PROMOTING FROM WITHIN
Category Residential Property News
WARREN HORNER - MANAGER OF PIETERMARITZBURG
Warren Horner joined Wakefields in Pietermaritzburg in January 2020. He had returned to Pietermaritzburg from the corporate world of Johannesburg, happy to be back in the city in which he grew up. Warren brought to the Wakefields table a strong financial background with internal auditing and credit management...and a real interest in property: "I'd always been keen on property, and now back in Pietermaritzburg, I really wanted to be involved in that industry. When I saw Wakefields was recruiting intern property consultants, I thought, why not?" Why not indeed, as Warren dove in the deep end, studied and passed his NQF4 professional qualification, and set out determinedly to make a success of his new career. He says, "I entered that door with a positive mindset. I knew that it was my choice entirely as to whether I succeeded or not, and I was determined to work incredibly hard."
Warren's family and friends were his initial client base, and he built on that: "At one stage, I was making 100 cold calls a day. I put my name out there, knowing that if I worked consistently at it, it would pay off." It did, and once Warren had made his first sale, there was a steady trickle of sales thereafter.
In December 2022, the opportunity arose for a managerial position, and Warren - after years in management at Bridgestone Firestone - was extremely excited to step into the role: "It's been such an advantage that I've worked on the other side of the desk, because I've walked recently in their shoes. The team has welcomed me with open arms, been immensely supportive, which has enabled me to transition into management. We have a wonderfully diverse team with a wide range of ages, talents, and experience, so together we have a depth of skills to offer clients." He adds, "Having been in finance, I have a strategic view of how to strengthen and grow a business. I'm particularly enjoying the challenge of selecting intern staff to join and grow with our existing team. Sales experience is advantageous, but property is a unique industry - it's very personal and needs a consultant who understands how emotive it can be."
From finance to property and back, Warren's able to use all those skillsets now in his role as manager of the growing Pietermaritzburg branch.
T. 033 394 0224 | E. pietermaritzburg@wakefields.co.za
KAYLEIGH ALBERS - SCOTTBURGH BRANCH MANAGER
Young, enthusiastic, and driven to connect people to properties from Scottburgh to Mtwalume, 33-year-old Kayleigh Albers has taken over the reigns of manager at Wakefields' Scottburgh branch...and loving it. She's no stranger to the area, having been born and raised just a few kilometres away, at Pennington. She's also no stranger to property and the Wakefields ethos.
Kayleigh joined Wakefields as a sales consultant in 2019 and took no time securing her professional property qualifications. Top salesperson of the year for all but one of the intervening years, she's a natural...or, as she says, property is in my family, with everybody from my mom to my cousins involved in the industry.
Kayleigh considers herself truly fortunate in having had her manager as her mentor: "Marlene Elsip was excellent and taught me so much. She established the groundwork for me to follow, and I did just that."
Kayleigh pressed pause on her sales, to familiarise herself with a managerial role. She'd spent eight years as a schoolteacher, so she's wonderfully comfortable with many of the attributes required to lead and inspire. She'd lost her passion for teaching, but she considers herself lucky, to have discovered it elsewhere: "My husband and I left the city stresses behind and moved back to my roots at the coast - it was truly coming home. We love the area, and I'm very comfortable back where I grew up, with people I know." She adds, "We have a superb team at Wakefields who work well together, and I'm so enjoying nurturing and training property interns."
For Kayleigh, it's exciting as a younger person to bring, among others, her technological skills into the office: "Traditionally, Scottburgh and surrounding towns were home to an older generation, but since Covid, it's changing. Younger people are moving in, particularly from Johannesburg - younger people use technology extensively, and we're happy with that in our office."
For Kayleigh, one of her goals is to ensure that the combination of experience and youthful energy in her office, together with the longevity of the Wakefields brand, means property seekers and sellers choose to call Wakefields Scottburgh first: "Trust is hard won, and as a brand, we've certainly earned that. Whether it's an honest, professional valuation of your property value, or assisting you as you navigate the purchase of your first home, come in and chat with us."
T. 039 978 9860 | E. scottburgh@wakefields.co.za
PATTY SAMPATHMANY - LOWER SOUTH COAST MANAGER
Patty Sampathmany is Wakefields' Lower South Coast manager, a region which encompasses Shelley Beach, Ramsgate, and Port Edward offices. She's been with the branch for seven years and began as an intern: "I qualified as a medical technologist, had overseen all the administration for my husband's transport company...and then decided I'd have a complete change. I'd always been interested in property, particularly renovations - I love Fix Me Uppers, and tackled several myself - so I called Wakefields." Patty reminisces about those early days when she said she knew so little about sales, nor whether she'd be successful...until she made her first sale, and thought, 'Maybe this is my niche.' Now it is, one she carved for herself, with help of her manager and colleagues. For her, having been through those early days when you doubt yourself and your abilities, she has a great empathy with new interns into the business: "I know how they feel, and what they need to build their confidence, knowledge, and become successful. I enjoy mentoring them."
Stepping into the manager's shoes felt right for Patty. It was the right time. She feels her personal journey in property has equipped her well, and it's time to assist others wherever she can, on theirs. With three branches to manage, she's certainly busy, but enjoying the challenge of managing the three teams: "I've lived on the South Coast for 32 years, 15 of them in the Shelley Beach area, so I know this stretch of the coastline well. We've a formidable team on the Lower South Coast, and living, working and playing here, we can give excellent advice on valuations, areas, and offer a range of lifestyle options to prospective buyers. Sellers know our brand has specialised in property in Kwazulu-Natal for over 80 years, and that the #WakefieldsWay is about walking the talk."
T. 039 315 0555 | E. lowersouthcoast@wakefields.co.za
Author: Haydn Wakefields | Marketing Director
