to grow and reach our financial goals and targets. The finance team work across the rest of FirstPort to support on monthly results, budgeting and driving our strategy through daily decisions.
What I most enjoy about my role…
The variety of people I get to engage with daily, the fast pace of what we do as a business and the trying to realise the ambitions we have as a company.
Portfolio and Client Services Director – Paul Atkinson
I am responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with our clients, working with developers, freeholders and investors to ensure the successful management of their properties, whilst helping to navigate some of the more complex and challenging areas of our industry, including ongoing regulatory change.
What I most enjoy about my role…
I work closely with my colleagues to help develop our team and the individuals within it, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to support our clients, whilst also supporting the growth of our business.
Operations Director – Victoria Peake
I have extensive experience in the London real estate market, with a keen interest in new build and regeneration projects, as well as preserving the Capital’s historical mansion block stock. I work with RMCs and Developers to ensure the buildings we look after remain safe and compliant, whilst also ensuring they are well cared for and happy places for residents to live. Through my 20+ years of experience, I’m proud to work with my dedicated London team to provide a tailored service to meet Resident Directors’ requirements, whilst still providing the high standard of core services our customers expect from us. This includes using our experience and expertise to take the burden from Resident Directors when faced with vital projects and complex processes, such as building remediation and major works.
What I most enjoy about my role…
No two days are the same. I oversee multi-block developments with large areas of public open space, through to buildings with amenities that require expert care.
Operations Director – Gareth Cayford
My role is to ensure my team deliver on our commitment of keeping residents safe and supporting them in building engaged communities across all our developments. We strive to deliver a service which represents value for money for our customers and clients, underpinned by delivering strong, uncomplicated property management to high standards.
What I most enjoy about my role…
Independent retirement living offers a fantastic way of life for thousands of residents at our developments. I enjoy working with developers, clients, suppliers and customers to continually improve our service offering, deliver further value for money and support the communities in making the most of the communal facilities which provide a welcoming and enjoyable community feel.
Operations Director – Michelle Lewis
I head up our local teams which manage the developments across the country, to ensure communities are safe, tidy and welcoming for our customers.
What I most enjoy about my role…
We offer a great community feel whilst keeping our customers safe and informed about the management of their home. I enjoy working with our local teams to manage our diverse portfolio, ensuring that all communal areas and facilities look and operate well, for the enjoyment of our customers.
Operations Director – Jonny Holmes
I work closely with clients and stakeholders, including a number of developers, to manage the complexities of estates that typically consist mostly of freehold houses, but with responsibility to maintain communal areas, including play areas, protected habitat, complex drainage systems, established trees, woodland and roads.
What I most enjoy about my role…
I enjoy changing perceptions. When people think of estates their assumption is “cutting the grass”. In reality, modern estates are anything but and require technical expertise and professional management to ensure that often complex facilities are maintained to a high standard.
Health & Safety Director – Fleur Bowen
I am responsible for the Health & Safety, Fire Safety, and Building Safety teams. Across these teams, we work to ensure that the developments we manage are safe and meet the necessary compliance obligations and duties.
What I most enjoy about my role…
Taking our compliance obligations and identifying how they need to be applied in practice. I also enjoy visiting developments as much as possible, to understand how we can best support our site staff and customer facing teams. This helps us to ensure our developments are compliant with the latest regulations and residents remain safe in their homes.
