Growing letting agency scoops two prestigious accolades

Apprentice star Karren Brady has presented a growing North East lettings agency with two top accolades at a prestigious event in London.

Castledene Group scooped Gold at the Lettings Agency of the Year Awards. winning the title of ‘Best Medium Northern Lettings Agency 2013.’

The agency from Easington in County Durham also took home a Silver award in the ‘Best Lettings Property Management 2013’ category.

.The ceremony took place at the Lancaster London Hotel and was hosted by Karren Brady in association with The Sunday Times and The Times, sponsored by Zoopla.

More than 500 people from top lettings agencies from across the country attended the event where Castledene Group’s managing director John Paul accepted the awards.

John Paul said: “We’re so proud to have represented the North East in London and to bring home a Gold award from such a prestigious industry ceremony.

“This is only event solely focussed on lettings, and is the longest running and most sought after award for lettings agents, so it’s a real privilege to have been recognised.

“It has been a great year so far, which is a testament to the hard work all the team have put in.

“A company is only as good as its staff and they deserve all the credit for what we have achieved.

“We won Investors in People Gold in March, launched a ‘Rent to Own’ scheme to help potential buyers take their first steps on the property ladder, and recently acquired Property Finders North East Ltd, so we’re continuing to steadily grow and develop as a business, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2013 will have in store.”

The company was established in August 2008, iIt now employs 33 staff and manages more than 1850 properties in the North East over six branches including Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Cleveland and Durham.

The judging process took place over a four month period by a panel of industry experts, and was chaired by The Property Ombudsman with the backing of ARLA.

When awarding Gold to Castledene Group, the judging panel commented: “John Paul is enthusiastic about his business and his passion is contagious, motivating his team and enthusing the judges too.

“Castledene’s huge growth can be attributed to the corporate and professional manner in which it operates.

“The company is extremely systemised, allowing for great customer service throughout, and its customer retention is impressive.”

This is the second year running that Castledene Group has been successful at the Lettings Agency of the Year Awards, as the team won Silver in the ‘Best Medium Northern Lettings Agency’ category in 2012.