Not many people can say they’ve built an 18-year career with the company they joined as a teenager. For Development Manager Rhys Brown, what started as his first job at 16, working a few hours a week in the onsite gym, has grown into a career managing developments, leading teams and supporting resident communities.
Joining the team at Royal Earlswood Park in 2008, Rhys initially worked just three hours a week in the gym. He embraced the role as an opportunity to learn, quickly getting to know the development and the people who called it home. Keen to broaden his skills and take on more responsibility, he pursued a Leisure Management qualification, recognising the value it could bring to a development with extensive leisure facilities. Working on the frontline gave him valuable insight into both the operation of the site and the resident experience.
The relationships he built and the understanding he gained during those early years laid the foundation for a career that would take him from leisure operations into site management and, ultimately, the role of Development Manager.
As Rhys’ responsibilities grew, so too did his commitment to professional development, undertaking further training to broaden his knowledge of property management, as well as health and safety. Building on his Leisure Management qualification, he’s achieved Level 3 TPI accreditation and has his sights set on Level 4, the highest qualification available through The Property Institute. He also undertook COSHH training, building the expertise and confidence to take on broader operational responsibilities.
His first Development Manager role came at Park 25, before he gained experience at several other developments across the business.
Royal Earlswood Park, however, was never far away. After broadening his experience elsewhere, he returned to the development where his career began, bringing with him fresh perspectives and a wealth of operational knowledge.
Community at the heart
Today, Rhys oversees a team of four full-time colleagues and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Royal Earlswood Park. Supporting colleagues across administration, maintenance and resident services, he plays a central role in keeping the development running smoothly and ensuring residents receive a high standard of service.
Alongside the operational side of the role, community engagement remains one of his biggest passions. Over the years, he has organised a range of resident events, from Easter celebrations to Christmas fundraisers, creating opportunities for neighbours to connect and spend time together.
Most recently, this summer he organised a fete on site, to raise money for a one-year-old resident who had been diagnosed with cancer. Rhys worked with local businesses and suppliers to secure support for the event, helping bring the community together behind a cause that resonated with many residents. The fete raised more than £2,000, demonstrating the strength of community spirit within Royal Earlswood Park and the willingness of residents and local businesses alike to support one another during difficult times.
Finding reward in the role
For Rhys, one of the most rewarding aspects of the role is its variety. From supporting his team to helping residents overcome day-to-day challenges, no two days are the same, and it’s the opportunity to make a positive difference that keeps the role interesting.
Nearly two decades after joining the business as a 16-year-old working a few hours a week in the gym, Rhys still finds the greatest satisfaction in the people side of the job, working closely with residents and colleagues, staying connected to the community and seeing the impact of his work first-hand.
It’s a fitting full-circle moment for someone whose career began getting to know the residents of Royal Earlswood Park and who now plays a key role in shaping the community they call home.
