The Top Influencers in Estate Agency You Need to Follow!

Some powerful voices are dishing out absolute pearls of wisdom in the property industry. We've rounded up some of the best that should be on your radar (if they're not already!) This savvy lot imparts valuable insights, shares best practices and drops tips and trends that will help your agency no end. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to soak up their brilliance asap!

Christopher Watkin

It’s perhaps no surprise that we’re kicking things off with our own, self-professed, fanboy.  All hail property stat king, Christopher Watkin! A powerhouse in the estate agency realm. His superpower is helping agencies grow by attracting landlords and vendors with his creative marketing techniques. Chris shows you how to wield property stats, giving you the cheat code to become the go-to guru of your patch!

When he’s not posting his Weekly Update on the UK Property Market on his YouTube channel, he’s sparking debate on his LinkedIn page. Chris’s no-nonsense approach calls out agents' flaws to help them rethink their strategies and rebuild their reputations. He’s also a regular contributor to Property Industry Eye – check out his latest article on fees here.

In his ‘Chris Watkins versus’ series of videos, he debates all the top issues of the industry with other agents and guest speakers. He’s the guy who knows how to make property stats both interesting and enlightening, with a side of humour. We encourage you to follow him on LinkedIn – his posts will make you want to overhaul your approach - stat!

Lucian Cook

Lucian Cook is the man everyone wants to quote - and does! He's labelled as one of the most quoted commentators on the UK property market. Having joined Savills as a graduate and with over 31 years under his belt, he's seen it all - from housing booms to make your head spin to market dips to make a grown man cry - and a global pandemic to boot!

Head of residential research, Lucian leads a team of 35 researchers. His crew dishes out forecasts on the housing market, striving to be the pinnacle of thought leadership. And they are! Highly respected in the industry, his team are nothing short of forward thinkers and innovators.

Lucian is possibly the most driven person in the industry. He frequently appears on TV and radio to bestow to the masses the wealth of knowledge he’s amassed over the years. We’d love to open up his brain and tap into his rich pool of property intelligence!

Simon Gates

If your team morale is tanking or you need some fresh thinking, Simon is your guy. He is THE ideas man for an estate agency.

He certainly walked the walk - managing an agency that ranked in the top 1% in the first Best Estate Agent Guide in 2018. Now he talks the talk, taking his on-the-ground expertise and helping other agencies. What Simon doesn’t know about the property market isn’t worth knowing!

With more tricks up his sleeve than Dynamo, Simon provides agencies with advice, tips and strategies to succeed. And his way of teaching is nothing like a traditional estate agency. He thinks outside the box. It’s not gimmicky, it’s stuff that will help your agency stand out - solid, sound advice and tools you can use to give your business direction.

Simon’s a bit of a data geek, but he takes the fear out of numbers - making data engaging, insightful, and more importantly explaining how it can help your agency grow. Ring him up for a touch of consultancy, bring him in to lead a training session for your team or pop on his podcast when you’re out leafleting. He’s out there making a difference and bringing value to the industry.

Enthusiastic, passionate, energised - and he’s a really nice guy to boot!

Peter Knight

Peter is on a quest to ignite the spark in every agent and help them to unleash their full potential. That’s his mantra! He’s the founder of Property Academy, Best Estate Agent Guide and EA Masters.

At Property Academy, they serve up what they like to call the Four I's; information, insight, ideas, and a hefty dose of inspiration. It’s a one-stop-shop of information to help agents to flourish. It rolls out top-notch training for suppliers and estate agents, so they can really wow their clients. They also conduct national consumer surveys to find out the latest views of vendors, landlords and tenants. The annual Home Moving Trends Survey gives you all the intel on things like why buyers choose an estate agent, what matters most to tenants and landlords’ plans for the future.

There's nothing like a bit of healthy competition. That's why Peter and his team set up the Estate Agency of the Year Awards in 2001. Fast forward to 2017, Peter launched the EA Masters and Best Estate Agent Awards, where you can win trophies that'll take pride of place in your cabinet!

