Member Article

North East festive focus with: Natalie Frank, HMG

Natalie Frank, MD Home Management Group Ltd., joins us for a quickfire festive interview.

Your business

If you had to choose one thing - what are you most proud of your company achieving this year, why?

This year, we took over a development, the previous manager of which, despite charging over the odds, had not been delivering for the client. I’m proud, that at Home Management Group, we have been able to take on that development, deliver a better service, at a more competitive rate.

What was the single biggest challenge faced by your firm in 2016?

The most challenging, and probably most rewarding thing, I have done this year was to give birth to my daughter Isobella, and return to the business straightaway! Of course raising my daughter while managing the business, is a challenge, but it’s also a pleasure.

Can you tell us one thing your business is doing in 2017 that really excites you?

We have lots of expansion and development plans in 2017, which are hugely exciting. We are in discussions about further developing our student accommodation offer and have plans for a new Right to Manage programme.

Your region

Which North East firm has impressed you the most this year, why?

The North East has such an amazing and vibrant business community. I’d be hard pushed to name just one. But the organisations I think really need a shout out, are those small, independent local businesses who deliver exceptional services, often with much smaller margins than larger companies, but with much more personality.

Is there an industry or sector of the North East business community which you expect to really take off next year?

The significance of social media continues to grow, across all sectors and businesses, even in areas we would never have imagined would have significant social media followings. So, I would expect to see continued growth in this sector, and in social media management.

Yourself

What was your first job?

I had a Saturday job in a clothes shop when I was a teenager.

If you weren’t doing what you do, is there a job you’d love to have?

To be honest, I’ve always wanted to do what I do. Ever since I was a little girl and my dad used to take me to work at his estate agent, I’ve wanted to work in the housing sector. I used to sit in one of the empty offices and play at estate agents. So, I guess it was destiny.

What do you do on Christmas day?

This will be Isobella’s very first Christmas, so it won’t be “Christmas as usual” in our house – we expect lots more wrapping paper and toy packaging than we’ve ordinarily been used to.

Although, we’ll still be going to my parents’ house for dinner where we’ll be spending the day with family who come home from Liverpool, Sheffield and beyond.

Thanks Natalie.

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