Big managerial changes at Belvoir as Northwood duo step up

Belvoir, the UK’s largest high street franchised agency network, has made major changes to its top table with promotions for two senior Northwood staff. 

Phil Gee, former national operations director of Northwood, has been promoted to Northwood MD, and Eric Walker, former managing director of Northwood, has been promoted to group managing director across Belvoir’s four core brands.

“With Mark Newton as managing director of Newton Fallowell and Michelle Brook as managing director of Brook Financial Services, Belvoir now has MDs in situ within all three brands, with Eric as MD of Belvoir and the wider group. Mike Goddard will continue in his role as chairman” says Dorian Gonsalves, chief executive of Belvoir.

“As Group MD Eric, 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. Eric will also be responsible for driving forward estate agency growth, which at present is growing by 15 per cent year on year, and is an area of the business that is rapidly developing” adds Gonsalves.

Walker himself says the 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’ve 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.”

Gonsalves, who says much of his empire’s success is down to “extraordinary and entrepreneurial franchisees”, adds: “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 CEO, will be directly responsible for delivering more aggressive growth in the years to come.”