Davidson Estates has recruited an experienced property consultant to help handle the growth in new homes and land investments across Birmingham.
Jonathan Smith has been appointed as a new home and investment consultant at the expanding estate and letting agency, taking its total staffing up to six.
Mr Smith had most recently been working as a manager in CBRE’s office lettings team in Guangzhou, China, where his clients included Marriott, Siemens, Universal Music and many others.
He is fluent in Mandarin after 15 years of living and working in China, and had previously served as a manager in the property management team at Colliers International, looking after customer service, service standards and tenant relations.
Ben Davidson, managing director of Davidson Estates, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to our team and are sure that his experience in property will see him thrive as we continue to expand.
“While the economy has had its challenges in the last 12 months due to COVID-19, we’re still seeing healthy growth in property development.
“Jonathan will be selling new homes through our Davidson Developments website, also pitching to developers for new sales and lettings contracts, and selling land and schemes with or without planning permission as part of our property investment consultancy.”
Mr Davidson added: “We also feel Jonathan’s Mandarin could be useful, as we expect a continuation of foreign investment once lockdown restrictions have been lifted.”
The recruitment comes after Davidson Estates boosted its presence by opening its second office in Birmingham at Unit 2 in Liberty Place, Sheepcote Street, close to Brindleyplace.
The firm, launched in 2009, was originally based in Edgbaston where it still has its first office at 14 Frederick Road.
Mr Smith, who has a degree from The Open University, studied Mandarin Chinese in Guangzhou, a city of over 13 million people. While studying, he also tutored English and coached football in his spare time.
Now married with a young son, he decided to return from China in January last year, as he thought it was time to put roots down back in the UK.
Mr Smith said: “Initially, COVID-19 meant job opportunities were evaporating, roles pushed back or cancelled, and I had to deal with a lot of uncertainty.
“But I kept active, kept positive, and kept looking and was rewarded for my efforts with this opportunity at Davidson Estates.
“From my first Zoom call, I could tell it was going to be an interesting role to sink my teeth into. Better still, Ben struck me as both professional and affable, and the company is very well presented.”
Previously from Stoke-on-Trent, he has now moved to Birmingham with his family, and added: “It’s an exciting time to be in this city, that’s for sure.
“I have enjoyed getting to grips with all the projects and future developments coming in the next few years, and I’m looking forward to being involved in what I feel is going to be rapid property development opportunities.”
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Media contact
Rebecca Morpeth Spayne,
Editor, Showhome Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]
