| 7 BUSINESS FOCUS Auckland: Barfoot & Thompson Property leader focused on growth Karen Phelps Peter Thompson: “The economic development of the top half of the North Island is increasingly centring around the ‘golden triangle’.” to page 8 Auckland’s unitary plan has resulted in opportunities in the property management sector with the rise in more intensified developments requiring body corporates, says Barfoot & Thompson managing director Peter Thompson. This has seen Barfoot & Thompson recently expand its body corporate division with the purchase of Scope Strata Management Limited - a hugely successful Auckland-based company. Peter says that the acquisition will propel Barfoot & Thompson Body Corporate to third position in New Zealand size-wise. He says that Scope Strata Management has a great reputation in the industry, and a culture and ethos that is very similar to that of Barfoot & Thompson with a focus on family values, people and community and a strong commitment to customer service. “We will be adding around 3000 new clients to the books, including a premium selection of high profile complexes like The Metropolis, The International and Pacifica, taking our portfolio to a total number of 16,000,” says Peter. It’s part of the growth trajectory that Barfoot & Thompson is on, both in Auckland and further north. This year it also made a strategic 50 per cent investment in Hamilton’s leading real estate company Lodge Real Estate Limited. Peter says it is the Barfoot & Thompson’s second strategic move to have a greater profile in the Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga triangle as these cities become more interdependent and more closely aligned economically. It has already establishment a property management company under Barfoot & Thompson branding in Tauranga. “The economic development of the top half of the North Island is increasingly centring around the ‘golden triangle’. “It will lead to greater business and people movement, population growth and business opportunities. Property Law Specialists www.glaister.co.nz Proudly supported by Glaister Ennor Groov is proud to be the workplace wellbeing partner for Barfoot & Thompson. Explore how we can help your people and leaders find their Groov www.groovnow.com “We are a family company; not a big corporate. Because we own the whole company we can make decisions from a central point rather than having to go out to franchise owners or other directors ...” “As a business we plan to participate in that business growth. Growing regionally will also make us less dependent on the Auckland market, which makes good business sense,” explains Peter. The other 50 per cent shareholding will continue to be held by Lodge’s Managing Director, Jeremy O’Rourke. Lodge will continue to operate under its existing name, branding and senior management team. Barfoot & Thompson’s representation will be at board level. Peter says that over time, each company will benefit from incorporating each other’s expertise, practices, technology, marketing and training into its own operations. Barfoot & Thompson will celebrate its centenary in 2023 and Peter says a big part of the company’s success and longevity is its family values, its people, and the role that Barfoot & Thompson plays in the wider community. Barfoot & Thompson is still operated by the same two families with the original founders’ grandchildren taking leading roles today. “We are a family company; not a big corporate. Because we own the whole company we can make decisions from a central point rather than having to go out to franchise owners or other directors etc,” says Peter. 1/26 Lorne Street, Auckland Central 1010 0800 793 154 networkcommunication.co.nz Public relations and corporate a airs specialists, providing strategic counsel and communication solutions to New Zealand’s leading companies since 1971.
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