It’s the season of goodwill, and for some estate agents the festive period is just another typical day.
Away from the commercial aspects of Christmas, there are plenty of property professionals spreading Christian cheer throughout the year.
Across the industry there are many agents bringing a Christian ethos to their work.
One example is southern England property agent Andrews, which has a network of over 80 branches and is wholly owned by Christian charitable trusts.
The firm pays an annual dividend from its profits to Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT) and Christian Initiative Trust, which was set up by philanthropist and one of the Oxfam founders Cecil Jackson-Cole after previously founding Andrews in 1946.
The Trust funds several charitable causes such as Restored, which aims to help churches respond to violence against women.
Andrews also offers practical support such as senior staff sitting on both charities’ board including group chief executive Michael Robson, also chairman of Christian Initiative Trust.
The property agents are also in the process of launching a brand new social impact project alongside the Trust in 2016 where the company’s staff will be working with social organisations to create a project to support young care leavers.
Robson said: “We are thrilled to have an exciting project in the pipeline, which directly sees our staff from across the group working alongside our Christian charitable owners supporting young people within the local branch network of Andrews. We look forward to revealing the initiative in the New Year.”
One organisation bringing like-minded people together is Christians in Property.
The group has been around since 1953 and while mainly focused on big City commercial businesses in London, does welcome estate agents into its 300-member strong group.
It organises several events such as its annual carol service, regularly attracting around 450 people.
Members can access personal and prayer support, training and mentoring.
Committee member Colin Molyneux, who works in the property industry, describes the group as an outreach organisation rather than a networking group.
It aims to unite professionals and create a “Christian work ethic”.
Asked what this meant, Mr Molyneux said: “It is all about following principles of fairness, openness and honesty.”
There can be no doubt that businesses with a “higher purpose” tend to do better because they have a clear direction and vision which has many positive and helpful advantages.
On the down side, just as a plc can be criticised for existing to feed hungry shareholders, the balance can also get skewed in higher purpose organisations and very different agendas can also create tension. Sounds like Andrews have a healthy balance and are making it work – good on them.
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