Meet the latest entry to the Dartford and Gravesham Business Awards...

Over the past 11 years, Amax Estates and Property Services, founded by Maxine Fothergill, has become an important part of Gravesend’s commercial sector.

Redundancy in 2002 proved to be the opportunity Mrs Fothergill needed to start up on her own.

Despite being offered a new job immediately, she looked at her growing company portfolio and knew it was time to strike out into the property market.

Today, the company, based in Parrock Street, is split into two departments: one deals with lettings and property management; the other manages whole blocks of flats.

Mrs Fothergill is proud of her success, which she says has a lot to do with new technology.

She said: “We believe we will be the only local company introducing a sophisticated cloud-based sales, lettings and property management software system,
and aim to use it to its full
potential to increase our market share.

“Using this technology will enable all members of staff to use the system from anywhere in the world. It has built-in iPad integration, allowing updates to be made to the system remotely for new and existing properties. Landlords and vendors will be able to help choose the photographs used in marketing their property while at a valuation, and they can be uploaded to property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla instantaneously.”

The premises recently had a full makeover, and now has new shop frontage.

But Mrs Fothergill says Amax’s unique selling point is the fact that it is so local: it employs local staff with local knowledge, and always uses local contractors. This not only makes a huge difference to the company, but also helps the local economy and
job market.

The company is affiliated to a number of professional bodies, meaning it is governed by strict codes of conduct that offer clients protection.

Mrs Fothergill said she was also helping to raise the profile of these organisations, particularly the Association of Residential Letting Agents and the Association of Residential Managing Agents, so clients could make informed decisions about the quality of services offered.