Peter’s book HEMP – Highly Effective Marketing Plan – has helped hundreds of agency owners take their businesses to the next level. There’s no doubt that Peter will inspire you to fulfil your potential!

Sally Lawson

Sally has an energy that is contagious. Driven by her love for helping others to succeed, she launched Agent Rainmaker in 2016. The company helps letting agents grow their business by generating more leads and increasing their profits. If you attend one of her eye-opening training courses or boot camps, expect plenty of lightbulb moments! The company has helped hundreds of agents to turn their businesses around.

Prior to becoming a leading industry trainer, Sally was a successful lettings agency owner, even franchising her model. She's amassed three decades of working in the property sector, so she knows every trick in the book. Sally drums home the message of "squeeze the juice" to make sure every minute of letting agents’ businesses is being charged and they’re being rewarded for their hard work.

Sally’s passion for property is deep-rooted. Her wealth of knowledge is unmatched, and she’s well-respected in the industry. Did we mention she’s a best-selling author, and world-class speaker, and served as ARLA President in 2017-2018? We have no idea how she fits it all in!

In 2018, Sally launched Agent Rainmaker LIVE, a buzzing conference where letting agents come together to learn, network and grow. If you’re a letting agent with a problem, Sally’s got the solution, with tips, tricks and tools to boost your business. Her courses are nothing short of inspiring, offering invaluable guidance to help agents increase revenue and build efficient lead-generation systems.

Sally isn’t just an exceptional leader - she’s your go-to for transforming your agency into a thriving, profit-driven business!

Simon Leadbetter

Need help with your marketing? Marketing maverick Simon Leadbetter is your man. Previously the head of marketing at Knight Frank and Countrywide, and CEO of Fine & Country, he’s a seasoned veteran in the property sector.

His flagship training event ‘30 Years of Marketing in a Day’ is a shortcut to becoming a marketer. The day is jam-packed. Bring a fresh notepad - you'll definitely be busy jotting down actionable takeaways to implement in your business when you're back at the office. If you need more – Simon is a fractional CMO who dives into your business, analyses every detail, and shakes things up with a game-changing marketing strategy.

Simon’s also the mastermind behind the Voice of the Agent survey, pulling in feedback from hundreds of letting and sales agents. The report is full of insights, experiences, and challenges in the property market. It gives a unique look at what’s really happening in the industry and is a go-to resource for agents, brokers, and specialists looking to stay ahead of the game.

Property pro, Simon’s storytelling method of teaching and marketing strategies makes him a valuable resource to tap into.

Russell Quirk

Russell is a go-to commentator for the media - and little wonder. With over 25 years of experience in the property market under his belt, he knows the ins and outs of the housing market like the back of his hand, and he really gets into the nitty-gritty of it all. He’s regularly seen on TalkTV, GB News, BBC Radio, as well as ITV, Sky and more.

Russell is straight to the point – no messing. That’s exactly why he’s become the face of property commentary. His passion, strong opinions, and fearless outspokenness have put him in the spotlight, and he can do the same for your business. Who better to help you grab media attention than the guy who’s made a career out of it? His company, PropertyPR, is all about that.

Never one to shy away from a healthy debate (he thrives on them!), Russell is a former Emoov boss and was practically born into the property world, thanks to his property market-obsessed family! He keeps the industry on its toes whether it’s through his writing or his many TV appearances. Russell always claims he’s saying or writing what you’re all thinking – and he’s not afraid to put it out there, warts and all!

Simon Whale

Big personality, big passion. A vision in pink - if you spot someone adorned in a fuchsia t-shirt, hoodie or cap at an industry event, it’ll likely be Simon. He is the guy who's totally buzzing about all things PropTech.

He founded his company Kerfuffle to help agents to, “make sense of the noise.” What does that mean? Well, when PropTech companies started springing up left, right and centre, agents became overwhelmed by marketing overload and started tuning out – missing out on some real gems. Simon and his team sift through the noise, spotlighting only the best suppliers that can make a real difference for agencies.

