About the Founders
Neil Collins
"I have been working (and living) in and around Walthamstow for nearly 20 years. In that time I have seen many changes and met a lot of great people. It only seems like yesterday that Estates 17 (as it then was) opened the office on Orford Road, when in fact it was way back in 2013. The team has changed, expanded and evolved over the years but that collaborative and supportive atmosphere is stronger than ever. I get as much pleasure in providing a personal and detailed service to our clients now as I did back then, and I can hand on heart say it is still a pleasure working in the area and with the local community.
Over the last three decades, I have built up a wide skill base in all aspects of estate agency, from residential sales and lettings, through portfolio management and valuation, to commercial sales and lettings. Many of the independent businesses on Orford Road and Francis Road (where our two offices are located) have secured their premises through us, and watching their growth and success alongside our own has been a personal source of pride.
One of the best parts of my job is passing on what I've learned over the years to the team at Estates East. Mentoring junior staff is such an important part of any successful business. Both of my co-directors have grown with the company, progressing through the ranks to their current roles, and I take as much pleasure in their achievements as any of my own.”
Richard Strong
Richard is in charge of all the “unseen” stuff that makes the rest of what we do work. If everything looks calm and collected on the surface, that's because he is working hard to make it so. From accounts to regulatory, from copywriting to HR, Richard's role encompasses and covers all of the back office processes that every business needs to have in place.
Away from work (which given the chance he will tell you isn't often enough!) he likes nothing better than pottering around in the garden at home, although we understand that's usually on the promise of a glass of something cold once he's finished!