Leading industry figure Eric Walker has been promoted to managing director of Belvoir as part of the creation of a new operational board at the franchise business.
Walker, previously managing director at Belvoir brand Northwood, has been replaced by national operations director Phil Gee, and both will sit on a new board of managing directors with Newton Fallowell’s Mark Newton and Michelle Brook of Brook Financial Services, alongside Belvoir chief executive Dorian Gonsalves.
Walker, who has been based in Hampshire, will now divide his time across different offices but will spend at least a couple of days a week at Belvoir’s central office in Grantham.
Gonsalves said: “The promotion of Gee and Walker is testimony to their vast industry experience, and commitment to our highly successful multi-brand business model, which will ensure continued business growth in the coming years.
“With Mark Newton as MD of Newton Fallowell, and Michelle Brook as MD of Brook Financial Services, Belvoir now has managing directors in situ within all three brands. Mike Goddard will continue in his role as chairman.
“As group MD, Walker, who has over 30 years of industry experience, will be focusing on key operational and IT growth across all four brands.
“He will be working to drive forward business growth, as well as bringing added value to all of our franchisees. Walker will also be responsible for driving forward estate agency growth, which at present is growing by 15% year on year, and is an area of the business that is rapidly developing.
“Belvoir has enjoyed uninterrupted profit growth for the past 21 years, and the formation of a new operational board consisting of all the MDs and the CEO, will be directly responsible for delivering more aggressive growth in the years to come.”
The operational board will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the group, but is separate from the PLC board which has remained unchanged.
The PLC board still consists of Goddard, Gonsalves and Newton, as well as chief financial officer Louise George and non-executive directors Michael Stoop and Paul George
Speaking of his promotion, Walker said: “I very much welcome this enormous challenge and am looking forward to driving the business forward. I think that it is a great opportunity for the plc to work in a common direction.
“Major franchise groups are currently doing very well compared to the traditional business models of corporate offices. Franchising has a proven track record, and is ideally suited to meet the challenges facing the industry in an uncertain economy.
“I have really enjoyed working with Northwood’s franchisees and very much look forward to working with the wider group. Within the individual networks there is a huge spectrum of experience and expertise that can be drawn together in a group role.”
The picture below came with the press release, but as heavyweight industry figure Walker posted on social media the photo is a few years old – and he is now four stones lighter.
BIG respect from me! Eric Walker is a connector and an influencer, who commands respect. There are very few people in the industry who have such an easy authority.
I have been fortunate to watch both Belvoir and Martin and Co grow from their earliest days, it has always be fascinating to second guess what each would do next. I didn’t spot this one coming but it is brilliant news for Belvoir, brilliant news for Eric and it’s good for the industry too because the bar just got raised on their competition.
To you Ian…
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Great Choice . Eric must have turned Bricks down !!!
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Well done Eric. Great to see good honest , knowledgeable people that make a difference succeed.
They are lucky to have you!
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Congratulations to Eric, he took the lead in continuing to develop Northwood after its acquisition by Belvoir, and this even bigger job is his fair reward. It’s not easy running franchisor businesses, the nature of the job is often misunderstood those who look in from the sidelines, or who have only ever worked in corporate management. “Herding cats” is the description most often used, so Eric the Cat Herder is on the top of his game.
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The ‘thumbs’ are apparently on holiday with John B so here’s a thumbs up from me.
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Now they’re back from holiday, there it is!
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It’s warming to see nothing but best wishes and respect toward Mr Walker. And well deserved – and earned – they are.
Adding my own hearty congratulations to one of the industry’s ‘Good Guys’ for getting where is is by merit alone – which doesn’t happen often.
I still owe him a keyboard – which I would love to think I will be able to deliver in person.
One day, perhaps…
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Congratulations and well done Eric. Good choice and you will be a great asset to the business.
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Congratulations, Mr Walker.
I hope that your new role doesn’t keep you away from contributing your experienced insight on here!
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