Andrews Property Group, which is owned by three charitable trusts, has announced a record dividend to its shareholders.
The pay-out of £633,000 outstrips last year’s by £40,000.
The pay-out is a reflection of the booming market, with its founder believing that the more successful Andrews could be, then the more it could help the vulnerable in society.
Founded 70 years ago by philanthropist and humanitarian Cecil Jackson-Cole, Andrews is wholly owned by three charities.
They are Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT), the Christian Book Promotion Trust (CBPT) and the Christian Initiative Trust (CIT).
Representatives of all three were present at the Andrews annual staff conference where the record pay-out was announced.
They receive, respectively, £459,241, £99,291 and £74,468
Michael Robson, chief executive of Andrews, paid tribute to his staff at the conference.
He said: “The dividend pay-out which we made to our three shareholders in 2015 was the largest for a decade, so to have surpassed that by an incredible £40,000 is ultimately testament to the unrelenting hard work of each and every member of the Andrews team.
“Having almost 150 members of the Andrews family, from across our entire branch network as well as from our head office, present to see the funds being handed over is hugely important as it reinforces the inclusive way in which the money has been made.
“Cecil Jackson Cole instilled a belief in this business, that it should operate so as to benefit those suffering hardship, that remains to this day.
“The fact, therefore, that we’ve increased our pay-out so significantly in the same year we celebrate our 70th anniversary feels truly fitting.”
Paul Heal, chair of the Andrews Charitable Trust, said: “The ownership of Andrews Property Group is not only unique, but also incredibly special for everyone involved.
“Speaking on behalf of all three shareholders, I can’t stress enough what a huge difference the funding received from Andrews makes.
“Real projects in the communities where Andrews operates, as well as some further afield, are handed a lifeline which literally changes peoples’ lives.”
Projects supported by Andrew include working with ex-offenders, youth leadership programmes and a boxing academy for young people involved in gangs.
We salute Andrews – but wonder what the national media, with its fixation on how unpopular estate agents are, might make of this story.
Comments (2)
Really good to see the fruits of their labours going on to help so many other people.
Refreshing in the age of corporate entities usually known for cynically dodging their taxes. Here’s a company purely focussed on doing good for people less fortunate.
Got to take your hat off to them
Great to see and an example to all. Andrew’s are not alone in their desire to put money back into communities and projects, although their model is an admirable one. Hats off to them for bringing their staff together to celebrate these achievements as well.
Totally agree with the comments at the end regarding the National Media though – how little do they know (or how much do they know and simply don’t want to print).
How many Estate Agency business’ do plough money back into their communities each year though? Far more than the National Press give credit for! Nick/Roz how can the National Press be alerted to these stories though, and (forced to….) print them?