A property company is growing its team and extending its reach across the North.
Ample Property Group, based in Carlisle, recently welcomed a new co-director, doubled its turnover, and expanded its operations across Cumbria and beyond.
Gary Smith has joined company founder Kate Smith-Potts to jointly lead the business.
Ms Smith-Potts said: "Since Gary joined we have doubled our turnover and can take on three times as many projects than before.
“Prior to Gary joining I was working mainly in Carlisle but now we are doing about 60 per cent of our business in west Cumbria - in places like Whitehaven, Egremont and Cleator Moor - and we also had a project in Annan in south west Scotland.
“The aim is to expand even further afield to the Kendal and Barrow areas in south Cumbria, to Morecambe in north Lancashire and towards Newcastle and Sunderland in the North East.”
Founded in 2024, Ample Property Group helps clients from any part of the country generate income through property investment by providing a managed service.
This includes sourcing properties that meet target returns, furnishing them if required, and setting them up with a letting agency.
The company also offers a "buy, refurb, refinance" service, identifying properties in need of renovation, overseeing the refurbishment using local contractors, and supporting clients in refinancing to recover part of their investment and generate rental income.
Ms Smith-Potts said: "Our clients are people with busy lives who just want the investment set up but don’t want to do all the preliminary work and refurbishment.
"We do all the work for them, including sourcing and viewing the property, the financial analysis of the investment, the conveyancing process, coordinating and managing any refurbishments and preparing due diligence packs."
Before starting the business, Ms Smith-Potts worked in a variety of roles, including managing a restaurant and a residential home, and at the Carlisle and Eden Citizens Advice Bureau.
Her passion for property began after she successfully refurbished a home and increased its value by 50 per cent, a path influenced by her parents’ experience as landlords.
She said: "Ample Property Group developed naturally through word of mouth and referrals, but in February this year it had reached the point where I was able to leave my part-time job with the CAB and concentrate on the business full time.
"At the same time, I understood there was more growth potential and so Gary joined in March.
"We have the same work ethic and the desire to help people and deliver value and the best possible service.
"Gary is excellent at building relationships with vendors, local estate agents and other professionals, including solicitors and finance brokers."
Mr Smith, 36, has lived in Carlisle all his life and previously worked at Linton Tweeds and Pirelli, as well as in various driving roles.
He became interested in property after buying, refurbishing, and selling a home in Carlisle.
Mr Smith said: "When I met Kate we got on extremely well and decided to join forces."
The team has also welcomed Adam Byers as project manager.
Mr Byers, who is based in Carlisle, brings experience as a plasterer, understands all areas of refurbishment, and has strong connections with local tradespeople.
Ms Smith-Potts said: "In October we plan to take on another property sourcer to spot deals, organise viewings, cost refurbishments and document schemes for us to analyse.
"The company has just started its third year and by year five we hope to have five people in the sourcing team."
She also emphasised the wider social impact the company hopes to achieve.
Ms Smith-Potts said: "As a company, we really want to support the local community by helping people who need homes to find rented accommodation; creating good investments to help people plan for the future and protect their pensions; and improving the quality of the housing stock in the area.
"We want to be known as a reliable and trusted source of help and information.
"We will always advise people on any kind of property issue or direct them to someone who can help."
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