Jake Twelftree
Financial Controller
Jake Twelftree joined the company in February 2005.
Starting out working for block and estate management, Jake transferred to the company’s accounts department in October 2010. His aptitude and hard work were recognised and Jake was promoted to the role of financial controller in 2016.
1. What did you do before/what experience helped you get your job at KFH?
I joined KFH the year after I graduated from university. My first role was as a sales ledger clerk in the block and estate management department.
2. What do you do and what does this entail?
The majority of my time is spent preparing tailored financial information for senior management. In addition to this, I am involved in daily and monthly accounting procedures, as well as the annual budget and audit processes.
3. What do you enjoy about your role?
At school I preferred science to the arts, so wanted to have a career that was figures based. I enjoy examining the financial statements, digging into the figures and unravelling the stories behind the numbers.
4. What do you like about the company?
The people that I work with and the ethos of the company. I have worked for KFH for over ten years and there are people who have been here for much longer, which wouldn’t be the case if it wasn’t an enjoyable place to work.
5. What is your proudest professional achievement since joining KFH?
My proudest achievement is progressing through the KFH ranks to become the company’s financial controller.
6. What’s your one piece of advice for someone who wants to join KFH?
KFH is a successful and expanding company, with a big emphasis on developing talent and internal promotion. If you are determined and hardworking, there is every chance of embarking on a successful career at KFH.
Kira Sapiets
Lettings Manager
Kira Sapiets is the lettings manager at KFH’s Battersea branch. Kira joined the company in March 2009 as the branch assistant manager.
Due to her passion for property and her sales skills, Kira was given the opportunity to develop in a managerial capacity.
1. What did you do before/what experience helped you get your job at KFH?
I started working in the property industry in 2003, after returning from my gap year.
2. What do you do and what does this entail?
As lettings manager, it’s my role to manage the lettings team in Battersea. I value properties, advise landlords on all aspects of the lettings process, and manage a team of lettings negotiators, as well as securing my own deals.
3. What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy success and breaking company targets, as well as making people happy, whether it is exceeding landlords’ expectations or finding a new home for tenants.
4. What do you enjoy about the company?
Our reputation and brand is well known and respected. KFH strongly believes in promoting from within the company, meaning there is always a chance of progression.
5.What is your proudest professional achievement since joining KFH?
Being promoted to branch lettings manager has been a career highlight to date. I have been able to take the advice and knowledge I have gained to date and apply this in my role.
6. What’s your one piece of advice for someone who wanted to join KFH?
Take every opportunity that is given to you. The comprehensive training you will receive is second to none, and the commission package is well structured.
Sherard James
Head of Corporate Services
Sherard joined our Fulham and Chelsea branch in 2015 as a senior lettings negotiator. He is now the head of corporate services in our head office.
1. What did you do before/what experience helped you get your job at KFH?
My career began in the retail industry where I spent the first seven years working for big name brands in central London. This exposure to customer service enabled me to perfect my communication skills and develop a strength in leadership, as I worked my way up from sales assistant to floor manager.
2. What do you do and what does this entail?
I am the head of corporate services. As a department, we manage relocation requirements for our clients who are moving to London for business and require a property.
3. What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy establishing new working relationships that aid the growth of our reputation as a company and presence across London.
4. What do you like about the company?
I think that a lot of my colleagues would agree with me when I say that KFH is an excellent company to work for. The longevity of most employee’s careers at KFH is testament to this and enables us to build and maintain long lasting relationships with our clients. It also highlights the importance that KFH place on individuals who want to further develop their skills, which is made possible by the various progression avenues and training courses available. Having previously worked with other estate agencies, KFH continues to lead by example, by people, by knowledge and experience.
5. What is your proudest professional achievement since joining KFH?
Being appointed the head of corporate services. Knowing the importance of the department to KFH and the various opportunities that the role entails, it has been a key achievement in my career and added progression within a reputable company.
6. What’s your one piece of advice for someone who wants to join KFH?
If you are looking to develop your skills and knowledge within the property industry, KFH offers the necessary support through training programs and offers various progression avenues to establish yourself as a key individual within the company.
Wendy South
Client Accounts Director - Block and Portfolio Management
Having been with the company for over 30 years, Wendy is now a director in the block and estate management departments.
1. What did you do before/what experience helped you get your job at KFH?
I joined KFH straight from college in 1985.
2. What do you do and what does this entail?
I head the client accounts department in block and estate management. I run a department of 13 who look after service charge accounts and banks of current clients.
3. What do you enjoy about your role?
Problem solving. I love the challenge of such a diverse and varied role.
4. What do you like about the company?
As you would expect, the company has changed considerably in the 31 years since I joined. However, even though we’ve grown from a company of around 12 to over 800, the family feel has remained.
5. What is your proudest professional achievement since joining KFH?
Working through the ranks to progress from an office junior to director level is a huge achievement and one I am proud of.
6. What’s your one piece of advice for someone who wants to join KFH?
Work hard. If you are lucky enough to work for KFH and you look after the company, the company will look after you.
Leigh Munday
Sales Manager
Leigh Munday is the sales manager at KFH’s Balham branch. Leigh joined the company in December 2010 as assistant manager in Streatham.
Leigh’s expertise and competence were rewarded in February 2014 when he was given the opportunity to head the sales division of the newly launched Clapham Common branch. In 2016, Leigh made the move to SW12.
1. What did you do before/what experience helped you get your job at KFH?
I worked as an estate agent outside of London for 12 years before joining KFH in 2010. The extensive experience I gained in the many locations I worked in put me in good stead when moving to the city.
2. What do you do and what does this entail?
As the sales manager of the Balham branch, I oversee every aspect of the day to day running of the office.
3. What do you enjoy about your role?
I enjoy the fast paced nature of the business and satisfying the demands of our buyers and sellers.
4.What do you like about the company?
This is the fifth estate agency I have represented and is by far the best. In terms of the service standards set, the number of clients, the recognition of hard work and the career progression offered, KFH is second to none.
5. What is your proudest professional achievement since joining KFH?
Being chosen to open the flagship branch overlooking Clapham Common and breaking all company records for a brand new KFH branch.
6. What’s your one piece of advice for someone who wants to join KFH?
Be prepared to work hard as the standard is set very high, if you succeed the rewards are industry leading.