Being a commercial property agent in Christchurch is not easy, however Simon Rowland-Jones has excelled in a city still in recovery and uncertain of its future.
Simon was named New Zealand’s top NAI Harcourts Sales Consultant at the Annual Awards 2012/2013. NAI is Harcourts’ commercial property arm.
He says despite a very difficult two years, he and his team have been busy working with developers, investors and previous building owners, with the majority of their sales in bare commercial land in the central city.
Simon says the biggest challenge for commercial property owners is in working out where the future of Christchurch is going. He sees his role as helping people understand how they can best use the land they have purchased for redevelopment or replacement buildings.
“While the Christchurch council has set out a blue print for the new city centre, you still have to look outside the box in terms of where your building is going to fit within the scheme of things. That is where our expertise pays off.”
Simon says he is passionate about bringing people into Christchurch to invest, and he is currently working with investors from Japan and Singapore.
“It’s not just about buying or selling. We facilitate deals and think outside the square to make things happen,” Simon says.
Hayden Duncan CEO of Harcourts Group says Simon’s success at a challenging time is tribute to his talent and professionalism.
“Simon’s market knowledge and strong negotiating skills work under the most demanding of circumstances. Congratulations and thanks to Simon for the contribution he has made to both Christchurch and Harcourts.”
Simon was honoured at the 2013 Harcourts New Zealand Conference, which celebrated Harcourts’ 125th birthday. Established in 1888 in Wellington by J.B Harcourt, the company has become New Zealand’s largest real estate group and is now exporting services and systems into 10 countries around the globe. Still privately New Zealand owned after 125 years, Harcourts is an iconic Kiwi business success story. www.harcourts.co.nz