The director at a Cheshire and North Wales estate and lettings agency is marking 25 years with the business.
Nicola Blake joined Cavendish at 17 as an office junior and has progressed through a range of roles to become a director, a position she has held for nearly four years.
Working across the firm’s offices in Chester, Mold and Ruthin, Blake began her career after responding to a local newspaper advert. Early roles included lettings negotiator and tenancy manager, where she handled move-ins, check-outs and property inspections.
After a period based in the Mold office following the birth of her daughter, she moved into a senior leadership track, becoming operations manager in 2022 and later stepping into an operations director role.
Blake said she decided to pursue a long-term career in property several years after joining, as opportunities to progress within the company emerged. She has since gained Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications in property agency management with Propertymark, and was among the first agents in the UK to achieve the Level 4 certificate.
She said the move into a director role has involved greater involvement in business planning, including decisions around technology, staff development and service delivery.
Blake also oversees training for new team members, a part of the role she says is particularly important as the business continues to grow.
Blake said: “I had always been interested in property, so the advert for an office junior sounded perfect when I spotted it in the local paper.
“After about five or six years I felt I could make a career in the property sector and new opportunities kept coming along to progress at Cavendish.
“During my time with the company I have worked as a lettings negotiator and tenancy manager responsible for checking tenants in and out and inspections. After my daughter was born, I had a spell working in the Mold office before becoming operations manager in 2022 and operations director two years later.
“From a young age, I had a strong work ethic instilled in me and have gained various qualifications along the way including my Level 3 and Level 4 certificates in property agency management with our professional body Propertymark. I was one of the first ever agents in the country to gain the Level 4 qualification.”
She added: “I have been happy to build my career with Cavendish because I have always felt supported and have been given opportunities to continue progressing.
“Becoming a director in 2022 was a big thing as it gave me the opportunity to work with the other directors on strategic decisions to ensure that we continue to innovate, embrace new technologies, invest in our people and ensure the business can provide the best possible service to our clients.
“One of the areas of my job that I enjoy most is helping to oversee the training of new members of the Cavendish team. There is no reason why anyone can’t succeed and rise through the ranks like I did if they work hard and have a desire to learn.”
Managing director David Adams said Blake’s progression reflects her long-term contribution to the company and its development.
He said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Nicola and I’m excited to continue working with her over the coming years to ensure our business continues to set the standard in estate and lettings agency services across Chester and North Wales.”
Cavendish was founded in 1993 and now employs more than 30 staff across its estate agency and lettings operations. The firm handles over 600 home moves each year and manages around 650 properties.