Having previously been the face of a PropTech company, he knows how to separate the wheat from the chaff. Simon refers to the company as the ‘Google of suppliers.’ But there’s more! Kerfuffle also acts as the Tripadvisor for the property world – packed with reviews from top agents so you know you’re not wasting time with those pestering substance-lacking providers.

Kerfuffle isn’t just a supplier search and review tool though. Simon’s mission is to help agencies, big or small, score the best deals on software and tech – because everyone deserves a fair shake, not just the industry giants. And with Simon’s industry expertise, Kerfuffle’s consultancy service is like having the ultimate PropTech squad in your corner.

Kate Faulkner

If you want to find someone passionate about property, you can't go far wrong with property analyst Kate Faulkner. Not only is she an expert on the subject but she was awarded an OBE for her outstanding contributions to the property industry no less!

One of the most sought-after property experts in the country, Kate Faulkner started her career flipping properties. While juggling a high-powered job, she carried out property renovations on the side. This is what fuelled her love for the property market and what started her moving around the property arena.

Kate set up Propertychecklists, an all-singing, all-dancing comprehensive resource website that offers a plethora of checklists for those buying, selling, renting, renovating or managing a property. The site also offers training for estate agents and suppliers, helping improve industry standards and making property tasks less daunting.

Kate believes that most of the industry's woes could be solved if the media, government and professionals just worked together and educated consumers. When she's not solving the nation's property conundrums, you can catch her on TV, radio or giving keynote speeches at industry events. She works with journalists, lenders, brokers, agents, surveyors, and even the removal industry to help them connect better with consumers. Whether it’s crafting a killer content strategy or handling it all for you, she's your go-to for communication consultancy.

She doesn't do things by half measures - Kate's written eleven books on the property market and chairs the Home Buying and Selling Group so it's safe to say she's got a packed diary!

Nat Daniels

Property legend Nat Daniels has amassed over 30 years of experience. The mastermind behind Angels Media (a leading digital marketing and PropTech hub), he's been helping the property world since 2001. His passion saw him launch a suite of publications. The unmissable Estate Agency Today, Letting Agent Today, Landlord Today, Introducer Today and Property Investor Today, deliver daily news and updates to industry insiders.

These sites are, more often than not, the first port of call for property professionals when they log into their laptops every morning. Not content with dominating the online news space for the property market, he is also the brains behind the award-winning lead magnet ValPal network. This online valuation tool turns your website traffic into hot leads for vendors and landlords. Agents spend big to attract visitors, but often fail to engage them - this tool grabs their details so you can turn browsers into clients!

Angels Media offers a full suite of marketing services, from writing your blogs, newsletters, and website copy to managing your social media and handling your PR. They've got all your content and communication needs covered!

Verona Frankish

From Derry girl to CEO, Verona Frankish is a powerhouse leader at Yopa. She has a rich background including leadership positions at Marks & Spencers and Mortgage Advice Bureau. She made her move into estate agency with Purple Bricks in 2018. Recognised for her talent in using technology to streamline the customer experience, Verona was tapped up to lead Yopa in 2022.

As one of the few female CEOs and part of the Women in Estate Agency committee, she is a driving force for change. Verona champions equality for women in the sector. Passionate, high-energy and all-in on her goals, she puts heart into everything she does, whether that’s mentoring through Agents Together, guiding teams to success or empowering others to reach their potential.

Her motto is hard work and commitment pave the way to success – and she’s living proof of that!

Stephen Brown

Industry trainer and business mentor, Stephen Brown is known for his magic advice that has earned him the trust of the entire industry. Check out his Google reviews, over 650 glowing testimonials speak for themselves!

His company, Stephen J Brown Consultancy will give your business a full MOT, helping create an action plan to rev up growth. He has 20 years under his belt at Greene & Co., where he did it all - negotiating, selling, valuing, prospecting, recruiting and then some! That’s why he’s a pro because he’s been in your shoes. He knows how to make you a better version of yourself, smash your goals and boost your revenue.

He’s resilient, hardworking and knows his stuff. His insightful training and masterclasses are packed with ideas, tactics and killer negotiation skills. You’ll leave feeling fired up and ready to go. He’ll give you the edge over your competition and turn you into the most skilled, knowledgeable specialist in your area.

