Estate agent returns to firm where he started his career – after 24 years

A COTSWOLDS estate agent has returned to the office where his career began, almost a quarter of a century ago.

Tim Stanley started his career selling houses in 1994 at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester.

As a trainee negotiator, local lad Tim – who was born at Querns Hospital, grew up in the town, and attended Farmor's School in Fairford – was trained in all aspects of the property industry, from legislation to valuation, before he was lured by the bright lights of Swindon.

Now, 24 years later, he has returned to Moore Allen as a residential estate agent – and there were still plenty of friendly faces to welcome his return.

Tim said: "After attending Swindon College, I spent two years at Moore Allen. It gave me my grounding in estate agency, and as a multi-disciplinary practice I also got to help at farm sales and cattle markets."

After a couple of years it was onwards and upwards for Tim. He joined Halifax Hobbs and Chambers, with whom he finished a six-year career as an estate agency partner, before moving to Humberts in Bourton-on-the-Water.

"Swindon was a very competitive market place," said Tim.

"There were 33 agents on Commercial Road, all vying for the same properties. The north Cotswolds was far more relaxed – there were fewer properties, but they were far more expensive. I went from selling 30 houses a month to one a week."

In 2012, keen golfer Tim moved to Chippenham, helping to grow one estate agency and launch another.

And in April he returned to Moore Allen & Innocent.

"1996 was a long time ago, but there are still some senior team members who were here when I started my career in estate agency, and it's been great re-establishing that professional relationship with them, and meeting my new colleagues," said Tim.

"We share the same set of traditional values – that our business dealings are clear and transparent, and that customer service comes above everything else.

"Returning to Moore Allen & Innocent after all these years feels great."