New board appointment after 16 years at property practice

28/03/2012

Employed as a part-time receptionist at the birth of the business 16 years ago, Elaine Dennison has now completed the transition to the boardroom as Administration Director of Garness Jones commercial property surveyors.

In effect Elaine has been working at board level of the Hull-based practice for some time, guiding the day-to-day running of the business and ensuring the operation behind the scenes has supported the main company function.

“Elaine’s new title formalises the role she has developed and the work she has been doing for some time,” said Dave Garness, Managing Director of Garness Jones.

“It recognises the way in which her duties have extended beyond routine administrative services. Elaine makes a significant contribution to the planning and direction of the business.”

Elaine was born in Hull and joined Garness Jones on returning to the city in 1996, having managed the office of a small accountancy practice in Hampshire.

She was one of three part-time staff in a team of six, which included two surveyors, and now the business comprises eight surveyors in a team of 20. It offers specialist services in all aspects of commercial property and is recognised as one of the leading practices in the Humber area.

“I started off on reception, answering the phones and typing up valuations,” said Elaine.

“But as the practice has expanded and the demands on the administrative side have grown I’ve taken on responsibility for accounts, credit control, HR, training and other aspects of the business.

“It’s been a steep learning curve but in looking at the way the business has developed I realised I’ve actually undertaken every job within the company other than surveying.”

Dave Garness added: “The business is significantly bigger in every sense than when we all started and it is also much more efficient. We moved offices in 2004, we honed the skills of the surveyors to create four divisions – retail and leisure, office, industrial and investment and development – and we developed a property management service for commercial and residential.

“Elaine knows the business inside out. She ensures there is a clear structure to the entire operation, which benefits all of the people we deal with.”