Stephen hosts The Estate Agency Podcast alongside Luke St Clair and Andrew Overman, where they share the dynamic trio share their collective wisdom. He also hosts a Lunchtime Learning podcast, featuring a line-up of fantastic guest speakers sharing their stories.

His ground-breaking venture, Estate Agents Learning, is a game-changing training platform for estate and letting agents. Packed with expert tips and proven strategies from top trainers in the UK. He’s also a regional ambassador of Agents Together, a charitable foundation focusing on supporting agents both personally and professionally and created the Computers for Schools initiative. So all in all, a nice guy who gives back and helps others thrive!

Tom Bill

The crystal ball of the property market, Tom Bill always seems to know what’s coming next, and more often than not, he’s spot on! He is the Head of UK Residential Research at Knight Frank so it’s no surprise he’s bang on the money with the happenings of property sales. High-end real estate is his bag, and he creates reports including Knight Frank’s flagship Prime London indices, the Super Prime London Insight and the London Residential Review.

Tom’s LinkedIn page is a goldmine of stats. Get following him and he’ll keep you clued up on market metrics and trends. Before he joined property giant Knight Frank, Tom was a property journalist for seven years and wrote for Bloomberg and Reuters. He’s also a regular media contributor and he’s presented events across the UK and Europe because when Tom takes to the podium, people listen with all ears!

Rob Dix

Meet Rob, the trusted expert who helps property investors maximise their returns and make their portfolios shine. Co-founder of Property Hub alongside Rob Bence, together, they craft standout property deals for their clients. In fact, they snap up over £100 million in property each year for their high-net-worth clients. It’s impressive stuff!

The beauty of the two Robs is that they don’t keep their finely tuned property investment knowledge and techniques to themselves. They impart everything they’ve learnt, helping others become sharp, informed property investors too – sharing is caring after all! In their Property Podcast, they spill the latest news, knowledge and insider info they’ve picked up from closing hundreds of property deals a year. They’re keen to tell you mistakes they’ve made along the way, so you don’t have to make them too! Incidentally, the podcast has been the UK’s most popular business podcast for over a decade.

You’ll also see Rob’s name on the shelves of your local Waterstones. One of his books, The Price of Money: How to Prosper in a Financial World That’s Rigged Against You is a can’t-put-it-down, Sunday Times bestseller no less!

Phil Spencer

You could say Phil is the face of property because he’s probably the most recognisable one on the list thanks to his work presenting Location, Location, Location alongside Kirstie Allsopp. He has a large consumer following, so pay attention to his advice because your potential clients certainly will be.

Beyond TV, Phil is a respected voice in the property industry. He always brings wisdom, wit and a dash of charm to the home-buying journey. He is the founder of Move iQ - the ultimate guide to navigating the property world. Phil has also partnered with Propertymark, an organisation that promotes professional standards in the property sector. Phil advocates for regulating the industry and encourages home movers to look for accredited agents. He’s on a mission to make the property market more transparent and reliable – and his passion is infectious.

Sarah Edmundson

We can’t write an influencer article without mentioning the late Sarah Edmunson, a true inspiration and trailblazer in the property world. Her career spanned roles at Fine & Country, the Guild of Property Professionals, and the ambitious Boomin team. Sarah pushed boundaries and brought fresh ideas to the industry. She was also on the committee for Women in Estate Agency, advocating for equality.

Sarah wanted a better property market for both agents and consumers. As the owner of training organisation Estate Agency Allstars and CEO of estate agency charity Agents Together, Sarah’s influence was immeasurable. She didn’t just lead; she cared deeply and empowered people through mentorship. She coached and supported agents and suppliers, leaving a lasting impression on countless people. You can’t go far wrong by following her example – she was a true role model. 

Conclusion

If you're not already following these influential figures, we recommend you do! Collectively these property masters have amassed decades of knowledge - you need to tap into their expertise! Go explore their content, learn something new and find out how they can help you to become a more successful and effective sales or letting agent. You'll get some daily inspiration to encourage you to excel! Hit that follow button and soak in their wisdom.