It's been a real pleasure to get involved as much as possible with our community, which will always be at the centre of everything we do. In a way, ‘Community First & People before Profit’ has inadvertently become our statement. Ultimately when Jim & I make any decisions, we ask ourselves ‘is this choice going to benefit the community, and are we putting our customers' best interests at the core of our thought process?’ I’m pleased to say the answer is always YES!

I like to look back and see what we have been involved in. Scouring through our social media streams it's actually quite surprising how we managed to find the time to run a business and stay on top of our ‘extra curricular’ activities. 

Starting in January I raised money for Prostate Cancer UK by covering 300 miles and exercised every day for 31 days. At the office, we had a particular Saturday with five ‘open houses’ which generated 87 accompanied  viewings! 

In February our commercial department headed up by Vikki celebrated its first birthday. In March we made our biggest ever donation to Chestnut Tree House & St Barnabas. We completed on properties with a total value of over £10m which included a commercial transaction for a million pounds! 

 In April Jim & I ran the Worthing half marathon, raising funds and awareness for a great local charity ‘ Safe in Sussex’ (well Jim did the half, and I ducked out at 10km with an injured calf). In May I participated in a 10km beach run for Ukraine, Jim smashed a 20 mile obstacle course, and we sponsored a local football tournament for kids. Also, this was the month Jo Wood joined our team to mop up after Jim & I. A superb signing for the company.

Throughout the summer the much loved James & James Fancy Dress Fun Run took place with special guest appearances from Spider-Man & Peppa Pig! A decent amount of money was raised for Chestnut Tree House and fun was had by all of the children from our community who took part. 

We then celebrated our second birthday with a meal at the wonderful independent Turkish restaurant in Clifton Road, Effs. We sponsored Oscar Romero summer fair, played in the St Barnabas Hospice golf day at Ham Manor, and sponsored the rounders tournament at Goring Cricket ground, with funds being raised for St Barnabas. Later that month Aaron finally got engaged! #TimeForANewHat. We also supported Ferring Primary & Goring Primary schools summer fates. The most recent edition of our inhouse magazine Property Profile went into production. This was great because we were able to advertise all of the local small businesses FREE OF CHARGE. I personally loved this…supporting small businesses is more important now that it ever has been.

In the Autumn we were kindly asked to sponsor the Ferring Scarecrow competition (along with our friends at Browns natural pet supplies), Oscar Romero Firework display, South Downs Hill Climb, and we did our own ‘thing’ for mental health awareness day, a subject that is close to my heart. More info to follow on that next year when I embark on a solo swim across the English Channel for YoungMinds. 

We were invited to three BIG award ceremonies to celebrate industry and local business success. I was absolutely delighted to pick up two GOLD awards at the EA Masters for both Sales and Lettings regarding customer service, marketing and results. The Worthing & Adur Business Awards saw us collect the Best Small Business award, and finally at The Negotiator Awards held at Grosvenor House, London, we were awarded a Bronze award for New Agency Of The Year in the UK! What a collection for the trophy cabinet...my Mum was so proud.

Over the past 12 months we’ve had three Prime Ministers, four different housing secretaries, and a rental reform white paper for England. To say it’s been a changeable, and at times challenging year would be a fair description! Having said that, here at J&J HQ we have completed sales on well over 150 properties from humble flats to marvellous detached residences on private estates.

I’m often asked what my predictions are for next year. In truth, no one can correctly predict the future. The one thing that I can predict is that Jim, Nick, Aaron, Vikki ,Jo & Eileen (oh and myself), will continue to deliver brilliances, and will not leave any stone unturned in the drive for going above and beyond for our customers, local organisations and charities, and ultimately the community that we so proudly call our own.

So for now from me, it’s a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to one and all.

Stay kind, humble, and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

God bless,

James.