Member Article

A festive chat with… James Wyatt, partner of Surrey letting agency, Barton Wyatt

Today’s ‘festive favourite’ is Surrey letting ageny, Barton Wyatt. We spoke to company partner, James Wyatt about his favourite moments of 2015, his plans for Christmas and what he’s most looking forward to next year.

2015 – Looking back

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

“Being profitable! The year has been akin to staggering around in a drunken stupor – we’ve had no idea what’s going on in the property market.”

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

“I would have taken a longer holiday – preferably the whole year.”

How has your industry changed in the last year?

“The internet based cowboys are creating a stir. It’s a real dot.com bubble with staggering amounts of capital pouring in on what is, at best, a punt on a roulette table. Most will retire hurt. Early investors may (likely) cut and run with vast profits from the ignorance of the City. One or two will succeed but won’t get the returns they hope for.”

2016 – Moving forward

What are your key focuses for next year?

“Niche, niche, niche. We are good at that. Our competitors cannot hope to dig into our market. It’s good.”

What are you most looking forward to in 2016?

2017

What do you expect will be your biggest challenge in the coming year?

“Paying the kids school fees and my wife’s 50th birthday party.”

The softer stuff

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

“Be more aggressive. Outsource more.Get grey hair earlier – it helps.”

How will you be celebrating the festive period?

“Spreading the word that Father Christmas is out there. And plotting 2016 over a wine lake of Burgundy.”

Take a look at previous ‘festive favourites’ across the South East and London:

Rahul Parekh, CEO and co-founder of EatFirst

Tracy Ewen, managing director at IGF Invoice Finance

Michael Page, joint managing director of Saracen Interiors

Martin Campbell, managing director of fintech startup Ormsby Street

Salman Iftekhar and Michael Gadsby, co-founders of Staffing Match

Graham Marley, chief executive of Let’s Do Business Group

Sarah Anglim, founder and managing director of Gatwick’s I Love Meet and Greet Parking

Kristian Poliszczuk, director of online job portal Workango

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .